Wrapping up 10 weeks of Pilgrimage on the trails of Buddhist Holy sites in India before moving to Bhutan.

Insights from a Conversation with Lama Matthieu Ricard held at Shechen Monastery, Kathmandu, Saturday 27th January 2024.

The world’s happiest Monk encourages us to give a kick to our karma and not wait for things to happen just because there is a “karma”. Karma is action and wholesome actions are exactly that which activate good karma.

Here we go…

Shechen Monastery: https://shechen.org/

Matthieu Ricard: https://www.matthieuricard.org/en/about/

Insights and reflections on a six-weeks long full immersion in Bodhgaya energies, a meet-up with the HHDL and surroundings atmosphere of the world’s most Buddhist city, the city of enlightment, a holy place with contrasts, paradoxes and lots of good vibrations. When this happens, the karma activates its energies and you got to flow with them...

Conversation #13 with Ani-La is a refreshing moment with a young novice Nun recently ordained in the Gelug-pa school of the Tibetan Tradition. Considering that Mahayana Buddhism offers a variety of ways for women to enter the Monastic life it also encourages them to develop the aspiration of studying Dharma and Tibetan language as their male peers. Ani-la demeanour expresses determination and lightness and it is pleasant to listen to her telling her how she came about to choose this journey.

The conversation was recorded outdoors, on a busy roadside cafe of Bodhgaya. Mindfulness and concentration are definitely up for this one.

The conversation is available in French (look for Conversation #12)

Nalanda Monastery (Fr): http://nalanda-monastery.eu

Kopan Monastery (Nepal); http://www.kopanmonastery.com

This episode is both in French and English - Published separately. (look for Conversation #13)

Conversation #12 est une exclusive en français pour nos auditeurs francophones. Ani-la est une nonne novice de l’ecole Gelug-pa de la traditition Tibetaine. Le Boudhisme Mahayana offrant d'amples opportunités moniales pour les femmes, Ani-la nous presente le parcours qu’elle a choisi: apprendre le Tibetain et poursuivre des études approfondies du Dharma.

Ecoutons-la ensemble!

https://nalanda-monastery.eu

http://kopanmonastery.com

Conversation #11 is all about compassion in action. From the slums of Central India to Tasmania and back again to India, the dedication that Ayya Yeshe puts forward for being by the side of underprivileged, looking after the betterment of their livelihoods and maximise their chances for a stable future out of poverty is inspiring. Her determination is fierce and fills her purpose as a Buddhist Nun, either when she advocates for women in robes or when she opens up about how the three poisons ( greed, ill-will and delusion) that continue to feed the engine of our world.

https://bodhicitta-monastery.com/

https://bodhicitta-vihara.com/

Shop ethically and support a Member of the Bodhicitta Family: https://bodhicitta-vihara.com/shop/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/537645493857957

Conversation #10 is entirely dedicated on Eco-Dhamma, interconnectedness between humans and the planet. With Pallavi a #verifiedchampion on Sustainability and small business owner of the The Ecoloop Shop in Dubai, we also scan on the recent COP28 final report.

This conversation advocates clean energy, green buildings, passive houses, and carbon zero footprint and recalls most of the critical yet small behavioural changes that all of us can re-learn in our lives. 

Published in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India, December 22d 2023. 

Pallavi’s Podcast and Shop

More on Eco-Dhamma:

- David Loy, books or podcasts.

- Theravada Maha Thera Ajahn Sucitto: Buddha-Nature, Human Nature;

Conversation #9 with Swamini Vishwa Nireeshwari Lakshmi Priya Mata is a full immersion int hepower of devotion of oneself to a guru. With beautiful and to some extend emotional energy Swamini shares how she unfolded her connection to her Guru and resolved to follow him, fully.

The next 15 minutes are a powerful reminder that once connected to a Guru, the flow is all about devotional practice. Let’s listen to Swamini...

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Find us on YouTube: Dhammaonthesidewalk108

Dhamma Capsule on Happiness: Isn’t the why more important than the what? Why is that.

Reflections and suggestions.

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Find us on YouTube: Dhammaonthesidewalk108

Conversation #8 with Vagaboots is a storytelling account of a 1,811km walk across India turned into a pilgrimage. A fresh account roadsides adventures sprinkled with the exploration of the mind as the meditative journey unfolded.

Antonio’s resolve to follow his heart revealed a multitude of facets of the cultural background of India as well as the simplicity of accepting what comes and leaving what isn’t no longer needed.

The storytelling is also a photographic journey available to browse on his Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/antoniodivicophoto

Let’s listen to Antonio

https://www.instagram.com/iamvagaboots/

Find us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dhamma_on_the_sidewalk/

YouTube :https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC50KYNF345j552UPaSvU9Qw