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Meet newly appointed Himalayan Import Chaplain, Lama Jigme Rinpoche. Pix, story.
- Thread starter Bill Martino
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 8, 1999
- Messages
- 8,911
"What has this got to do with khukuris? Everything!" William Martino
Personally I think ( IMHO ) that it's got something to do with reality in the east being different from reality in the west. It can't be explained, but must be experienced.
Also, at some point after the industrial revolution in the west, when blades were being stamped out one after the other, the spirit in the blade somehow disappeared and was not expected or looked for.
That is why the forged by hand khuks from HI come as a shock to the western mind when a newbie gets the right khuk. They've got a spirit, a personality to them. You'll hear phrases like "The knife picks it's user." Or "Listen to the knife and it will teach you." Those who don't understand this simply haven't had the opportunity to come to terms with the reality of the mystical. ( Five years working on the reservation that produced the Ghost Dance of the 1890's fixed that for me. )
For anyone looking to find a good copy of the Tibetan Book of the Dead, I've been reading The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche ( revised and updated ), trade softcover edition, copyright 2002, Harper San Francisco, ISBN 0-06-250834-2. USA$17.95 CAN$27.50
Personally I think ( IMHO ) that it's got something to do with reality in the east being different from reality in the west. It can't be explained, but must be experienced.
Also, at some point after the industrial revolution in the west, when blades were being stamped out one after the other, the spirit in the blade somehow disappeared and was not expected or looked for.
That is why the forged by hand khuks from HI come as a shock to the western mind when a newbie gets the right khuk. They've got a spirit, a personality to them. You'll hear phrases like "The knife picks it's user." Or "Listen to the knife and it will teach you." Those who don't understand this simply haven't had the opportunity to come to terms with the reality of the mystical. ( Five years working on the reservation that produced the Ghost Dance of the 1890's fixed that for me. )
For anyone looking to find a good copy of the Tibetan Book of the Dead, I've been reading The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche ( revised and updated ), trade softcover edition, copyright 2002, Harper San Francisco, ISBN 0-06-250834-2. USA$17.95 CAN$27.50
This is not a completely homogenous place. ( if I spelled that right) There are differences in opinion about politics, weapons, religion, (though not many I've seen) and what the forum should be. The things in common are mostly strong spirit, big hearts, great intelligence, and the focal point bringing these individuals together; the khukuri from HI.
I figure people can disregard what they can't or won't use.
munk
edit; personally, I'm damn excited there is a man here with enough guts and conviction to spend nine years praying in a cave. Most people couldn't watch TV for nine years in a cave.
I figure people can disregard what they can't or won't use.
munk
edit; personally, I'm damn excited there is a man here with enough guts and conviction to spend nine years praying in a cave. Most people couldn't watch TV for nine years in a cave.
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2000
- Messages
- 3,708
Hey Rusty, that's the one I started reading too
I'm not very far along, but I'm really enjoying it!! I think this is one that Uncle recomended awhile back, but I can't find his email in my folder anymore so I'm not sure...I'm also reading a great book called "Novice to Master: an ongoing lesson in the extent of my own stupidity" by Soko Morinaga. Excellent book by an elder japanese Zen master--Basically his life story from wet behind the ears 20year old to older experienced master and all the trials of monastic life along the way. Very intersting and funny to read!
""personally, I'm damn excited there is a man here with enough guts and conviction to spend nine years praying in a cave. Most people couldn't watch TV for nine years in a cave.""Munk
I agree!
From the LITTLE I've read and learned of (Tibetan and Zen) Buddhism it seems that they believe that we all are born perfect, with the perfect state of mind, free from all attachments and an open clear heart that sees all without clinging to anything that gives us pain, while not missing things that give us joy. The rigourous practice (meditating in caves or elsewhere and other things)is designed to let us see what was there (like an open door) for us all along, and indeed was inside of us all along. Like peeling an onion down until you reach the center---or in this case the pure Buddha nature. The practice just allows them to see, realize, and live in a state of peace with their own minds and the world.
Not a bad way to go if you ask me...
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2000
- Messages
- 1,077
Welcome!
If it's not too much trouble, could Lama Jigme relate some of his experiences from time to time, please? I'm sure forumites would be enriched by his stories.
If it's not too much trouble, could Lama Jigme relate some of his experiences from time to time, please? I'm sure forumites would be enriched by his stories.
- Joined
- Mar 5, 1999
- Messages
- 34,096
Beo is putting up a website for our Chaplain and knowing how Beo works I think a rough draft will be ready very soon. Here there will be a lot more information and pix. Anybody who wants info or needs help from the Lama can email him c/o me. Just put attn: Lama Jigme on subject line.
As a newcomer to this forum i can say this;When first discovering
these pages,I found it so very exciting to read about more than just
a blade.There is magic in a blade when things come together,but where would it be without the man or woman using it.It would be no more than a rock beside a path.As for tibettan religion,they have captured a piece of the real thing, relegionwise.For one i can not see them killing people, trying to impose their beliefs on others.
Being a european I still remember lessons in history about the crusades.We gave the moslims some education in one way thinking,and
look they are taking us up on it.Violence without good reason will beget more violence,who will stop it?
To everybody;have a very peacefull year,and be healthy.
greetings Karels.
these pages,I found it so very exciting to read about more than just
a blade.There is magic in a blade when things come together,but where would it be without the man or woman using it.It would be no more than a rock beside a path.As for tibettan religion,they have captured a piece of the real thing, relegionwise.For one i can not see them killing people, trying to impose their beliefs on others.
Being a european I still remember lessons in history about the crusades.We gave the moslims some education in one way thinking,and
look they are taking us up on it.Violence without good reason will beget more violence,who will stop it?
To everybody;have a very peacefull year,and be healthy.
greetings Karels.
- Joined
- Mar 5, 1999
- Messages
- 34,096
I'll try to get pix of the Dorje Gute puja tomorrow and explain it the best I can. I know maybe ten words of Tibetan and Jigme is very limited in his English. Samten, assistant Lama, must translate. He's pretty good but something is always lost in translations. Example: Look at the sword n2s ordered!!!!
- Joined
- May 16, 2002
- Messages
- 4,437
Now score a few sherpas and yer all set! Sounds cool, makes me reallyl want ot get down there for the Reno Convention. What an honor to meet such a man!
Keith
Keith
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2002
- Messages
- 3,930
Speaking of Lamas Uncle Bill, if you get a chance, please send my thanks again to Lama Duptchok Rinpoche (humblest apologies if I mispelled his name). I still faithfully carry his Sungde in the little leather pouch I made for it over in Afghanistan.
I just got home from my Christmas visit with the family, a 2,300 mile round trip, just me and my little dog in my pickup, with my Sungde in my pocket, and my 12" AK behind the seat. Not only did I have a great visit, but I never suffered so much as a bout of indigestion, and my truck ran like a fresh oiled Swiss watch. Call me superstitious if you like, I'll make up my own mind about that.
Greg
I just got home from my Christmas visit with the family, a 2,300 mile round trip, just me and my little dog in my pickup, with my Sungde in my pocket, and my 12" AK behind the seat. Not only did I have a great visit, but I never suffered so much as a bout of indigestion, and my truck ran like a fresh oiled Swiss watch. Call me superstitious if you like, I'll make up my own mind about that.
Greg
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2001
- Messages
- 20,978
munk - I'm on your side on this one...
I just opted out of flying for a business trip.
Instead, I'm going to drive (MD to GA).
It's about 680 each way (about 12-13 hrs) but having more than 200,000+ on my rear behind a wheel already, what's another ~1400?
I'll get to take my family with me as well as see the countryside. Don't get me wrong, flying is sometimes the only way to go (like when I went to Hawaii...
). Just that if I have a choice, I'd rather be connected to the ground.
Even if it means a few road-side disasters now and then...
Dan
I just opted out of flying for a business trip.
Instead, I'm going to drive (MD to GA).
It's about 680 each way (about 12-13 hrs) but having more than 200,000+ on my rear behind a wheel already, what's another ~1400?
I'll get to take my family with me as well as see the countryside. Don't get me wrong, flying is sometimes the only way to go (like when I went to Hawaii...
). Just that if I have a choice, I'd rather be connected to the ground.Even if it means a few road-side disasters now and then...
Dan
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2002
- Messages
- 3,930
Munk,
It depends on where I'm going and why. When I go home for Christmas I drive, 'cause I'm always hauling a bunch of stuff there and back. Besides that, I couldn't subject my dog to being stuffed in a crate in a cargo hold.
A long drive can be exhausting and frazzle your nerves pretty bad. Then again, so can a plane trip. If I had to make a recommendation, it would be this, go with what you know will be safest for you. After all, the whole point is to get there and back.
Sarge
It depends on where I'm going and why. When I go home for Christmas I drive, 'cause I'm always hauling a bunch of stuff there and back. Besides that, I couldn't subject my dog to being stuffed in a crate in a cargo hold.
A long drive can be exhausting and frazzle your nerves pretty bad. Then again, so can a plane trip. If I had to make a recommendation, it would be this, go with what you know will be safest for you. After all, the whole point is to get there and back.
Sarge
- Joined
- Mar 5, 1999
- Messages
- 34,096
Going by plane --
When I was kid with a fresh pilot's license things were not quite as sophisticated as they are today. Example: I had a license and had never flown an airplane with a radio in it.
Pilot's used to have a couple of sayings back then: "Time to spare go by air" -- with the new and bumbling security systems (right 75% of the time) this saying may be back in vogue again.
Our Airmans ID card issued by the CAA was blue -- saying, "when the sky matches the color of your ID card you can fly."
And from the early days of Flight Test -- "if God had wanted man to fly we'd have feathers."
When I was kid with a fresh pilot's license things were not quite as sophisticated as they are today. Example: I had a license and had never flown an airplane with a radio in it.
Pilot's used to have a couple of sayings back then: "Time to spare go by air" -- with the new and bumbling security systems (right 75% of the time) this saying may be back in vogue again.
Our Airmans ID card issued by the CAA was blue -- saying, "when the sky matches the color of your ID card you can fly."
And from the early days of Flight Test -- "if God had wanted man to fly we'd have feathers."
- Joined
- Mar 5, 1999
- Messages
- 34,096
I like it.
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2002
- Messages
- 3,674
My perspective certainly has changed. This pic illustrates what I now consider to be a normal sized trail knife alongside my former backpack knife that I used to think of as "big." The M7 has been replaced by an 18" Kobra that can do 20 times the work with far less effort.
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2001
- Messages
- 1,780
Added commentary for the opening of the Padma Rigzinling Nyingmapa Monastery photos, and 'portrait shots' of Lama Jigme and Assistant Lama Samten:
HI Lama Photo page
HI Lama Photo page