Mangala Shri Bhuti - The Link

Speaker: Morgan Starr. Morgan describes how navigating personal challenges has allowed him to explore the idea of turning toward suffering rather than avoiding it. Leaning into grief and heartbreak rather than resisting or numbing it has opened the door to compassion, presence, and growth. He recalls a sense of sacredness and wonder he felt in early life, which has faded over time but is now restored through his spiritual practice with MSB. Morgan recounts multiple quotes from Rinpoche about pain, which, when met with courage and curiosity, can serve as the gateway to liberation. Choosing to soften, lighten up, and cultivate self-awareness and love for others can create spaciousness and clarity even in moments of heartbreak.

Speaker: Dungse Jampal Norbu. This LINK was originally given on August 2, 2015. In this talk, Dungse-la describes how careful introspection coupled with the study of karma cultivates choice, changes perceptions, clears habitual tendencies and creates one's environment.

Speaker: Stanton Dossett. Stanton contemplates the phrase, ‘connecting the dots’, used by Rinpoche in his book The Intelligent Heart. The first dot is suffering. For Stanton, it is only with the aid of daily practice that the dots become connectable, and the relationship between self-importance and negative karma can be understood. When walking one day in his local neighbourhood, Stanton had a sudden, vivid insight that everyone wishes, just like him, for happiness and to be free of suffering. Contemplating this insight and the aspiration of the Buddha to become enlightened for the benefit of all beings was a profound experience that stayed with him on the MSB Dana pilgrimage to Bodhgaya. Aware of the passage of time, Stanton encourages us to ask ourselves, as he does, "At what point do I commit completely to the aspiration of the Buddha, putting Dharma at the centre of my life?"

Speaker: Deborah Crouse. Deborah expresses her gratitude for the many resources that are available for practice and study and for the way Rinpoche has organized MSB to support his students. Some examples include the Study and Practice Representatives, Lobpons and Khenchungs who lead classes year round. She recalls Rinpoche saying that the point of study is certitude and study helps us untangle the knots. Because he is passionate about his students learning to study correctly, Deborah discusses his ‘How to Study’ guide, which provides detailed methods of study using the three wisdoms of hearing, contemplating and meditating. She also remembers Rinpoche saying that when we are able to grasp concepts previously unknown, we can fill the storehouse of our alaya with the “gold coins of wisdom” that will serve us on our path both now and in future lives. Finally, Deborah reminds us of how rare it is to find a teacher in the west who so generously offers word for word transmissions of classical texts in both Tibetan and English, as well as detailed commentaries.

Speaker: Deborah Haynes. In this second installment on the topic of death, Deborah recounts many losses experienced throughout her life. These include the recent death of her spouse and her son's current, terminal illness. These encounters with suffering and impermanence inform her Dharma path and animate her daily practice. Deborah's Buddhist path is the aspiration to meet whatever arises, both now and in lifetimes to come, with unwavering fearlessness and compassion.