Never look a gift Rinpoche in the mouth

[simon]

Hi all, it's Simon again, the chap who wants to take Refuge.

Firstly, I should like to thank everyone for all the replies and messages of concern, encouragement and support that Firefly and the like have sent me, and to the Administrator who took my message to Rinpoche in the first place.

I have had time to think, not so much about the question of Refuge or no Refuge, but on my behaviour, and I do not like what I see.  What I observed goes something like this:

1. I am looking for the means to take Refuge;
2. I find Rinpoche on Youtube.
3. I write to this Forum.
4. Rinpoche offers straight off to give me Refuge.
and 5.  I GO SLAP IT BACK IN HIS FACE!!!

I now find myself with a small and gentle voice inside of me asking me, "What was all that about?  You got what you asked for, why are you making it more complicated than it need be?  What's really going on here?" 

If I were drowning in a storm at sea, and someone very kindly threw me a lifebelt, how would I react?  Would I grab on to it for all mercy, or would I shout back stupid questions in attempt to see if this kind somebody was kosher or not? 

Guess what I did.

I feel foolish when I see how arrogant and blind I have been, and humbled by the fact that no one in the Forum was so mean as to point this out to me.  You all continued being nice, which is all very, um er, nice.

In the light of this, I humbly apologise to Rinpoche for biting the hand that was offering me so freely something that is so important.  If my questions offended his or anyone else's sensibility, I apologise immediately and sincerely. 

In the meantime, I shall continue comtemplating something round, like my ever-increasing navel.

[Krusty]

Dear Simon,

don`t worry to much. I remember myself, before taking refuge. I only started to learn Dharma and the trust and believe in Dharma and teachers was not as strong as today. So I understand you have had your doubts. And you shall only take things you proofed right for yourself. Taking refuge is not like buying a new car. Especially for a person with a western cultural background. It is a decision that will (hopefully) have a strong effect on the rest of your life.
But think, things don`t happen just like this. You must have a strong connection to Tsem Tulku Rinpoche. There are so many sentient beings, so few humans. Even less people who are healthy and able to read and write. Less people who live in a country where Dharma, teachers and Sangha exist. And of those, less people who get contact with Dharma. And a smaller amount again that is willing to learn and apply. And again a small amount of them is able to learn without having obstacles.
So we certainly must have a huge amount of merit to get in contact with the teachings and even more merit to get refuge or advice personally from a teacher like Tsem Tulku Rinpoche. When I heard you were invited to take refuge with Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, I was so happy for you, it drove tears in my eyes.
I pray for you that you will overcome your doubts.

Sincerly Krusty

PS: And it will be no problem taking refuge with Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, learning what you receive via the net or telephon and as well to go to a Dharma Center in italy and receive teachings there as well. For that is what I`m doing, being lucky enough to have a Dharma Center in Hamburg in the same tradition as Kechara House.
Get Dharma edicted.

Love Krusty

PPS: We have to take the chance, I know from more than one teacher that he would much rather stay in retreat than teach. And it is only due to their compassion that we have the opportunity to learn. I even heard that Lamas who teach are giving away time of their life, they would live longer without instructing others. If that is true I don`t really know and don`t get the logic behind this, but if so, we should be even more grateful being offered the chance (if I`m wrong on this point, please someone correct this immediately).

Krusty

[FireFly]

Yo Simon!

What coincidence! My navel are growing too!! .. eat and sit most of the time.. no execise.. sometimes very jealous of Rinpoche.. especially those VERy nice photos he had.. ha.. no tummy at all! (yet?)

ha.. may Rinpoche Be Good to look at Always..

ps: er.. i am also happy that you have the motivation to take refuge.. that is already very precious and RARE!

Amituofo.

Peng