And The Young Shall Lead Them

I deliberately stayed out of the discussion on the last post so I could enjoy and ponder your wonderful responses without swaying things one way or another. Based on that, we’ll have another round of Deep Dostoevsky Thoughts later this weekend (Oh boy, Konchog! D’ya mean it?).

But for now, I want to celebrate one of those who, instead of being called “children,” Jetsunma calls our “short practitioners.”

This past Saturday, thanks to detailed instructions typed up and sent by Brother Palzang, we conducted a training session for those wanting to learn, and be responsible for, the ritual details of the extended Shower of Blessings practice. The one performing this duty is called a chöpon in Tibetan. It’s kind of like an advanced degree altar boy or girl. With this person in place, we can perform the ganachakra, or feast offering section of the practice. It’s really quite lovely and powerful and I’m excited to include it in our repertoire.

About a dozen people came, and we carefully went through the details for two hours. At the end, I asked, “So, who’s brave enough to be the head chöpon?” One hand shot up – 14-year old Minjimaa. Somehow I knew it would be her and I enthusiastically accepted her into the position. She’s the niece of Darisuren, the group leader. She had a bit of a rocky start to her life (hence her living with her aunt) but I find her to be level-headed, wonderfully inquisitive about the Dharma, responsible, and fearless. Also adorable. Here’s my altar girl:

My plan now is to assign our other 14-year old superstar, Enkhsovd, to be her assistant. It is, after all, these young ladies who will carry the Dharma into Mongolia’s future. I think it will also be inspiring for the assembly to see them so involved in the practice. I’m very, very proud of them. Their debut will be this Thursday the 26th, the 10th day of the lunar calendar.

In other news, three more women informed me Wednesday night (where we had a packed house of about 60 for the teaching) that they had finished their initial 10,000 Seven Line Prayers. And Glenn, against all odds and reason, did in fact give me Soyolmaa’s Danzan Ravjaa thangka. He now oversees my morning practice:

Comments

[Carol of Seattle]

Okay, so I lurked on the Dostoyevsky stuff, but I have to weigh in and say this is lovely.

[Palzang]

That's great to get the young ones so involved. As choponing involves doing something physical, it'll make it more interesting for them to participate in the practice. But how did you explain the tsog torma shape to them? :)

[Konchog]

Well, Palzang, I did drawl and scuff my toe in the dust a little, but then I told 'em straight: gotta look like a dakini's booby. All the ladies just nodded and took down the note. Not even a snicker from the young 'uns.