Difference between revisions of "When the Iron Bird flies and horses run on wheels, the Tibetan people will be scattered like ants across the world."
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| − | ===When the Iron Bird flies and horses run on wheels, the Tibetan people will be scattered like ants across the world=== | + | ===When the {{Wiki|Iron}} {{Wiki|Bird}} flies and [[horses]] run on [[wheels]], the [[Tibetan people]] will be scattered like ants across the [[world]]=== |
| − | —Eighth Century Tibetan Prophecy | + | —Eighth Century [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|Prophecy}} |
| − | My first contact with Tibetan Buddhists was as an interviewer working in the Tibetan refugee communities of Northern India. I was recording testimonies of torture and brutality in Chinese-run prisons in Tibet. The survivors I spoke with displayed an uncanny ability to come to terms with the agonies they had | + | My first [[contact]] with [[Tibetan Buddhists]] was as an interviewer working in the [[Tibetan]] refugee communities of [[Northern India]]. I was recording testimonies of torture and brutality in Chinese-run prisons [[in Tibet]]. The survivors I spoke with displayed an uncanny ability to come to terms with the agonies they had |
| − | experienced. Their suffering was undeniable, and yet neither were they vengeful nor were their spirits broken. They remained radiant and resilient, often even expressing compassion for their oppressors. What was their secret? They answered again and again, “It was my faith in Buddhism.” | + | [[experienced]]. Their [[suffering]] was undeniable, and yet neither were they vengeful nor were their [[spirits]] broken. They remained radiant and resilient, often even expressing [[compassion]] for their oppressors. What was their secret? They answered again and again, “It was my [[faith]] in [[Buddhism]].” |
| − | A true test of any spiritual practice must be whether it can help you in times of crisis. It was clear from the Tibetans with whom I spoke that their worldview provides a perspective from which a deep and holistic understanding of existence, with its joys and its sufferings, can be built. For Tibetan | + | A true test of any [[spiritual practice]] must be whether it can help you in times of crisis. It was clear from the [[Tibetans]] with whom I spoke that their worldview provides a {{Wiki|perspective}} from which a deep and {{Wiki|holistic}} [[understanding]] of [[existence]], with its joys and its [[sufferings]], can be built. For [[Tibetan Buddhists]], daily [[life]] is an aspect of [[spiritual practice]] rather than the other way around—as is so often the case in [[Western]] [[society]], and it is both |
| − | + | inspiring and challenging to [[experience]] a {{Wiki|culture}} in which the [[highest]] [[ambition]] is to become a [[human]] [[embodiment]] of [[compassion]] and the [[highest]] vocation is to develop the necessary [[wisdom]] to achieve this. | |
| − | + | This [[book]] does not attempt to be a comprehensive guide, for [[Tibetan Buddhism]] is a vast and multifaceted arena (the [[Buddhist canon]] from which [[Tibetan Buddhism]] evolved is larger than the {{Wiki|Encyclopedia}} Brittanica'). I have, however, attempted to cover the fundamentals of this system within the limits of my | |
| − | + | [[understanding]], in a straightforward and informative manner as a foundation for further study. Ironically, the [[treasure]] of [[Tibetan Buddhism]] has come into our hands because it is being destroyed in its homeland. The {{Wiki|Chinese}} {{Wiki|occupation}} of [[Tibet]] has [[caused]] a [[spiritual]] {{Wiki|diaspora}} of [[Tibetan Buddhist]] teachings | |
| − | + | around the {{Wiki|planet}}. In these times, we have an unprecedented opportunity to learn from this [[tradition]], and whichever [[spiritual path]] we ultimately follow, I believe that we will forever be richer for having done so. | |
| − | |||
| − | around the planet. In these times, we have an unprecedented opportunity to learn from this tradition, and whichever spiritual path we ultimately follow, I believe that we will forever be richer for having done so. | ||
Latest revision as of 14:42, 30 January 2020
by Rebecca McClen Novick
When the Iron Bird flies and horses run on wheels, the Tibetan people will be scattered like ants across the world
—Eighth Century Tibetan Prophecy
My first contact with Tibetan Buddhists was as an interviewer working in the Tibetan refugee communities of Northern India. I was recording testimonies of torture and brutality in Chinese-run prisons in Tibet. The survivors I spoke with displayed an uncanny ability to come to terms with the agonies they had
experienced. Their suffering was undeniable, and yet neither were they vengeful nor were their spirits broken. They remained radiant and resilient, often even expressing compassion for their oppressors. What was their secret? They answered again and again, “It was my faith in Buddhism.”
A true test of any spiritual practice must be whether it can help you in times of crisis. It was clear from the Tibetans with whom I spoke that their worldview provides a perspective from which a deep and holistic understanding of existence, with its joys and its sufferings, can be built. For Tibetan Buddhists, daily life is an aspect of spiritual practice rather than the other way around—as is so often the case in Western society, and it is both
inspiring and challenging to experience a culture in which the highest ambition is to become a human embodiment of compassion and the highest vocation is to develop the necessary wisdom to achieve this.
This book does not attempt to be a comprehensive guide, for Tibetan Buddhism is a vast and multifaceted arena (the Buddhist canon from which Tibetan Buddhism evolved is larger than the Encyclopedia Brittanica'). I have, however, attempted to cover the fundamentals of this system within the limits of my
understanding, in a straightforward and informative manner as a foundation for further study. Ironically, the treasure of Tibetan Buddhism has come into our hands because it is being destroyed in its homeland. The Chinese occupation of Tibet has caused a spiritual diaspora of Tibetan Buddhist teachings
around the planet. In these times, we have an unprecedented opportunity to learn from this tradition, and whichever spiritual path we ultimately follow, I believe that we will forever be richer for having done so.
