(From the Chapter: Me and The Mahasiddha)
Pages 214-216, A Path Strewn With Flowers & Bones

Being respectful is actually an essential practice, a precursor to the development of clear faith, and not just a praiseworthy quality or hollow ritual.

My introduction to the first edition of this book, published in 2007, began with a caution against denigrating liturgical literature in the Buddhist tradition. I explained that every major Tibetan lineage of Buddhism treats study, reflection, and meditation as a seamless continuum of spiritual training, in which prayer recitation plays an integral role.

Click here to download the text of “The Aspiration for Excellent Conduct” from the monlam book

Words of Aspiration to the Beating of My Heart:

Yearning for the Swift Return of A Reincarnation

A Message to My Beloved Friends:

One thing we should understand in terms of the view of interdependence is that each and every phenomenon has its own source and reason for being. And so there is a reason why we have come to know one another so well and become such good friends. The reason for this is the presence of conducive conditions and the existence of outstanding aspirations; we can be quite sure about that. Because of our connection that springs from conducive conditions and fine aspirations, whenever any one of us goes through difficult times, the rest of us step forward and try to help out as much as we can.

In recent years, all of you friends, wherever you may be found throughout the world, have provided incredible support to Lama Sang and indeed to all of our projects, and shown utmost concern for us in every possible way. Your kindness is indelible and always will be remembered. In keeping with the current situation, speaking as the representative of body, speech and mind of our precious guru Orgyen Kusum Lingpa, I wish to offer my sincere thanks, one hundred times over, for the kindness of all of Lama Rinpoche's students, wherever you may be found all over the world.

by Lama Sherab Dorje, at the 1st Buddhism in America Conference 1997

(A participant asked Lama Sherab Dorje what he thought the average person in America would find appealing about "trying to visualize themselves as some guy wearing strange clothes and a funny hat?")