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Choe Khor Sum Ling members and others with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dharamsala, India 2013. Photo courtesy of CKSL.
Choe Khor Sum Ling (CKSL) is an active and enthusiastic FPMT study group in Bangalore, India. In June 2013, several CKSL members attended teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India. It was a special teaching for Indian students on Shantideva’s Bodhicharyavatara (Bodhisattva’s Way of Life).
In August, study group coordinator Shanti Yajnik sent Mandala a piece written by one of the group’s members about his experiences receiving teachings at CKSL. Nidhi Aggarwal first came into contact with FPMT in November 2010 at the “Introduction to Buddhism” course at Tushita Meditation Centre in Dharamsala and has continued develop his understanding of lam-rim and other Buddhist teachings at CKSL. Nidhi writes:
Just to let you know, the first turning of the Wheel of Dharma for me in this lifetime was back in 2001, when I visited Sarnath and picked up a booklet on four noble truths. So, I shall call FPMT the second turning in this life!!! As I see it, the visit to Sarnath left an imprint in my mindstream, which ripened when I fell in love with His Holiness Dalai Lama’s autobiography, Freedom in Exile. I was never able to associate with a sect or guru, however, His Holiness’ smile, compassion and sense of humor went straight to my heart. His teachings were so logical to my deluded mind that I wanted to explore the teachings of the Buddha.
CKSL holds weekend teachings in Bangalore and I have been quasi-regular at the center for one and a half years now. What brings me back each time are the teachings from the venerables [who are Sangha members living at IMI House and studying at Sera Monastery]. They have made me question the mistaken view of grasping at ‘I’ and phenomena. The teachings on the stages of the path to enlightenment have engrossed me intellectually and as a way out of cyclic existence of samsara. Most of the other teachings that I have attended have focused on the nature of the mind, mind’s infinite potential or mind transformation. The teaching style of the venerables is commendable. If I was ever taught with so much dedication, perseverance, patience and motivation in engineering school or management college, I certainly would be working with NASA or McKinsey.
The Mahayana motivation of enlightenment for the sake of all mother sentient beings is at the core of the teachings. This conceptually annihilates my twenty years of education and another over ten years of work experience, competing each day for self-serving motives. Another teaching that deserves mention herein is the guru devotion – seeing our guru in the aspect of the Buddha. … It is extremely important to have living examples of our highest aspirations and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is a living buddha of our times. I have been fortunate enough to receive his blessings in the way of teachings and initiations directly from him. I see him as father taking care of all my future lifetimes. I wish that all his holy aspirations be fulfilled spontaneously without a moment’s delay and wish him a very long and stable life for the benefit of all sentient beings.
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