His Eminence Menri Lopon Thrinley Nyima Rinpoche helps a student during the annual exams at Menri Monastery in India. Photo credit: Unknown
Adding Virtue to Everyday Actions
MA TRI mantra above a doorway. Photo credit: Unknown
From the Dechok Rinchen Dronma’i Phen Yön, The Benefits of the Recitation Practice of the Precious Lamp, also known as The Thirty-two Benefits of the MA TRI Mantra:
“(6) This recitation practice is a precious lamp. Anyone who has generated the mind of compassion, if they write out the mantra and put it above the doorway of the retreat place or throughout the community, then just by entering these places one will attain liberation. Entering practice is the benefit of this precious lamp.”
~Translation from Tibetan to English by Raven Cypress Wood ©All Rights Reserved
The MA TRI mantra is one of the three essence mantras of the Yungdrung Bön tradition. The complete mantra is:་OM MA TRI MU YÉ SA LÉ DU.
The Yellow Monk’s Hat
Gathering of monks at Menri Monastery. Photo credit: Unknown
The yellow hat is one of the necessary religious articles of clothing for a monk. Each detail of the hat is symbolic. For example, “the clear, deep blue lining of the inside symbolizes the Bönku, the empty aspect of the Bön essence, the source of all phenomena. The yellow, feathered tassles along the length of the very top symbolize the Enlightened Ones of the good eon continuously being at the top of one’s head. The countless, yellow threads standing parallel symbolize hearing the limitless collection of the cycle of teachings.
Yungdrung Bon lamas with their yellow hats. Photo credit: Unknown
The four corners beyond the ear symbolize taming those who are not trained through the four qualities which positively influence others. (These four are 1) Generosity, 2) Gentle speech, 3) Meaningful activity, and 4) Having one’s actions be consistent with one’s words.) The encircling red cord symbolizes condensing into one the many doors of Bön.”
Translated from Tibetan by Raven Cypress Wood© All Rights Reserved
The Knowledgeable and Compassionate Guide
HE Menri Lopon Thrinley Nyima Rinpoche leads a ceremony at Menri Monastery in India. Photo credit: Unknown
Nine Ways 