Buddhist Retreat

Photo is one I took of the Ven. Phakyab Rinpoche at the Rime Buddhist Center in Kansas City, Missouri this morning. He was about to give us the Wrathful Guru Rinpoche Initiation. It was an interesting experience.

The more I learn about Tibetan Buddhism the more I see how little I know. It's so much more rich and complex than what I imagined. It's a journey, one I'm willing to take. There is much logic married with compassion within Buddhism and was a driver for my interest into this religion and philosophy. Am I religious? I never have been. More spiritual and philosophical. This is the first religion I've dedicated myself to. Some of it is a bit foreign to a Westerner such as all the deities, a bit against logic (in my mind) so I'm struggling with these aspects. But, if nothing else, Buddhism is a wonderful philosophy where compassion for others and yourself is part of its foundation.
More on deities in Buddhism:http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/history/deities.htm(Buddhanet is an excellent resource for information on Buddhism.)

A little bit about the Rinpoche and this weekend's retreat (from Rime's website):
The acclaimed Tibetan Buddhist lama and healer, Ven. Phakyab Rinpoche, returns
to the Rime Center to offer teachings on Lojong (“mind training”), Atisha’s famed mind-training slogans that use our difficulties and problems to awaken our hearts.
The weekend teaching also includes “Wrathful Guru Rinpoche Initiation.” Its purpose is: to remove obstacles, provide protection from demons and maras. This is considered the Highest Tantra.
Phakyab Rinpoche is a ranking Tibetan Buddhist lama in the Gelugpa order. Born in Kham, Tibet in 1966 and ordained at the age of thirteen, Rinpoche began his monastic training at Ashi Monastery in East- ern Tibet before transferring to Sera Mey Monastery in South India where he trained under the tutelage of Ven. Khenpo Lobsang Jamyang and Ven. Khensur Geshe Tinle Topgye. In 1994, he was recognized as the eighth reincarnation of the Phakyab lama, a renowned Buddhist teacher from Eastern Tibet.
Rinpoche is a powerful exemplar of the potential we all have to cultivate the life of the Bodhisattva or spiritual hero. A steadfast advocate of the non-violent resolu- tion of conflict, Rinpoche brings humility, cheer and boundless compassion to his teaching. His personal story of self-healing from several severe medical conditions vividly demonstrates our inherent potential to heal ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally. His radical healing has astonished his doctors, friends and stu- dents alike and serves as a vivid reminder that we all have the ability to transform obstacles into resources for spiritual awakening.