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Our Last Special Event with Ven. Karma Lekshe
Dhamma Talk and Discussion
with Ven. Karma Lekshe
on the topic of her book:
INTO THE JAWS OF YAMA
Overview
Buddhism places a high degree of emphasis on dying and death.
What is the value of this, and why not just celebrate life?
We’ll meet at Ariyasom Villa for a talk and discussion with author Ven Karma Lekshe Tsomo on the topic of her book.
From Wisdom Books, publisher of Into the Jaws of Yama by Karma Lekshe Tsomo:
A fascinating exploration of the Buddhist view of death and its implications for contemporary bioethics. Written primarily from within the Tibetan tradition, the author discusses Buddhist notions of human consciousness and personal identity and how these figure in the Buddhist view of death. Beliefs about death and enlightenment and states between life and death are also discussed. Tsomo goes on to examine such hot topics as cloning, abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia, organ donation, genetic engineering, and stem-cell research within a Buddhist context, introducing new ways of thinking about these highly controversial issues.
“This is an extremely clear, cogent, compassionate, and well-written survey of Buddhist philosophical, religious, ethical, and practical perspectives on the question of death and dying. The author does a marvelous job presenting not only the range of traditional views, but also some of the contemporary conversations and debates being held both in Asia and the West about this timely topic.” Beata Grant.
Schedule
- 1:00pm Gather at Ariyasom
- 1:30pm Dharma talk with Ven. Karma Lekshe on the topic of her book Into the Jaws of Yama
- 2:45pm Refreshments
- 3:00pm ‘Cappuccino Club’ meeting – this is an informal format to share views and understandings on the topic of death and dying
- 3:45pm Finish
There is no charge for this event and no need to make advance reservation. Donations will be contributed to the traveling expenses of the visiting teacher.
About the Topic
Death and dying is very important in Buddhism, as a reflection that puts our life and behaviour into perspective. It is said to ‘have a footing in Enllightenment’. Mindfulness of your mortality should re-prioritize your perspective, and encourage you to work in the right way to make good karma and have a positive influence on those around you and the world.
“Mindfulness of death, when developed & pursued, is of great fruit & great benefit. It gains a footing in the Deathless, has the Deathless as its final end. Therefore you should develop mindfulness of death.” Maranassati Sutta
If you have come face to face with your own mortality, have been close to someone during the dying process, or work in fields close to the topic, this will be a good event for you. It is an integral part of the philosophy of Buddhism.
About our special guest:
While on a trip in India, Lekshe heard the teachings of Dalai Lama. She was convinced that she wanted to become a nun, and dedicate her life to service. Except for one problem: no monastery would accept her, because she was a woman.
So, Karma Lekshe started her own nunnery in the Himalayas and sure enough, became a Buddhist nun.
Today, decades later, she has drastically altered Buddhism’s view of women. As a PhD in comparative philosophy, author of several books, founder of a Himalayan nonprofit, professor at University of San Diego, president of International Association of Buddhist Women, Karma Lekshe is actively involved in interfaith dialogue and grassroot initiatives for empowerment of women.
Professor Tsomo received a B.A. in Oriental Languages (Japanese/Chinese) from the University of California, Berkeley; an M.A. in Asian Studies, an M.A. in Religion (Asian), and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Hawai‘i, Manoa. In addition, she studied at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives and the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamsala, India for 15 years. Since 2000 she has been an Associate Professor at the University of San Diego.
Scholarly and Creative Work
Professor Tsomo’s doctoral research focused on death and identity in China and Tibet. She is the author of Sisters in Solitude: Two Traditions of Monastic Ethics for Women and Into the Jaws of Yama, Lord of Death: Buddhism, Bioethics, and Death. Click here for all the titles by Lekshe Tsomo
She has produced several educational videos: “Sacred Ground: Consecrating a Village Temple in Spiti Valley,” “Women in Buddhism: Unity and Diversity,” and “Living and Dying in Buddhist Cultures.” click here for a full bio
Venue
Ariyasom Villa is a beautiful boutique hotel and high class vegetarian restaurant in the heart of Bangkok. Head down Sukhumvit Soi one to the end of the soi and the hotel is there by the canal.
