A light has just gone out in our world.
I, like you, have just heard that Queen Elizabeth has died. It is Tara Day. May she go directly to Tara’s Pure Land where she belongs. I will miss her, I feel she provided some protection for our world. I
wonder what will happen next … ?
… so far, rainbows over the Palace and other major landmarks across the capital, including Elizabeth Tower in Westminster and the Queen Victoria Memorial.
I want to repeat here a story from long ago that shows we never know who people are …
Based on 40 years' experience, I write about applying meditation and modern Buddhism to improve and transform our everyday lives and societies. I try to make it accessible to everyone anywhere who wants more inner peace and profound tools to help our world, not just Buddhists. Do make comments any time and I'll write you back!
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So nicely put and very true, this link was sent to me by my brother Uma a monk himself. Like to the Queen, too all good people of faith and structure of all faiths, thank you for your light too 🌈🤍
For me the Queen is a reminder I have been both the oppressor and the oppressed in countless previous lives.
Thank you so much for this post! Like so many in our world, I feel like she was my friend. I’m sad like so many. I’m grieving like so many. I loved your story of the remarkable tea party! She did indeed come from higher realms!
Something I heard in the early days when centres were just starting up, that Geshe-la advised to open a branch in Windsor because the Queen has good karma.
The outpouring of respect and gratitude since hearing of her death has been phenomenal. However from reading recent posts I am so sorry for what the Queen represents to some people and the posts have made me contemplate their sentiments in the ongoing events leading up to the funeral. I wish I had the right words, perhaps one thing is to recognise that the new King has worked for decades to encourage and support many disadvantaged youths, may be his influence and approach will help evolve how the monarchy functions in the wider world.
I lived for so many years in Wimbledon, London and always loved the Queen. Saw her in the royal carriage in 2012 during the Diamond Jubliee – it was so special to be part of the crowds near Horse Guards Parade watching her pass by. This last photo is just so pretty – she is reminding me of my granny who also got quite frail in movement in her later years. Geshe-la knows about these things – so yes indeed no doubt Tara swiftly called her to Potala like the mytical winged horse pracing in the higher heavens.
First thank you for adding that last paragraph and for asking me to share my parts of my letter to you in this comment section.
“I am a great fan of your blog, but today’s post was upsetting and i wanted to share why. While the death of your Queen is sad and I too wish that she goes directly to Tara’s Pure Land — the Queen and the monarchy represent for millions of people of color in and from former colonies unimaginable suffering. I won’t go into the details of colonialism because I know that you are aware of those sufferings. The Queen represented the monarchy and that regime has and still supports colonialism, racism and a class system only rivaled by the Indian caste system. While the Queen acknowledged the wrongs of the British Empire she never apologized. The recent treatment of Megan by the Royals has brought the overt racism in the monarchy to light. Barbados’ recent removal of the Queen as head of state by their prime minister was part of the movement that began with George Floyd’s death and inspired by Black Lives Matter. I celebrated Megan’s bravery and Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s decision as did many friends of color.
Buddhism is a way out for many of us from that background and history to imagine a different world and way of being free from class, monarchies, and oppressive leaders. You have long been a great supporter of diversity and inclusion for our Kadampa organization. It was painful to have you share your story about what Geshe-la said because I wonder how Kadampa Buddhists of color like myself feel about the implications of the Queen coming from higher realms. I wonder if Geshe la like Buddha taught for the minds of the disciples in front of him. Did Geshe la tell that story to a few British students who were having tea in the UK because that was the leader of their country? I don’t know if this was a private story for those of you present that day, that if shared can so easily be taken out of context. (As maybe I am doing right now.)
I am an Indian American immigrant to the US and longtime Kadampa student in NYC. I am overly sensitive to the way in which unconscious biases can be embedded in organizations and traditions. Because most of our Kadampa senior teachers and admin are British and European naturally their views are reflected in our tradition and in their teachings. If we want to truly diversify our Kadampa organization then it is important to confront unconscious biases. Geshe-la, dharma and our Kadampa centers are my refuge. I’m hoping that everything I do spiritually in this life can help diversify our sangha.
I deeply appreciate you sending me this, Michelle. Thank you. I often have reason to value your wisdom and judgment, not least on this occasion.
For me, even before Geshe-la said these things both privately and publicly, I already liked the Queen’s speeches on Xmas day because they were often full of Dharma and respect for everyone — and for a few hours on Xmas day people would be affected by them. I have appreciated her in many ways over the years, as have millions of others. However, I know this is not the whole story. There are different perspectives and versions of the Queen, as there are of everything. It is such a teaching on emptiness. I think that emanations can appear all over the place — the systems of samsara are so corrupt and compromised by delusions, but Buddhas have to use these to help us somehow. Perhaps as the Queen, for some. For others, not so much.
Your comment touches me because I definitely do not want to contribute to not diversifying our Sangha — I want to do everything in my power to help diversify our Sangha. It is so incredibly important that we do that. I totally agree that our organization skews British and European, and that this affects how our organization shows up in the world.
For several reasons, as far as I am concerned, there is a still a disappointing lack of diversity given that we are introducing a profound and vast Dharma tradition that really does believe in welcoming everybody equally and whole-heartedly.
So, I will contemplate your words. xxx
Thank you Luna Kadampa for adding the Caveat paragraph at the end and acknowledging the benefit of contemplating the many versions of the Queen. And I feel so much gratitude to Michelle and her courage in sharing her concerns about the initial post. Because I too was upset by the initial post, and feel Michelle has spoken on my behalf, on behalf of many other Kadampas and so many countless non-Kadampas impacted by colonialism. Because I too have struggled with the British-centric/Western-centric nature of how our teachings are sometimes presented. Because our Kadampa community is now global. So we need a global mindset because our audience, those who we want to encourage and bring into the tradition, is global. And I believe that is Geshe-la’s vision and I want work towards fulling that inclusive and beautiful vision. I am a Korean American immigrant to the US and a decade plus Kadampa student in NYC. Prayers, Woo Jung Cho
Thank you so much Woo Jung Cho — I am grateful for your comment, as well as Michelle’s.
If we are to develop a universal mindset, we need a global mindset first! I agree. It is something I want to focus on every day, both practically and in my prayers and aspirations.
Thank you LK for your response. I felt I could be honest in this space because I knew you would be receptive, kind, wise and wonderfully supportive. Much love, Woo
aww, I’m so glad, thank you. 😍
As others have said, viewing the Queen in this way is quite a shift from an ordinary perspective. And it’s a shift that feels good. If nothing else Geshe-la is showing us a lot about our own preconceptions and opening up a whole universe of possibilities. Perhaps King Charles is an emanation too? Perhaps we are surrounded by enlightened beings? That’s an encouraging thought.
“I’ve had this extraordinary feeling, for years and years, ever since I can remember really, of wanting to heal and make things better,” he told the US’s Time magazine. “I feel more than anything else it’s my duty to worry about everybody and their lives in this country, to try and find a way of improving things if I possibly can.”
Thank you. I was thinking about you, and Geshe-la today, and his regard for the Queen.
The outpouring of public response, thousands standing in the rain and bringing flowers, was very moving. People sensed something special.
Thank you LK — very beautiful (and helpful)!
Thank you for sharing this news and the wonderful story about Geshla.
So grateful for this wisdom at this time .
What a truly lovely post Luna Kadamoa thank you so much for all that you do. I find all your posts very inspiring
val
I remember I heard a story about the Queen a long time ago. Apparently Tzong Rinpoche was visiting England and some students took him to visit London. The story is that when he saw Buckingham Palace he said that it was Tara’s home.
I developed a very warm heart to the Queen since then. I’ve also heard that Geshe la said she was a Chakravatin Queen. Could be hearsay but it filled my heart with warmth 💚💚
Thank you Luna, our wonderful and majestic Queen Elizabeth died on Tara Day and will be taken to the Pure Land.
The Queen was kind and wise worrier! May Area Tara take her to the Pure Land and may she keep protecting her family and all her subjects🌺
Thank you for sharing this story. I don’t know what it means but as you say the clue is in the sceptre- or is it a khatanga?
X
I’ve always admired her. I admire the fact she dedicated her life to the service of people. I’m not surprised she died on Tara day. I’m sure she’s gone to Pure Land.
Geshla emanated for you, for us, like an unbroken chain. I love when you share your experiences with Geshla, with us. 🌞✨🍃
Thank you for sharing this!
Amazing!
No doubth!
Beautiful🙏
Thank you, that is beautiful. I don’t understand the part about London emanating for the Queen but I love the piece you’ve written. x