ESTATE OF THE PEACOCK – DHARMASALA

The Pauenhof Dharmasala Project was established in 1990. The basic idea is to contribute to a development of an INDEPENDENT, NON-RELIGIOUS, NON-MONASTIC BUDDHIST DHARMA CENTRE where children, parents, lay people and ordained people are welcome equally. Founders of the centre are the venerable Sakya abbot Khempo Dorje Gyaltsen from Tibet and the German fine art publisher Michael Hellbach.

RIME

Traditionally we support the less known Sakya school of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism and we invite teachers of this school in regular terms. But we also offer teachings and retreats of all other schools of Buddhism, especially the meditational schools of Vipassana and Metta of the Theravada Buddhism. We are holding meditation retreats in those practices and other teachings of mindfulness.
We give support to the modern forms of Buddhist philosophy as expressed for example in the teachings of Christopher Titmuss. Further we would like to be a centre, where modern forms of non-violent communication is taught and practised, where we offer workshops for parents and children to develop a culture of understanding and loving care. We would like to contribute to the process of the development of a culturally adapted form of Buddhism, that one day might be called the “Buddhism of the West”, finding our own way of expression in everyday life, firmly rooted in the 2500 years of experience of Buddhas teachings. Even though this might seem to be a long way to go, we are aware that we are most fortunate having obtained this wonderful human life now, where we have the unique opportunity to live in a time, where communication flows all over the world and where we find ourselves in the extremely fortunate position, to learn from the experienced masters.

BUDDHAS TEACHINGS

The teachings of the Buddha do not fit into any of the traditional categories of religious concepts. It is no faith or belief and consequently there is no worship. It is not pure philosophy or merely an intellectual experience. It is not psychotherapy even though it offers a great deal to heal the mind from unhealthy concepts leading into a vital and peaceful life. Certainly it is no wellness event to program body and mind to function well with the requirements of society. SO, WHAT IS IT? To find out is one of the great challenges in life and the Buddha is inviting us. The essence of Buddhas teachings to us is the practice of meditation, of mindfulness, of the development of loving kindness, eventually (and possibly) resulting in nonviolent communication, ecological responsibility and a deeper love to the world and the sentient beings inhabiting it.

FORM

The financial independence from any religious organisation is important to us. We are sponsored by Tushita Publishing. We are non-profit orientated (trust) but we work on various means of financial survival. One of it is private support through members and sponsors. At present we are establishing a book publishing branch in German language at Tushita, closely connected with the flow of teachings and practice taking place at the centre. Our Sangha Members consist of 9 adults and 4 children. If you want to contribute with your ideas or with your personal means of support, feel yourself being invited to do so!

SARVA MANGALAM
May all beings be safe.
May all beings live in peace.
May all beings be healthy.
May all beings enjoy a happy life.

TO UNDERSTAND THE PHILOSOPHY OF OUR CENTRE
PLEASE ALSO READ
THE TESTAMENT OF THE FOUNDER !

Please scroll on the right side and click “Rinpoches Testament” for english version

For INTERNATINOAL EVENTS where English is the main language, please scroll at the list of contents (SEITEN) on the right side.

OTHER TOPICS ON OUR WEBSITE to be translated

BUDDHIST EATING MEAT

* We have a larger chapter about Buddhist’s unfortunate habits “for the benefit of all sentient beings”. This is a very extensive forum, where we introduce opinions and articles of various schools. Here we discuss the disadvanages of consuming meat not only for the extensive environmental effects it has. At the same time we like to point out that vegetarian diet is not necesseraly a Buddhist practice but for very good reasons like compassion and care for all sentient beings and one should try in a gentle way to deal with it, if meat is still on the menue.
FACT IS: the consequences and pollution and waste of ressources deriving from the excessive consumption of meat has more negative environmental effects, than all automobiles, aeroplaines, and other means of transports together. To produce meat, we spend ten times as much ressources like water and earth than we would need for the same value in vegetarian health food. On top we destroy vast areas of the rainforest, which we would actually need to balance the negative effects of our pollution. If we are talking about change of climate without caring about this, our mother earth will have no chance to survive.

We would like to make a point, that Buddists of all schools should come to a distinguished and compassionate view and possibly give up unfortunate habits which is sometimes as difficult as giving up smoking…

The Buddha accepted all kind of food for various reasons, especially for the monastic situation where the monks were encouraged to accept all, people would offer them. However it would be an absurd conclusion, to say that the Buddha allowed the consumption of meat. Other ways of reasoning come from the tantric practices. But here the Dalai Lama stated clearly: “If you eat meat for tantric practices, you should be able to eat your excrements as well, as meat is visualised an inpure substance…” So tantric practises can never justify the general consumption of meat. When I was studying all those various ways of reasoning and excusing the habit of eating meat, it seemed to me, that there are many cultural and habitual patterns and some people just try to defend their unfortunate habits.

BUT TIMES HAVE CHANGED:
Today we will have no much room play around.
Today various healthy vegetarian diets are available.
Today the negative effects of eating meat have come to a point, where we can contribute a lot of compassion to our fellow beings, ANIMALS, MAN and to MOTHER EARTH, by not eating meat.

The Editors Personal View
I personally also did like to eat meat but it is not on my menue as I enjoy other things even more. Only sometimes, when I am at my parents christmas dinner, I do not make a big deal of being vegetarian, but thankfully eat it. But – honestly: it is quite disappointing. Never do I look down on people who eat meat. Why should I ? I enjoy their company as I enjoy other peoples company.

Just as I gave up smoking and sometimes take a small puff of a cigarette just to know, that giving up smoking was one of the best decisions I did in my life, so I enjoy not eating meat. No need telling everybody that I do not smoke and no need turning away with a cry of horror when some people around do smoke. No need to tell everybody that I am vegetarian.

DALAI LAMA

The Dalai Lama often talks about this topic. He introduced a complete vegetarian diet to many of his monasteries in India. He advises: If we would only eat meat every 2nd day we would contribute a lot to the world already, this would be a good start.

Some reference in English:
www.awrv-online.org/Eileen-Weintraub.htm
www.fwbo.org/articles/eat_meat.html

More translations to follow here.

* There is the founders testament, a very moving last speech before Khempo died in 1993. Something like the foundations of the Pauenhof trust. Very touching words of the founder. Translation is available. Please scroll & click on the right side:

RINPOCHES TESTAMENT.

* The aim of the Sakya Heritage Project available in English, please scroll on the right side.

* How our LIBRARY is organised

* The Nepal Prisoners Association, description on the work done for Nepalese women in prison and the help for the children of those families by the NGO and our contact and support from Pauenhof. www.thequietrevolution.net/panepal/index.html

* Book Publishing in German language at Tushita in connection with the courses on Pauenhof.