Hi everyone -

i slept through the first class on The 37, and last night I called the "missed class" recording. It is great to have that resource. Many thanks to Erin for setting it up. And to state the obvious, I encourage everyone to remember it's there.

The previous post got me thinking about how English does not have a "sacred language" that could be used for translation purposes. Someone once told me that since the texts were in Sanskrit originally and Tibetans recite them in Tibetan, it is the same thing for us to recite them in English since that is our language. I don't think that's true. My understanding is that much care was taken to create a "sacred" Tibetan specifically for the translation of the texts. And the sounds are important.

I think English is necessary at first for us to understand the words and the gist of things, but there's more to it. Anyone?

Something hit home

Speaking of idioms... there was a moment in class when David rephrased and explained the context of the verse of praise...the paradox...that something hit home...at the same time it's not something that could be written down....but kinda like feeling the truth of the words....how it applies to me right now...

The Dalai Lama did encourage us to do liturgical practices in English if one does not understand Tibetan and doesn't feel moved by reciting in a foreign language...
Khandro Rinpoche had often said that reading the Tibetan has intrinsic value because of the transmission of the enlightened mind...
Both are true....paradox

But somehow I have a sense that I could have read the english translation 101 times over on my own and never would have got the essence of what was conveyed in the praise...
At the very least...that is dawning on me....something hit home...

Welcome!

Welcome to the new group blog for the 37 Practices Virtual course! We hope this will serve as a great forum for you to help each other study, share and compare notes or get notes from missed classes. David may also contribute, as his schedule allows. This is a fun way for you all to extend your class experience and create a virtual community together. Enjoy!

Erin Keskeny
TLI Office