When the great and the good discuss the state of the Dharma in the West, there is at times mention of the massive lack of material support, for ordained persons, retreat centres, monasteries, printing of texts etc. Then there are the more personalised issues around the watering down of key points of Buddhist doctrine, such as karma, re-birth and assorted philosophical tenets. The latter of which have been the subject of Buddhist debate for millenia.

One thing which does seem to escape attention, even in the blogosphere, is that people get angry and are actually experiencing the kleshas. No matter how many times you've paid for the title Lama or met the Dalai Lama, you are still a human being experiencing all the same poisonous shit as everyone else. Being fluent in Sanskrit, having received Dzogchen teachings or tantrically fucking someone from Lithang doesn't change this.

True, you may have access to the most effective methods for dealing with these emotions, but it's not an overnight thing, and denying them and pretending they are not there isn't sincere.

This post isn't in any way related to being in Nepal, but rather a pre-lude to a satirical commentary on the Lojong I may or may not write.