Meeting with Lama Gyaltsen Tamang
It’s Nov. 3rd. In Hawaii. Election Day. Anxiety is high. Covid-19 is still on the loose and rising. And yet, I choose to travel to Hawaii.
I like to call myself an interfaith leader. I find joy in traveling and experiencing the many ways spiritual leaders and students worship. I believe everyone has the right to communicate with the God of their understanding through the language that affirms their good and divine hearts and souls. Language in this context is the metaphor for religion as the form of communicating. One of my many journeys is to talk with spiritual leaders to learn about what calls them to their path and hear their suggestions for ways to achieve humanity through an inclusive lens.
On this day, I met with the Lama Gyaltsen Tamang. The only monk that is on the land of Maui Hawaii from my knowledge. I accompanied Buddha Noah, a dearest friend and spiritual partner, during this visit.
Lama Gyaltsen is the spiritual director of the Maui Dharma Center and lives full time at the Center on Maui. We met Lama Gyaltsen in his Shala on "Lahianna Family Farm," located in Launiupoko, HI. This was the Lama sacred time of rest and restoration away from the Dharma Center location in Paia. It's interesting how this season seems like the need for rest for many spiritual leaders. This was indeed an honor that we were allowed to meet with him during his scared time.
During the time spent with Lama Gyaltsen, he shared about his spiritual journey. Lama Gyaltsen Tamang arrived in Maui, HI, in June 2003 to begin work as the new resident teacher. The late Lama Tenzin chose lama Gyaltsen as his successor. Lama lived and studied at Kalu Rinpoche's monastery in Darjeeling, India, before coming to Maui. He is trained in the Mahamudra traditions of the Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu lineages.
He shares intimate stories of what it was like to learn and studying. He talked about learning the importance of devotion.
Centering Question for you today: What are you devoted to?
Maui Dharma Center's Present Resident Teacher