Talks with Ösel

Details

Published on July 01, 2011

Please enjoy this selection of talks by and interviews with Tenzin Ösel Hita.

• Audio and unedited transcript of Ösel's talk, "How to Understand Reality from the Universal Point of View" in Bangalore, India, February, 2013.
• Video of Ösel's talk at Losang Drakpa Center, Malaysia, October 2012.
• Audio of the talk which Ösel gave at Istituto Lama Tsong Khapa, Italy on April 12 2012.
• Audio interview between Ösel and the BBC called, "The Reluctant Lama."
• Interview with Ösel by Thane Burnett of the Toronto Sun.
• Interview with Ösel from July - September 2010 Mandala magazine.
• More videos of Tenzin Ösel's talks.

Message from Osel Hita February 27, 2012

Details

Published on February 28, 2011

Occasionally Osel Hita shares his thoughts and experiences on his Facebook page. In this update, he discusses the concept of time and how to make life meaningful.

Time is a concept, but it exists just like the light which is information that helps us see what surrounds us most of the time. Time helps us perceive the change within us and around us. Time can be broken up into pieces, just like a cake. It is infinite either way. You can break it up into tiny moments which could be like a hundredth of a second. Or expand it to hours or days, even light years.

The fact is, change is what keeps everything moving and existing in the cycle of life. We manage to cope with it through the concept time. It is just one more human invention, but it rules the world. We are slaves to our watch. If we can divide the time into fruitful experiences where we can feel we are progressing and doing something meaningful with our lives, or dedicate it to something which is not so clear, but at least it brings food to the table, which is part of survival, then we can say that we are satisfied with our day, because we spent our time doing something fruitful. Either way, it is part of life, and we are working on our individual self which evolves as we go through our life. Each time you need to rest just go back to that infinite time within us where nothing hinders us, nothing can penetrate that secret alcove of peace we each have within us. That helps us relax and be able to reconnect with whatever we have to be dedicated to at that moment. Each of us knows what we are doing, and whether we like it or not, it is something we've chosen. So whenever we reach a crossroad, sit down, relax, go back deep inside, feel that inner pure energy which keeps you moving every day and you will know which path to take every time.

Letter from Osel June 2009

Details

Published on June 01, 2009

Dear Friends, 

It is important to have a good experience of what life is. I have been really lucky to be able to experience both western and eastern cultures and I am so grateful to everyone who has helped me in both cultures.  In combination, being in India and the West has been a rich experience that I’ve been privileged to absorb from both sides. 

There were times in India when it was hard to accept the destiny. Being treated differently, and feeling apart. But that experience was really good and I so appreciate it. 

Photo by Matteo Passigato.However, certain media find ways to sensationalize and exaggerate an unusual story. So I hope that what appears in news print is not read and taken too literally. Don't believe everything that is written!

Experience shows that however hard one tries in interviews to sincerely and honestly convey key information, the printed result can tend towards sensationalism to get the most attention. 

FPMT is doing a great job and Lama Zopa is an immensely special person - very inspiring and a great yogi.

Personally, my job is to find new ways in which to discover the true nature of our being. There is no separation between myself and FPMT - we are all working together in so many aspects and terrains. Humanity is our office. Besides, I don’t really qualify very much in Buddhist studies, because I didn’t finish them, so working together is the clue. 

Photo by Matteo Passigato

So I’m trying to find a different way for this future generation. One of the ways is through music, movies and audio-visual techniques. In a movie you can condense so many different stories. You can put in music, you can put in different situations and messages. Even just the sunset can be enough to give you peace to find a moment of meditation in yourself. There are so many different millions of possibilities in movies. 

And not just movies, but documentaries actually going somewhere and interviewing people who may have reached a level on their path where they are at peace with themselves, and so much more....!!! 

That’s kind of what I’m planning to do. But it is one thing is to plan and another for things to actually happen. So we’re back to mental projections. But for now, that’s what I am hoping to do. 

Big Love 

Osel

Osel's Letter for the FPMT Annual Review 2009

Details

Published on February 11, 2009

The following, from Osel, was included in FPMT’s Annual Review, February 2009:

Lama Yeshe taught really well on so many aspects of life, religion, Buddhism, your mind, and the interior universe we all have. One of the things he taught was impermanence and how we all change; how we take form and leave that form, change energies and change dimensions.

You cannot really project your expectations onto anybody or fantasize about the future, because that’s only hurting yourself, deceiving yourself. You have to find your own true teacher inside yourself.

Anybody can say “I found the truth. Come and take it.” But it’s not going to work, because we each have our own truth that we all have to find. Full moonlight shining in the middle of a dark forest can help you find your way, but it’s not THE way. Many people think the light is the path, but you’re not going to the moon; you’re trying to get out of the forest. The full moon just helps you find your way. 

Some people seem to expect that because this is Lama Yeshe’s reincarnation, then he’s going to be just like Lama Yeshe. But today is not like being in Tibet many years ago, or even when the hippies were in Nepal and India in the 1970s. The world has changed a bit, and so I’m trying to find a different way of communicating. One of the ways is through music, movies, and audio visual techniques. In a movie, you can condense so many different stories. You can put in music; you can put in different situations and messages. Even just the sunset can be enough to give you some peace and help you find a moment for meditation. There are so many millions of possibilities.

It is one thing to plan and another for things to actually happen, but for now, that’s what I am hoping to do.  

I’m really, really grateful for all the help everyone gave me. Thank you for all the support and help.

Osel

Update about Osel for the FPMT Annual Review 2006

Details

Published on February 11, 2006

Ven. Roger Kunsang gave the following update about Osel for the 2006 FPMT Annual Review:

In September, we had a surprise visit from Osel. He suddenly appeared in Aptos, California at Lama Zopa Rinpoche's house - actually, he was on summer vacation. We spent a few days together, and Osel spent a lot of time talking with Rinpoche about Dharma and his experiences of the last few years. He also met some of Lama Yeshe's older students, and stayed with Karuna Cayton.

Osel said he was awed by Rinpoche's house, and the "vibe of the holy objects." In conversation with me he said "I am creating my world, FPMT is doing well creating its world, later we will merge my world and FPMT."

Osel was very happy with the visit, and so were we, especially Rinpoche; we all felt we connected again.

Osel's parting advice to me with a hug was "No matter what bad things people say or do to you... just give love!"

Long Life Prayer

Details

Published on December 01, 2004

It is customary to make prayers (pujas) for the long life of those considered to have potential to greatly benefit others. 

Previously there were references on this site to long life prayers for Tenzin Ösel Hita. 

In this regard, while Ösel hugely appreciates any positive thoughts in his direction, he suggests that an individual 10 minutes of single-pointed concentration meditation without thought will benefit everyone the most.