WALKING WITH THE BUDDHA

My friends Sue Robinson and Stephen Teather are needing your help to fund a limited Buddhist pilgrimage trip to India and Nepal in May this year. If successful, they intend to visit the Buddha’s birthplace at Lumbini in Nepal and Kushinigar in India where Buddha passed away. They have chosen May because their teacher will be in India at that time. They have been students of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche since the early 1990’s.

Another reason for their pilgrimage is to honour the last wishes of their friend Douglas Mills who passed away last year. His wish was for his ashes to be scattered in sacred places in India that were very significant and special for him - Sue and Stephen assured him they would make this happen.

Over the years they had supported Douglas in his unique, wandering mendicant lifestyle, having many heated and many heart-to-heart conversations over many dinners. Douglas was always welcome at their door and often stayed with them for months at a time. They cared for him in their own home during the last months of his life – so they became a “home away from home” for him once again.

This last time, probably because they all knew it was the last time, they became utterly intoxicated and inspired by Douglas’ devotion to both Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Jigme Khyentse Rinpoche and by his dedication to translating Dharma text into English to the very end of his life. It had always been clear that within this incredibly rough exterior there was a truly devoted practitioner dedicated to his teachers, and one who had given his life to the Dharma.

The experience of Douglas’ passing presented a paradox that embraced the sacred and the profane. No mud, no lotus! Apart from their own inspiration towards India, Sue and Stephen have a driving desire to honour Douglas’ wishes by delivering his ashes, as per his heart’s desire, as best they can.

They are both in their mid70’s and survive entirely on the Australian aged pension and are somewhat embarrassed to have no assets to draw on – so funding such a trip by themselves would be impossible. Many friends have suggested they try to crowd fund their venture.

Neither of them is keen on asking for donations having spent most of their lives in helping professions where others, not themselves, were the priority.

They have come to recognize that within their current hardships associated with increasing age; physical vulnerability, dependency on government pensions, that there is opportunity for enjoyment, acceptance, and gratitude. There is also opportunity in this fund-raising bid for the benefactor folks to generate merit and for Sue and Stephen to enjoy their kindness and generosity. Without the generosity of others this trip will not be possible.

Their yearning to return to India has a particular sense of urgency and is charged by the undeniably heightened sense of impermanence – they no longer have a guarantee of a “later date” for doing this – for them now really is the only time. Sue and Stephen would be so incredibly honoured and grateful, and feel somewhat blessed, for whatever financial support you may offer.