Aloha and Enlightenment

Monday, December 20th, 2010

The Venerable Khensur Rinpoche Lobang Jampa said ‘aloha’ has a similar meaning where he is from – Tibet.

Rinpoche was on-island last week to speak of kindness, compassion and the meaning of life with about 100 Molokai residents, at Kalaniana`ole Hall.

“Before coming here, I didn’t really know what aloha meant, but I found that there is a much deeper connotation. Aloha, which can mean ‘breath of life,’ is very similar to a Tibetan belief,” he said.

There is a Buddhist notion says that when a breath is taken, people breathe in compassion and kindness. Breathing has a strong link to emotional and mental states, Rinpoche explained.

Out of respect, this Buddhist monk is referred to as Rinpoche (“precious one”), one of the highest honors attainable in the order. Originally from Tibet, he fled to India in 1959 with the Dalai Lama. He currently teaches at the Guhyasamaja Center in Washington, D.C.

He and his students were on a spiritual retreat on Molokai from Dec. 6-22. They were invited by Lavinia Currier, owner of Pu`u O Hoku Ranch, where they stayed during their visit.

Rinpoche teaches tantric and sutra, Buddhist meditation techniques and beliefs, and has taught in Tibet, Singapore and Malaysia as well as the U.S. He was selected by the Dalai Lama in 1996 as the honorable Abbot of the Gyumed Tantric College.

Rinpoche also opened the floor for questions, through his translator. At first, people were hesitant, but the ice broke when someone belted out, “Why are we here? What is the meaning of life?”

Rinpoche answered the question from a Buddhist’s perspective.

“The reason why we’re born is because of karma. We’re here to serve others and to be compassionate. If you are causing harm, you aren’t fulfilling your purpose,” he said.

Questions rolled in after that. People asked about pain, suffering, forgiveness and religion.

One man asked, “I want to visit Tibet, but I don’t want to support a suppressive regime,” referring to China’s rule over Tibet since 1959. “Should I go there?”

Rinpoche kindly replied with, “Go there and find the truth yourself, but don’t buy into the superficial.”

Just in Time for the Holidays

Friday, December 17th, 2010

Looking for that perfect gift for your favorite cook, or something glitzy for your Christmas tree? Molokai has a new business offering kitchen toys and ono Hawaiian-style condiments and sweets in a quiet setting.

“Back by popular demand,” said the store’s owner, Jule Kamakana. After she closed Bamboo Pantry in Kaunakakai town, she still had the bug to provide Molokai with gifts for the home.

“I just want people to feel my blessings,” she said.

This time around, she decided to utilize what she already had – the family homestead farm, while providing some of the same products from Bamboo Pantry.

Kamakana Country Store, located on Kahanu St. just outside of Kaunakakai off Maunaloa Highway, is also a local food source. Kamakana said she and her husband grow herbs, vegetables and fruits such as pineapple, cucumber, and sugar cane. She will also sell Nancy Gove’s sea salt, and said she hopes to eventually offer a tour of how salt is made.

“This is what homesteading is about,” Kamakana said – using the land to not just provide for your family, but to share and education your community.

The store offers plenty of deals for the holidays – free wrapping, gift baskets, and the Kamakanas’ signature glassware. Jule’s husband Braddah etches kapa designs on glassware and décor, and Jule sells her Hawaiian quilt patterns as paintings as well. The store also offers a 10 percent discount for senior citizens on Mondays.

Kamakana Country Store is open Mondays 1-5 p.m., Tues-Fri 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. They will be offering a 15 percent discount on all Christmas items this week. Call 553-5725 for more information.