In Search of Happiness (1999)

In Search of Happiness

Buddha taught Dharma so that all living beings could stop suffering and reach happiness. Those who follow the Dharma that Buddha taught are not searching for ephemeral and passing happiness, rather Happiness that does not change. Complete Happiness, Illumination.

For the disciples of the Mahayana path, all of one's daily efforts and activities should always point to the search for illumination, for the good of all sentient beings. From the Ngagpa monastery of Sakya Tashi Ling we thought that it would be good that other beings participate in what is most precious to us, the blessings of the Lama.

It has been more than 2.500 years since Buddha Sakyamuni made the Wheel of Dharma turn for the first time. Since then, the teachings have been transmitted from teacher to disciple without interruption. This is one of the guarantees that the teachings have arrived to us without alterations.

The prayers of lineage are an acknowledgement of the arduous labor that it takes to keep the teachings alive and it is a plea to these teachers so that they may help us realize in ourselves what they were able to realize.

Every prayer that constitutes this work is made by the enumeration of the Lamas that have maintained that teaching in particular, and is a final plea for help so that we can find the true path that leads to illumination without error and without wasting time, we and all sentient beings without exception. The Ngagpa monks of Sakya Tashi Ling have witnessed the great benefits that come from simply listening to the invocations of the Lamas, which is why we thought it convenient to make them available to those interested, so that more beings could benefit from them. We are totally convinced that just by listening to these prayers you will be able to feel the internal calmness that these masters give.

In Search of Happiness is the union of an ancient tradition with modern instruments that are used for meditation and relaxation, music better known today as New Age. In doing so, our goal was to bring a more familiar sound to those who are not so used to this kind of religious practice. Keeping with the message of His Holiness The Dalai Lama of introducing in some prayers the musical instruments from the different cultures where Dharma is spread, and at the same time keeping strictly to the tradition, we worked together with our vajra brother, composer Abelardo Oquendo Heraud, to present you this album.

In the making of this album, we have used the limited resources that are within our reach, and have found people to collaborate voluntarily. Our goal was never to create a super production; rather it was to create a vehicle worthy of its transcendence. We hope that the results of this voluntary work created with the highest motivations serves you in your spiritual evolution, as it has served us in ours.

With our best wishes,

The Sangha of Sakya Tashi Ling, October 1999.

All merit received from the realization of this work, we dedicate to:
All sentient beings, that they may obtain happiness and its causes; so that they may separate themselves from suffering and of all of the causes of suffering; so that they may never be separated from happiness without suffering; so that they can stay in equanimity, free from all attachment and aversion.

Credits

• Directed by Venerable Lama Jamyang Tashi Dorje.
• Produced by Saya Tashi Ling and Abelardo Oquendo Heraud.
• Choir of Monks: His Eminence Thartse Shabdrung Rinpoche, the Venerable Ngawang Tenzin, the Venerable Lama Jamyang Tashi Dorje and the monks of Sakya Tashi Ling.
• Guitar, Synths and programming by Abelardo Oquendo Heraud.
• Traditional Tibetan instruments performed by His Eminence Thartse Shabdrung Rinpoche, the Venerable Tashi Gyaltsen, the Venerable Ngawang Tenzin and the monks of Sakya Tashi Ling.
• Recorded by Abelardo Oquendo Heraud.
• Mixed by Jesus Rovira.