TRIBUTE TO LIFE

somewhere nyc

2012-01-11T09:32:00.000-08:00

hey frankfrost

2012-01-03T13:40:00.000-08:00

HEY FRANK,

THANKS FOR LENDING ME YOUR SONY NEX-5 AND LETTING ME SHOOT FOR THE FIRST TIME BACK IN NYC.

2011-12-30T15:47:00.000-08:00

nyc full rez

2011-12-21T09:32:00.000-08:00

2011-12-19T10:01:00.000-08:00

2011-12-05T14:01:00.000-08:00

how much (?) is enough

2011-12-05T11:26:00.001-08:00

popcorn

2011-10-21T12:02:00.001-07:00

oh ma ni pad me hum

2011-08-17T17:15:00.000-07:00

the mantra of compassion.

"Om Mani Peme Hung"

The Mantra Of Compassion

The
Mantra of Compassion, OM MANI Padmi Hum, is pronounced by Tibetans: Om Mani
Peme Hung. It embodies the compassion and blessing of all the Buddhas and
Bodhisattvas, and invokes especially the blessing of Avalokitesvara (Goddess of
Mercy), the Buddha of Compassion. Avalokitesvara is a manifestation of the
Buddha in the Sambhogakaya, and this mantra is considered the essence of the
Buddha's compassion for all beings which liberates all sentient beings from
sufferings of the different realms of samara.

The
teachings explain that each of the six syllables of the mantra - Om Mani Peme
Hung - has a specific and potent effect in bringing about transformation at
different levels of our being. The six syllables purify completely the six
poisonous negative emotions, which are the manifestation of ignorance, and
which cause us to act negatively with our body, speech, and mind, so creating
samsara and our suffering in it. Pride, jealousy, desire, ignorance, greed, and
anger are transformed, through the mantra, into their true nature, the wisdom
of the six Buddha families that become manifest in the enlightened mind.

So
when we recite OM MANI PEME HUNG, the six negative emotions, which are the
cause of the six realms of samsara, are purified. This is how reciting the six
syllables prevents rebirth in each of the six realms, and also dispels the
suffering inherent in each realms. At the same time reciting OM MANI PEME HUNG
completely purifies the aggregates of ego, the skandhas, and perfects the six
kinds of transcendental action of the heart of the enlightened mind, the
paramitas of: generosity, harmonious conduct, endurance, enthusiasm,
concentration, and insight. It is also said that OM MANI PEME HUNG grants
strong protection from all kinds of negative influences, and various forms of
illness.

KALU
RINPOCHE writes :

Another
way of interpreting the mantra is that the syllable OM is the essence of
enlightened form: MANI PEME. The four syllables in the middle, represent the
speech of enlightenment; and the last syllables, HUM, represents the Mind of
enlightenment. The body, speech and mind of all the buddhas and bodhisatvas are
inherent in the sound of this mantra. It purifies the obscurations of body,
speech and mind, and brings all beings to the state of realization. When it is
joined with our own faith and efforts in meditation and recitation, the
transformative power of the mantra Arises and develops. It is truly possible to
purify ourselves this

H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama's definition

"It is very good
to recite the mantra Om mani padme hum, but while you are doing it, you should
be thinking on its meaning, for the meaning of the six syllables is great and
vast... The first, Om [...] symbolizes the practitioner's impure body, speech,
and mind; it also symbolizes the pure exalted body, speech, and mind of a
Buddha[...]" "The path is indicated by the next four syllables. Mani,
meaning jewel, symbolizes the factors of method: (the) altruistic intention to
become enlightened, compassion, and love.[...]" "The two syllables,
padme, meaning lotus, symbolize wisdom[...]" "Purity must be achieved
by an indivisible unity of method and wisdom, symbolized by the final syllable
hum, which indicates indivisibility[...]" "Thus the six syllables, om
mani padme hum, mean that in dependence on the practice of a path which is an
indivisible union of method and wisdom, you can transform your impure body,
speech, and mind into the pure exalted body, speech, and mind of a
Buddha[...]"

three fierce mantras

2010-09-03T12:29:00.001-07:00

"Whatever has to happen, let it happen!"

"Whatever the situation is, it's fine!"

" I don't need anything whatsoever (but the Dharma)!"
or
"I have everything I need!"

taking a little break

2010-08-30T08:15:00.000-07:00

got a few emails last couple weeks about new images,

have been taking most of my time to study buddhism,
might be going on extended retreat,
hope all is well with everyone,

will be posting soon,
be well and peace

dharma

2010-07-15T11:01:00.000-07:00

some reworked images

2010-07-13T12:04:00.001-07:00

summer in bed stuy

2010-07-12T13:30:00.001-07:00

SoMeOfMyFaVs

2010-07-09T14:01:00.001-07:00

ePhEmErAl CiTy

2010-07-09T11:03:00.000-07:00

in my thoughts

2010-07-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

eddie, hope those trips to eourope are treating you all right, peace
Hey Shaky,
Thanks again for the wonderful words, hope your mind is still content.

faces of bed stuy, brooklyn, usa

2010-07-08T12:42:00.000-07:00

birdz, birdz, birdz

2010-07-06T11:34:00.001-07:00

2010-07-01T10:21:00.001-07:00

rEPhLeCKtIoNs

2010-06-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

dancers and dance

2010-06-30T10:05:00.000-07:00

coming next post

2010-06-29T15:20:00.001-07:00

MORE IMAGES COMING UP THIS WEEK,

Around Macon Street

2010-06-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

availablelite

2010-06-28T10:39:00.000-07:00

hunh

2010-06-23T11:07:00.001-07:00

i was walking by and

2010-06-22T14:47:00.001-07:00

around columbus

2010-06-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

yellow

2010-06-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

EXTREMES

2010-06-14T13:10:00.000-07:00

sOmE

2010-06-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

looking for titles

2010-05-17T12:08:00.001-07:00

5 from the 7

2010-05-13T11:47:00.001-07:00

previews

2010-05-07T10:06:00.000-07:00

f E a R

2010-05-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

Speaking strictly for myself,
you can take what you like,
and leave the rest.

Amazing things start to happen when
the fear dissipates, slowing but surely.
The mind is no longer "I".
Attachments, fears, anger, rage, faintheartedness and so on,
will always be around in countless numbers measuring
a million times that of all the beaches in this universe.
Through meditation, study and practice,
The past is where the attachments will be.
They are no longer real.

thanks to the the people who have shared their excellent words with me today.

tkim2010

computer problems
will post some pics soon

excerpts

2010-04-30T14:12:00.000-07:00

excerpt from
"The Nectar of Manjusrhi's Speech"

taken from the "Avatamsaka:

The outer palace of the sun, O Devaputra, which is material,
has no choice but to do its work of illuminating the four conti-
nents all by itself. It is unobstructed by cloud, dust, or wind,
and it shed its light impartially over over everything. And although
all beings place their hope in it, the sun for its part has no need
to rely on anything. In the same way, I, a Bodhisattva skilled in
emptiness and the means of great compassion, will bring to
maturity and liberation all beings, whose number is as limitless
as space itself. And I will do this by my self alone! I shall be im-
peded by none of the faults and defects of beings, wild and bar-
barous as they are. I will become the great and unknown friend
of every being. Though they may place their hopes in me, I do
not place my hopes in them.

talk about self confidence with no ego present,
immovable pliability of the mind
amazing
tkim2010

the sun always rises in the ?

2010-04-16T09:17:00.001-07:00

davids in bed stuy, best in nyc

2010-04-16T08:02:00.001-07:00

thirty minutes in bed stuy

2010-04-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

koma woyo yepeda agashi

2010-04-14T13:51:00.000-07:00

the other thirty minutes in bed stuy

2010-04-14T10:02:00.000-07:00

thanks for the images ASSI

EAZY deli on fulton

fresh film,

2010-04-14T09:20:00.000-07:00

just got these images back from the photo shop in bed stuy,
really nice people, we spoke about images, imagery and their
importance in life.

Film helps us concentrate better.

Confident, with each release of the shutter,
our eyes seeing lucidly,
with pliable steadiness.
I breathe,
It is not "I" creating these images.

thomas

the process of rebirth in continuance

my heart at times

i still get a rush from shooting film
bed stuy tiger
go "SPRING VALLEY TIGERS" GRADUATING CLASS 80

random images from catalog

2010-04-11T11:35:00.000-07:00

yellow

alex, if you made to the site, this one's for you

1st roll of film in awhile

2010-04-08T20:42:00.000-07:00

mimi's, upper eastside

2010-04-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

dylan,
thanks again for the wonderful images and your kind words,
hope your brothers journey in Tibet/Nepal goes well,
be well and peace.
been to Mimi's a few times,
always left smiling.

a sense of "thou"

the best sausage and pepperoni pie around

ReLaTiOnShIpS

2010-04-08T10:06:00.001-07:00

fun,

2010-04-08T08:26:00.001-07:00

my apologies about delay, enjoy

bryant park

2010-04-07T17:14:00.000-07:00

spring, columbus circle

2010-04-07T12:57:00.001-07:00

croppz

2010-04-01T13:02:00.001-07:00

the dalai lama, coming this may to nyc

central park in august

bronx botanical garden

all that is needed on most days

JULY FOURTH 2009, NYC

celestial eye goldfish

irish wolfhound, in Pa.

south street

2010-04-01T12:53:00.003-07:00

nice rides

2010-04-01T12:53:00.001-07:00

custom built chopper, bed stuy
\

57

carlisle, pa

sunset park, 4th ave.

williamsburgh

not a harley, but still good

around williamsburgh

2010-04-01T12:52:00.003-07:00

iNdUsTrIaL WiLlIaMsBuRgH

2010-03-31T14:54:00.000-07:00

a letter

2010-03-31T12:55:00.000-07:00

what IS time

2010-03-30T14:01:00.000-07:00

time square shop

lookin' out the N

the bridges of manhattan county

2010-03-29T12:38:00.000-07:00

@the pond

sunset in williamsburgh, brooklyn

2010-03-28T00:00:00.001-07:00

Merci beaucoup pour vous mots,
et merci beacoup pour partage vous coeurs.
godspeed,
thomas
se porter bien

\

self portraits

2010-03-27T23:51:00.001-07:00

for the Botanist

2010-03-27T21:27:00.001-07:00

forgot where i took this one, indoors, outdoors, uptown, downtown

imperfectly perfect and perfectly imperfect

2010-03-26T12:06:00.001-07:00

a moment of silence with the Great Lawn in central park

Take time to look around
now and here.
From when and where,
my mind nor heart do not reside.
My eyes are open today,
"I" do not long for more.

Thanks Alex,
peace and love
thomas kim

there is a time

2010-03-25T08:24:00.000-07:00

to dance

for peace

for hope

for gentlemenness

for stillness

for meditation

for wisdom

for intensity

to check your depth of field

for bliss

for reflection

to share, this image is for Stormy, thank you for sharing your words with me,
thomas

Scott, It is now time to Rock and Roll!

sunset park park brooklyn new york 11216

2010-03-24T07:16:00.001-07:00

back in williamsburgh

2010-03-24T07:15:00.000-07:00

their eyes say everything

under the BQE

nicely detailed FIAT

saw these bicyclists on the way to the scene

was my pleasure to talk with my neighbors from BeD StUy

2010-03-23T16:53:00.000-07:00

grand central station

The Journey begins by going inward,
It is there where answers lay.
Not seeking elsewhere,
the past no longer here, the future not yet here,
there are no more or are not yet.

WALL STREET

2010-03-23T15:17:00.001-07:00

muchos gracias para su tiempo y palabras
vaya con dios
paz y benvenido
tomas kim

swanzee, I thought that the image below might bring you a smile, your words were excellent today.
thank you,
thomas

hhhmmm or shhhh

2010-03-22T19:04:00.001-07:00

upcoming images

2010-03-22T13:48:00.001-07:00

saw these dudes in W.B.
sweet, sweet ride guys, thanks for the images and taking time to talk with me
thomas

old wall street

brooklyn, manhattan and williamsburgh bridges in this image

williamsburgh brooklyn/march 19/2010

2010-03-20T14:44:00.000-07:00

metropolitan and lorimer

my apologies, forgot your names,
nice talking with you two, if you stumble upon site
please send me your names

only shot was through fence, hope this image is OK

no look, shutter release test shot before getting off the "L"

Davies and his friends, all good people
Davies owasu, mamadou Barry, otis Harper & rodrique Jean
thanks again for images

saw these great skulls outside "Huitzilli"

dude getting serious hang time, i have 7 consecutive images, will post rest soon

From "The Way of the Bodhisattva"
Shantideva

My faith will thus be strengthened for a little while,
That I might grow accustomed this virtuous way
But others who now chance upon my words
May profit also, equal to myself in fortune.

stepping off the L @ Lorimer, first image i took

had a nice conversation with Emily at huitzilly on metropolitan ave
she has a lot of wonderful things there, will be posting more pics soon
thanks for images Emily, thomas

Great going out and shooting some images in Williamsburg,
I will be posting many more images in the week to come.
Met so many really kool people today, most with open hearts and minds
thank you
thomas

What is in and what is out.

back at the "L" @ North 7th, last handheld image of the nite
about 900 images are in between
thanks to everyone whom i have met today and shared some life with

thomas kim

brooklyns bravest

2010-03-20T12:35:00.000-07:00

heroes all

Jamie was the first fireman i saw on the scene,
still sweating from his acts of heroism.
thanks
thomas

Christopher emailed me today,
it was his last tour with company (E221)
he has transferred to the Bronx (L19) as of today.
continued health and peace

MORE IMAGES COMING SOON

"The Southside"

I had a chance to speak and spend a little time with these fireman on the scene @N6 & Driggs Ave. in Williamsburgh Brooklyn, all equally filled with courage.
To Christopher and to all the fireman, thanks for the images
Thomas

what do you see

2010-03-20T12:27:00.000-07:00

is it the subject

or is it the object

THE LIONS OF BUDDHA

2010-03-20T11:50:00.000-07:00

saw these kool stone statues in chinatown last week
female foo lion holding her cub, the cycle of life

male foo lion holding "The Flower of Life"

Lion of Korea
Snow Lion
Foo Lion
Happiness Lion
Chinthe
shishi
or Foo Dog

it all works for me

some images for friends

2010-03-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

great to hear from you tim, keep taking photographs and enjoy,
you can not go wrong, thanks for your excellent words
be well and peace

for Stefan in Switzerland, downtown and nyc misses you guys

I met Benji late last summer in Washington Sqaure Park,
Had great conversation with him about Life, Music and our roots,
He will be performing @Puppets Jazz Bar, March23rd from 9-11
I was caught by his love for music, his intruments and life
see you soon benji, peace and be well

Glen, Here are the bears, see you tomorrow man, peace and be well,
Thomas

Todd & Kellie, Koolest Kouple in NYC
thanks for you patience guys

Scott, how's this one?

this image of Inwood is for Delia

this one is for Glen

these two for Di

Karina, Rob and Leo

2010-03-16T16:56:00.000-07:00

thanks for the e mail karina, and tell rob and leo, hi and woof for me

I spent some time, talking with Karina and Rob and their boy LEO
on my previous birthday outside the DMV on 34th
they are the salt of this earth
be well and peace

Passages

2010-03-16T16:22:00.000-07:00

Just as on a dark night black with clouds,
The sudden lightning glares and all is clearly
shown,
Likewise rarely, through the Buddha's power,
Virtuous thoughts rise, brief and transient, in
the world. (1.5)

from The Way of The Bodhisattva

the promises

from survival to recovery, page 269
i don't know if it is blasphemus but i omitted a couple words,
take what you like and leave the rest
tkim

If we willingly surrender ourselves to spiritual discipline, our lives will be transformed. We will become mature, responsible individuals with a great capacity for joy, fulfillment, and wonder. Though we may never be perfect, continued spiritual progress will reveal to us our enormous potential.

We will discover that we are both worthy of love and loving. We will love others without losing ourselves, and will learn to accept love in return. Our site once clouded and confused, will clear and we will be able to perceive reality and recognize truth.

Courage and fellowship will replace fear. We will be able to risk failure to develop new, hidden talents. Our lives, no matter how battered and degraded, will yeild hope to share with others. We will begin to feel and will come to know the vastness of our emotions, but we will not be slaves to them.

Our secrets will no longer bind us, we gain the ability to forgive our families, the world, and ourselves our choices will expand. With dignity we will stand for ourselves, but not against our fellows.

Serenity and peace will have meaning for us, as we allow our lives and the lives of those we love to flow day by day with God's ease, balance and grace. No longer terrified, we will discover we are free to delight in lifes paradox, mystery and awe. We will laugh more. Fear will be replaced by faith, and gratitude will come naturally as we realize that our Higher Power is doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

didn't forget about you guys, gals & beings

2010-03-16T10:15:00.001-07:00

Saranghae means Love in Korean

kouple kool ladies at nathan's, les

saw these guys near the veranzano

it's a family affair

hope your mind has settled a little more

i didn't forget about you abuelita.

meditative

sorry took so long to post, be well

my next rat

i hope you had a good freshman year young man

ooh, oooh, oooh, got you dog! tkim '10

hi to everyone in petland in sunset

FABULOUS

vai bene,
grazie millie
tu amico
thomas

cHiNaToWn & LoWeR EaStSiDe - NyC

2010-03-12T23:56:00.003-08:00

no where near chinatown or LES,
shot this last summer

i offered some incense to and from all the bodhisattava's

cvs camera for $6.99

2010-03-11T14:12:00.001-08:00

Was it worth it?

a ViEw FrOm ThE bRoOkLyN bridgE

2010-03-11T12:02:00.001-08:00

welcome to brooklyn

2010-03-11T08:24:00.001-08:00

Throop and Flatbush

2010-03-10T07:17:00.001-08:00

FRIENDS

2010-03-10T07:04:00.001-08:00

nothing better than a sunny, march sunday in new york city

2010-03-07T17:13:00.001-08:00

B
the way of the bodhisattva?

fellow photographer on similar journey today

can someone out there tell me what this huge fruit (I'm Geussin") is?

really kool kouple in i met in bed stuy on the way to nyc

KAT'Z, still the best pastrami sandwich in the WORLD

tibetan wind flags taking our prayers into the universe

good lookin' ball player

hamanahamanajhhananaa

somewhere in chinatown
sorry, the owner wouldn't let me take the sticker off the koi's head

three lovely ladies at the brooklyn bridge, peace

inKK

2010-03-05T10:13:00.001-08:00