Despite the fact that buddhas and bodhisattvas have transcended relative truth, not having a body of flesh and body, in order to liberate us, still they manifest a body of flesh and blood. BuddhaAmitabha of the Pure Land can’t liberate us, neither does Buddha Samantabhadra; although the sambhogakaya and the nirmanakaya of buddha are sublime, they are not able to liberate us, because they can’t communicate with us. Thus a teacher in a relative sense is vital.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

To generate uncontrived bodhicitta is difficult. From beginningless time, we have been habituated to arrange everything for ourselves, whereas the thoughts of benefiting sentient beings one-pointedly and sincerely are limited. Even these thoughts arise occasionally, the scope is very limited. We are so accustomed to selfishness and have never habituating the thought of benefiting others. Thus it’s really hard to give rise to bodhicitta. Nevertheless, even if the difficulties are greater, we need to exert ourselves to cultivate bodhicitta.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

The Buddha told his disciples: it’s clinging to any objects that will become obstacles to liberation, not the value of the clung objects. At the time of death, if a rich person can distribute his assets properly, which leaves him with no attachment to his assets, the assets will not become obstacles to his liberation. To the contrary, even if one’s assets are not abundant, if one clings to them, then the assets will become obstacles to one’s liberation.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

When first joining Larung Gar, due to immaturity, we tended to be prideful when making progress in our study, H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche would regularly dismantle our ego by various means. Therefore, we dared not be conceited regardless how much progress we made. Our teachers were ruthless to a student with potential, seemingly scolding us daily. Because they were confident that the disciples would not get irritated and take off, thus he subdued us without holding back.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Shakyamuni Buddha once stated during transmitting dharma: it’s difficult for ordinary beings to analyse and comprehend the law of karma; thus before one’s wisdom reaches to certain levels, it’s best for one not to analyze the law of karma. Even analyzing it, one would not reap any result, rather, it’ll bring us doubt towards cause and effect, which will lead in turn to violating law and morality for some benefits of this life, causing harm to others with the wish not to be caught.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Enduring Hardship ~Buddhism teaches us to face suffering in the right way. We cannot run away from suffering; we should accept all circumstances with an open heart and embrace hardship. In so doing, we are able to transform suffering into a positive force or see it as a good teacher and friend.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

The goal of dharma practice is not to keep ourselves from ageing, or dying or being poor, rather, it’s about how we can be more compassionate, endowed with more wisdom, and benefit sentient beings more effectively.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Before engaging in main practice, we need to cultivate renunciation, which entails four practices of outer preliminary practices: preciousness of human body, the impermanence of human life, the infallibility of the law of karma, and the defects of samsara. Once having cultivated renunciation, we should not hurry to engage in practice of calm abiding and meditative concentration; rather, we need to cultivate bodhicitta. Without bodhicitta, there is no aim in our practice. Without aim, what’s the point of engaging in meditative concentration and dzogchen practice?

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Nobody can vanquish all foes, however if one can eliminate aggression, then it’s the equivalent to vanquishing all foes. The true foe exists in our mind, not outside.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES