KHENPO'S BLOG

About those past misdeeds that we have performed but cannot recall, we can contemplate like this: “All the misdeeds that I have committed since beginningless time, whether intentionally or unintentionally, are all wrong. As if they are the poison I have taken, I feel the greatest fear and regret for my action, and vow never to commit them ever again.” This way, all negative karma can be changed into mutable karma. The significance of such resolution cannot be overstated. Otherwise, any karmic effect will be possible if this is not done.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 1

All branches of Buddhism fall under Mahayana and Hinayana. There is no third vehicle (yana). To be a Hinayana practitioner, the first requisite is having unshakable renunciation—complete distaste for worldly fulfillments and whole-hearted pursuit of liberation from samsara. Do we have such resolution? If not, we would not qualify as Hinayana practitioners.

~ Depicted from THE RIGHT VIEW - The Three Supreme Methods—the ultimate methods of cultivating virtue and training the mind

To continue analyzing along this line can slowly but surely see some good results, making it easier to let go and allowing a new life to begin.

Psychotherapy can only help us take control of moods and feelings temporarily; it does not solve our problems. It is like taking a pain killer to temporarily chase away a headache. The Buddhist way, however, is to rely on theories that are both logical and convincing to cut to the root of the problems. Once the theories have been thought through and fully understood, the agony will never come back again.

The Theravadins have succeeded in controlling desire by way of this method, which proves the method is right and effective.

~ Depicted from "THE HANDBOOK FOR LIFE"S JOURNEY : On The Three Poisons - How to Handle Desire"

It is not necessary to forgo family, life, or work to practice meditation. While enjoying material wealth and family life in this world, we can make time for practice on a regular basis. If we can stay calm and relaxed in the midst of life ’s activities, we will be able to experience happiness that comes from the deep recesses of our mind.

~ Depicted from THE PAPER TIGER - The Tibetan Buddhist View on Happiness

Whether in this life or in the entire cycle of rebirth, we have three major problems: Firstly, the mind of greediness. Because of greed for wealth, fame and material goods, one invariably gets tied up with these. This greed has become one of the most crucial facets of the world of samsara.  Secondly, the selfish mind. Selfishness is indeed a real, serious issue in that one pursues one’s own self-interest at the expense of others. Lastly, attachment, which is the most serious— persistently holding onto everything and worrying about personal gain and loss concerning whatever one is attached to.

Owing to these three harmful states, we have been caught in the world of samsara and unable to attain liberation. The door to overcoming these problems is to practice the genuine Dharma.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 7

Some people may think of themselves as practitioners of Mahayana, Pure Land, Zen or Vajrayana, but never Hinayana practitioners. And they feel complacent, what with Mahayana being the supreme vehicle and Vajrayana simply outstanding, whereas Hinayana not being particularly profound. However, please carefully examine each one’s own motivation. Perhaps we will be ashamed to find that we are not even up to the standards of Hinayana practitioners.

~ Depicted from THE RIGHT VIEW - The Three Supreme Methods—the ultimate methods of cultivating virtue and training the mind

2. The second method is also the most important. In the midst of highly painful time, calm down and ask yourself, “I feel such unbearable pain, but what is pain anyway?” Of course we will all say, “It’s my heart, my mind, in pain.” What is mind then? At this point, we will discover that mind and pain are inseparable, that mind has become pain. If we look further at the nature of mind itself, we may suddenly realize that it’s like looking at empty space. At that moment, all of mind’s suffering instantly disappears; the so-called mind and suffering do not exist at all.

~ Depicted from "THE HANDBOOK FOR LIFE"S JOURNEY : On The Three Poisons - How to Handle Desire"

Thus, whether we are corporate executives or workers under great pressure, if we can meditate every evening for twenty minutes or half an hour, and let go of the negative emotions accumulated over the course of a day, we will be able to maintain a happier state of mind going into our sleep. In so doing, we effectively regulate both body and mind. According to psychologists, five minutes of deep meditation is equivalent to an hour of sleep. Hence, the practice of meditation every evening helps not only to regulate both body and mind, but also to maintain a high energy level.

~ Depicted from THE PAPER TIGER - The Tibetan Buddhist View on Happiness

Buddha Shakyamuni explained these concepts more than 2,500 years ago. People do not believe them, though, and even label Buddhism “negative”, “pessimistic”, and so on. In the 21st century, there are many people who do not have problems with food and clothing and even possess great wealth.  Thus, we now can see what happened in the current situation.

We must learn to let go of this outrageous selfishness. Otherwise, we will encounter mental problems. If our whole life is driven by vanity, we will never have happiness. Ordinary people cannot immediately put aside all selfishness, but if we are interested in how to let go of selfishness, Mahayana Buddhism provides us with many methods. If we train ourselves in Mahayana Buddhist philosophy and its practical methods, we will gradually become someone who is concerned for others and shares their happiness. This is what is called a bodhisattva.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 8