Quote Archives: 17th Karmapa

 

Attaching More Importance to the Form of Our Religious Identities than to the Substance of What They Teach Us ~ 17th Karmapa

In 2001, the huge Bamiyan Buddha statues in Afghanistan were intentionally demolished. From a certain perspective within Islam, these statues were offensive instruments of idol worship, while to Buddhists they were reminders of sacred principles and the very best of our innate human potential. Basically, we Buddhists use physical images in our spiritual practice, while […]

We truly have everything we need already ~ 17th Karmapa

The moment we stop letting greed make us chase after what we do not have and take for granted all that we do have, we can feel a deep and joyful sense of appreciation. We truly have everything we need already. 17th Karmapa

Speaking to Those Who Don’t Listen ~ 17th Karmapa

People in the part of Tibet that I come from are called Khampas, and we Khampas have a reputation for being stubborn and unwilling to listen to others’ view. There used to be a saying in Tibetan: “Khampas have their ears on their bottoms”, meaning you get to listen not by speaking to us, but […]

Loving Responsibility ~ 17th Karmapa

If we connect to others and to the planet with love and affection, our responsibility to bring about change does not have to weigh heavily on us at all. We will carry it gladly. 17th Karmapa

Recognizing what is actually there ~ 17th Karmapa

When we talk about the true nature of mind, when we say “nature,” it means the actual state, the actual situation that the mind is in. It’s simply a matter of recognizing what is there, what is actually there. So sometimes what is tricky for us to understand is that the reason we have not […]

Aspire to great things ~ 17th Karmapa

If we are attached to petty concerns and never aspired to anything great, we won’t accomplish much. What is petty and what is great? Petty is for oneself alone, for immediate gratification, and for harmful deeds, while great is for the many, for the long term, and for positive pursuits. Look closely – what have […]

The Greatness of Small Acts ~ 17th Karmapa

When you truly root yourself in a sense of responsibility and caring, then you will naturally act to ease the pain you see. Instead of being idealistic or waiting for the chance to have a big impact, you will be moved to act in small ways. And in the long run, this sense of deep […]

Interdependence at work ~ 17th Karmapa

You can see interdependence at work by looking at how your own life is sustained. Is it only through your own exertions? Do you manufacture all your own resources? Or do they come from others? When you contemplate these questions, you will see very quickly that you are able to exist only because of others. […]

Expanding our sense of ourselves ~ 17th Karmapa

Recalling the principle of interdependence, we can expand our sense of ourselves beyond the narrow limits of our own body and experiences, to encompass everything our life connects to. Then we can look beyond our own aims, and embrace others’ goals as our own. 17th Karmapa

Science and Religion ~ 17th Karmapa

Some people think science should take the place of religion in the modern world, but many others, even great scientists, disagree. Albert Einstein once said, “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” We need science. But we need religion, too. Scientific advancement brings consequences. Because of science, we have terrible nuclear weapons […]

Lamp in the darkness ~ 17th Karmapa

However much fighting there is in the world, however much darkness there is, we must be able to serve as small lamps in that darkness. 17th Karmapa

The true source of all fear ~ 17th Karmapa

The true source of fear is this: the clinging to self, to identity. Because I see self as something separate, something whole, something that is solid and independent, therefore, I fear losing that independent self; I fear being sick, I fear something bad happening to “me”. This is the true source of all fear. 17th […]

Importance of Calm Abiding ~ 17th Karmapa

We cannot immediately grasp the more advanced practices, such as the Great Seal (mahamudra) or the Great Completion (mahasandhi), both of which lead to the result of primordial wisdom. For all of these higher-level practices, we need a steady basis, which is none other than the correct practice of calm abiding. If the untamed mind […]

Applying the Dharma to our lives ~ 17th Karmapa

Generally, there is a similarity between what we call Dharma practice and how to live our lives in a proper way. In our ordinary lives, separate from the Dharma, if we have many doubts and much confusion, our purpose or our objective is not very clear. If we do not have a clear stance and […]

Little symbols of happiness ~ 17th Karmapa

Sometimes we develop grand concepts of what happiness might look like for us, but if we pay attention, we can see that there are little symbols of happiness in every breath that we take. 17th Karmapa

Intelligence ~ 17th Karmapa

Human beings are the most intelligent and resourceful species on earth. If we use our intelligence to cause more suffering, rather than to bring some real benefit to others and ourselves, we are no better than beasts. 17th Karmapa

Relationships in the absence of attachment ~ 17th Karmapa

The wish to pull in or push away what we perceive around us is a big force in our relationships. Rather than relaxing and appreciating the other person, we engage in a constant struggle to get what we want from them, and to avoid getting what we do not want. For that reason, in order […]

Giving and Receiving ~ 17th Karmapa

We may talk about the equality of ourselves and others, or exchanging ourselves with others, but we do not understand that this happens in everyday life. We think that it is something special or extraordinary, yet it is happening in our lives on a daily basis. We give something, and that opens the possibility of […]

Investigation ~ 17th Karmapa

Investigate the situation properly before taking action, whether in public or in private matters. Consider the long-term implications of your deeds. What is the best way to achieve your aims? What problems might arise and how can you avoid or overcome them? In the face of an insurmountable obstacle, what alternatives exist? The more you […]

Gender identities ~ 17th Karmapa

Our ideas about what it means to be a woman or a man – that is, our gender constructs – are given meaning and importance in our day-to-day reality. Gender identities permeate so much of our experience that it is easy to forget that they are just ideas – ideas created to categorize human beings. […]