Look at the actual nature of harm itself: it is ungraspable. Like a drawing made on the water´s surface. When you truly experience that, resentment vanishes of its own accord. As soon as the fiery waves of thoughts subside, everything becomes like empty sky, which has nothing to gain and nothing to lose. Dilgo Khyentse […]
To use our human lives to accomplish the Buddha dharma, is like crossing the ocean in search of costly jewels and afterwards returning home with every kind of precious thing; the difficulties of the trip will have been well rewarded. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Do all that you can to bring your own stubborn mind under control and to develop your faith, diligence and renunciation. Never think that the dharma you are practising is for your benefit alone. To recite even a single mani mantra is of inconceivable benefit, so dedicate it for the sake of all who live. […]
In short, afflictive emotions only have the power that you give to them. Rather than indulging in them again and again, be rid of them once and for all, and then liberation will be near at hand. To succeed, you are going to have to summon up strong determination. Otherwise, your teacher’s instructions will not […]
We need to be born a human being, as this is the only state of existence in which there is enough suffering to give us an acute desire to be free from samsara, yet not so much suffering that we no longer have the opportunity to free ourselves through the practice of Dharma. If we […]
A beautiful object has no intrinsic quality that is good for the mind, nor an ugly object any intrinsic power to harm it. Beautiful and ugly are just projections of the mind. The ability to cause happiness or suffering is not a property of the outer object itself. For example, the sight of a particular […]
The more you are preoccupied by your own physical aging, the more anxious you will become. Do not worry so much about your physical appearance. Concentrate, rather, on not wasting your life. Practice the Dharma. The more you engage in it, the more your satisfaction will grow. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Having this precious human life is like having a well-rigged ship on which to sail across the ocean to an island of treasures. As Shantideva says in The way of the Bodhisattva: Cross the sea of emotions On the boat of human existence. You have not obtained this precious human existence just by chance. It […]
Trample on anger with realization and it dissolves like a cloud in the sky; and as it dissolves, the notion of ‘enemy’ will vanish with it. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
In the struggle against the emotions, if you lose your vigilance even for a moment you have to revive it at once — in the same way that a swordsman in battle who lets slip his sword must pick it up again immediately. The very instant an emotion arises, the thought of using the antidote […]
The wind blows through the sky and flies over continents without settling anywhere. It traverses space and leaves no trace. Thus should thoughts pass through our minds, leaving no karmic residues and not altering our realization of fundamental simplicity. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Phenomena adorn emptiness, but never corrupt it. If you have a thorough understanding of the way phenomena appear through dependent arising, it will not be difficult for you to understand the view of emptiness while remaining in meditation. On arising from such a meditation and entering the path of action, you will recognize clearly the […]
All aspects of phenomena are completely clear and lucid. The whole universe is open and unobstructed – everything is mutually interpenetrating. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Indeed, adversaries and people who try to harm you can be powerful sources of help on the bodhisattva path. By bringing about situations which would normally trigger your anger or hatred, they give you the precious opportunity to train in transforming those negative emotions with patience. On the path, such people will do you far […]
The literal meaning of guru yoga is ‘union with the teacher´s nature’. To blend your mind with the teacher’s mind is the most profound of all practices, and the shortest path of realization. It is the life force of the path and the one practice that includes all others. It was through relying on a […]
Even if your storerooms and wardrobes are full, you can still only eat one meal and wear one garment at a time. In truth, all you need is enough nourishment to keep going and clothing to protect you from the elements. As for these two necessities, do not worry about them: the Buddha promised that […]
Someone who has been captured with a hook has no option but to go wherever he is led. In the same way, if we catch hold of our mind – which risks being distracted by the objects of the six senses – with the hook of mindfulness, and with vigilance and carefulness, this will be […]
Even when you find yourself in the best of situations, you never feel it is enough. You always want more. You give little thought to others wishes and desires, and only want favorable circumstances for yourself. If you do the slightest favor for someone, you feel you have done something quite extraordinary. That you are […]
Since there is no self, there is also no other. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
You will fall sick, experience pain, and encounter many adverse circumstances. At such times do not think, ‘Although I am practicing the Dharma, I have nothing but trouble. The Dharma cannot be so great. I have followed a teacher and done so much practice, and yet hard times still befall me.’ Such thoughts are wrong […]
