Mingyur RinpocheMeditation is about learning to recognize our basic goodness in the immediacy of the present moment, and then nurturing this recognition until it seeps into the very core of our being
True devotion ~ Bokar Rinpoche
Bokar RinpocheWhen we pray to the lama, we imagine his body, his face, his familiar expression facing us, and we think it’s him. But truly, neither his body nor the expression of his face are quite the lama. The lama is his mind and its own specific qualities. When the lama dies, some people may experience great sadness. The thought of not seeing his physical form any more creates in their mind a painful feeling of separation. In fact, when the lama lets go of hisphysical form it is because he has finished transmitting what he wished to transmit to us. If we have developed the understanding that our mind is not different from his, there is no more separation. There is no more sadness even if the lama is no longer physically present. That is true devotion.
Finding delight in the forest ~ Buddha Shakyamuni
Buddha ShakyamuniHaving gone on his almsround, the sage should then go to the forest, standing or taking a seat at the foot of a tree. The enlightened one, intent on jhana, should find delight in the forest, should practice jhana at the foot of a tree, attaining his own satisfaction.
Knowing of one that frees all ~ Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche
Nyoshul Khen RinpocheEmptiness is the `knowing of one that frees all.’
Emptiness is the supreme king of medicines.
Emptiness is the nectar of immortality.
Emptiness is spontaneous accomplishment beyond effort.
Emptiness is enlightenment without exertion.
The birth of certainty ~ Lama Tsongkhapa
Lama TsongkhapaThe knowledge that appearances arise unfailingly in dependence,
And the knowledge that they are empty and beyond all assertions—
As long as these two appear to you as separate,
There can be no realization of the Buddha’s wisdom.Yet when they arise at once, not each in turn but both together,
Then through merely seeing unfailing dependent origination
Certainty is born, and all modes of misapprehension fall apart—
That is when discernment of the view has reached perfection.
Gentleness toward ourselves ~ Chögyam Trungpa
Chögyam TrungpaBy developing gentleness toward ourselves, the irritation of being with oneself is taken away. When that kind of friendliness to oneself occurs, then one also develops friendliness toward the rest of the world. At that point, sadness, loneliness, and wretchedness begin to dissipate. We develop a sense of humor. We don’t get so pissed off if we have a bad cup of coffee in the morning. Appreciating our human dignity comes from that.
Primordial purity ~ Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
Dzongsar Khyentse RinpocheAlthough we use words such as achieving, wishing, and praying for enlightenment, ultimately we don’t acquire enlightenment from an external source. A more correct way to put it is discovering the enlightenment that has always been there. Enlightenment is part of our true nature. Our true nature is like a golden statue; however, it is still in its mold, which is like our defilements and ignorance. Because ignorance and emotion are not an inherent part of our nature, just as the mold is not part of the statue, there is such a thing as primordial purity. When the mold is broken, the statue emerges. When our defilements are removed, our true buddhanature is revealed.
Learning from everything ~ Pema Chödron
Pema ChödronThere’s a reason you can learn from everything: you have basic wisdom, basic intelligence, and basic goodness.
The benefits of meditation ~ Lama Yeshe
Lama YesheThrough meditation, you learn about the nature of your mind rather than the sense world of desire and attachment. Why is this important? We think that worldly things are very useful, but the enjoyment they bring is minimal and transient. Meditation, on the other hand, has so much more to offer – joy, understanding, higher communication and control. Control here does not mean that you are controlled by somebody else, but rather by your own understanding knowledge-wisdom, which is a totally peaceful and joyful experience. Thus, meditation is very useful.
Why sentient beings suffer ~ Tai Situ Rinpoche
Tai Situ RinpocheIf you have a question as to why sentient beings suffer if they do the wrong thing, it is because it is contrary to their potential, they are doing something which is opposite to what they are. Therefore, the results they get are opposite to what they want. That is quite simple logic, don’t you think? We are the embodiment of liberation and freedom and that is ultimate happiness and joy. If we do something that is contrary to that, then we will end up suffering. It is not somebody’s punishment for us. For example, if we throw a rock up in the air, then what will fall on our head will be a rock. If we throw a flower up in the air, then what will fall on our head will be a flower.
Spirituality and ethics beyond religion ~ 14th Dalai Lama
14th Dalai LamaAll the world’s major religions, with their emphasis on love, compassion, patience, tolerance, and forgiveness can and do promote inner values. But the reality of the world today is that grounding ethics in religion is no longer adequate. This is why I am increasingly convinced that the time has come to find a way of thinking about spirituality and ethics beyond religion altogether.
Many paths, single moon ~ Ikkyu
IkkyuMany paths lead from
The foot of the mountain,
But at the peak
We all gaze at the
Single bright moon.
How to find a buddha ~ Bodhidharma
BodhidharmaTo find a buddha, all you have to do is see your nature. Your nature is the buddha. And the buddha is the person who’s free, free of plans, free of cares. If you don’t see your nature and run around all day looking somewhere else, you’ll never find a buddha. The truth is, there’s nothing to find. But to reach such an understanding you need a teacher. And you need to struggle to make yourself understand.
Buddha nature cannot be fabricated ~ Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
Tulku Urgyen RinpocheIf our nature wasn’t already enlightened, we couldn’t awaken to it no matter how hard we tried. Buddha nature cannot be fabricated. Our nature is primordially enlightened, but at present our ordinary body, speech and discursive thinking obscures it. The nature of our mind, buddha nature, is like space itself, but it is space obscured by clouds. The whole point of Dharma practice is to remove the clouds and allow the actualization of what already is – the awakened state of mind, the buddha nature. The nature of our mind is primordially pure, primordially enlightened. The way to remove our two obscurations is to train in conditioned virtue and the unconditioned training in original wakefulness – the two accumulations.
The three essential factors on which the accomplishment of the Dharma depends ~ Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Dilgo Khyentse RinpocheThe three essential factors on which the accomplishment of the Dharma depends are: to meet with a qualified teacher; by receiving the instructions, to cultivate the correct attitude; and finally, to have the necessary material conditions.
If we do not follow a genuine master, we will never know how to practice the teachings. If the Buddha had not turned the Wheel of Dharma, we should not know what actions we should do and what actions we should refrain from. How can we, who have not had the fortune to meet the Buddha in person, practice the path of liberation if we do not follow a master? How else could we recognize paths which are mistaken and inferior? Moreover, just as we treat stiff leather with oil to make it smooth and supple, so too we should practice the teachings correctly, with a calm and docile attitude, undisturbed by afflictive emotions. Finally, living in the realm of desire, as we do, we find it impossible to practice the Dharma if we lack food to fill our stomachs and clothes to cover us against the wind.
If we have these three essential factors complete we should be happy at the thought that we have all that is necessary to practice the teachings. It is as though we have been equipped with a good horse for an uphill journey – the way will be without difficulty. And we should pray that all beings might be just as fortunate.
If, however, we do not possess all of these essential factors, we should reflect that though we have entered the Buddhadharma and received plenty of teachings and instructions, we still lack the conditions suitable for practice.
As a matter of fact, there are many disciples who are unable to practice properly because of this shortcoming. They have what is known as ‘good karma going wrong.’ As was explained before, ‘Old yogis getting rich; old teachers getting married.’ We should feel sorry for such people and pray from our hearts that the cause of their not having such favorable conditions might ripen on us and that, as a result, their situation might be improved.
The utter simplicity of the Buddha’s message ~ Ponlop Rinpoche
Ponlop RinpocheIf we look like Buddhists and talk like Buddhists and sit on a cushion like the other Buddhists, then we think we are automatically followers of the Buddha’s teachings. But all these concepts are cutting us off from the utter simplicity of the Buddha’s example and message. We do wheat we do simply to wake up, simply to be free. Any form we use is only a support of accomplishing that purpose. We could be perfect in the performance of a thousand rituals, and they could all be empty of all meaning or benefit if we don’t connect with our heart. If we’re not developing our awareness in our everyday life, then we’re missing the point.
As messed up as ever ~ Tenzin Palmo
Tenzin PalmoOnce I’ve sorted myself out and really figured out who I am the I’ll be alright.” But years down the line people are still as messed up as ever. The problem is we’re identifying ourselves with the wrong thing. Identifying ourselves with the ‘I’ we solidify ourselves, but it’s also why people feel so lonely and alienated and can only respond to their computers.
In the hearts of all beings ~ Yeshe Tsogyal
Yeshe TsogyalIf you know me, you know that I reside in the hearts of all beings. Just summon me and I will return!
Unaltered like the pure sky ~ Saraha
SarahaClouds draw water from the ocean to fall as rain on the earth
And there is neither increase nor decrease;
Just so, reality remains unaltered like the pure sky.
Balanced Life ~ 17th Karmapa
17th KarmapaYour own interests and your own life will be balanced only when they include both the well-being of yourself and others. Any wholesome undertaking necessarily includes a desire to benefit others. If an undertaking is egocentric and full of self-cherishing, then that balance will be extremely difficult to find and maintain.