Teaching on the third day (18 Oct) of the one-week meditation retreat with Hwayue Foundation, 2019
In meditation the direction we are moving towards is that of non-doing. We already have so much that we need to do in our lives, and if meditation is seen as being something else that we must do, it becomes just another task to add to our to-do list. It will become a burden, a […]
Second day of teachings at the one-week retreat hosted by the Hwayue Foundation, Taiwan, 2019
When reading or listening to a teaching do not focus on the words; focus on your own mind. The words are like a mirror through which you can see your own anger, desire, etc. The texts do not have anger and the other afflictions, but they can help you see your own if you use […]
Teaching on the first day of the one-week meditation retreat with Hwayue Foundation, Taiwan, 2019
Only those who have faith and who are diligent can learn real meditation; those who are lazy will never get it. Some people think that only lazy people come to meditate, while the diligent read books. In fact, it’s the opposite. Lazy people study books; diligent people try their best to meditate. I say because […]
Thrangu Sekhar Retreat Center, Teaching given to the Chinese students, 21 July 2019
What is dharma? Dharma is not something in the book that you read, nor is it something new that you need to learn and keep in mind. Anything that is not related to your mind is not dharma. So what is dharma? Dharma is everything that you see and experience right now, it is all […]
Teaching given to Chinese students at Thrangu Sekhar Retreat Center, Nepal, 14 August 2019
My constant and most important prayer is that I may be able to ignore myself and my own needs, and to always hold sentient beings at the centre of my heart – to keep others in mind and to forget about myself. When I’m seized by moments of mindfulness, I recite or bring to mind […]
Teaching to the retreat staff, Thrangu Sekhar Retreat Centre, Nepal, 20 July 2019
I wish that after many years of training a student in the dharma, from the outside they will appear unsophisticated, uneducated and maybe a little simple. On looking at them you wouldn’t get the impression that they were anything special; they would be humble and easy going. But inside they would be rich in learning […]
Thrangu Sekhar Retreat Centre, Nepal, 9 May 2019
While I do sometimes worry what will become of me after I die, it doesn’t trouble me too badly. What worries me the most is wasting the time I have now, before I die. Each day is an opportunity, an opportunity that we can never retrieve if we let it go to waste. To not […]
9th One-Week Meditation Retreat, Hong Kong, June 2019
I honestly hope and aspire to one day be able to practise the greater vehicle, mahamudra, dzogchen and other secret mantra practices. But in this life, if I am able to have an authentic practice of the lower vehicle I would be absolutely delighted and think I am doing something amazing. Actually, it’s what I […]
I only fear two things, I am scared of my lamas because they have been so good to me. They have helped me with my way of thinking so that now I know I won’t be overwhelmed by the hardships of this life, even if I do hit hard times I do not dwell on […]
2nd UK Kagyu Monlam, Kagyu Samye Ling, Scotland, 13 June 2019
What is meant by the true dharma? It is a certain way of mind. It is not something outside of one. There are two areas of dharma: the dharma of scripture and the dharma of realisation. We can say that the methods found in the dharma that correct our way of thinking are the dharma […]
Namo Buddha Seminar, 16 April 2019
I know you all love your mahamudra and dzogchen, don’t you? There’s probably not one of you in this room who have not had an introduction to the nature of mind. So I have a question for you: Who introduced the nature of mind to you? Who introduced mahamudra to you? I’m sure immediately the […]
Teaching at Tara Rokpa Centre, Groot Marico, South Africa, 1st September 2017
Question: The belief in past and future life is intrinsic to being a Buddhist. I’m not looking for definitive proof, but the seed of doubt in my mind noticeably affects my practice. Please could you help me to destroy this doubt and deepen my motivation. Answer: Generally this is a difficult but also very essential […]
Meditation Retreat - AM Teaching, Kagyu Samye Ling, UK, 9 October 2016
Summary: Recognising the enemy, Shiney and the four thoughts. Kunga said he’s refusing to translate unless he gets a higher seat, and since we can’t get another translator at short notice, we’ve got no choice. Who knows, maybe tomorrow I’m going to be sitting where he is, and he’s going to be sitting up […]
Discussion in a local Buddhist study group in Taipei, Taiwan, 24 October 2017
Student’s Question: How should we respond if some of our family members challenge our belief in Buddhism as being just blind faith? Rinpoche’s Answer: The way I think about it is, if our families say that our belief in Buddhism is just blind faith, they are right. I’d tell them they’re spot on and […]
Teaching on 'The Precious Garland of the Supreme Path' to the retreat staff, Thrangu Sekhar Retreat Center, Nepal
The Sanskrit word ‘guru’ translated as ‘lama’ in Tibetan, has the sense of weightiness; meaning the individual is laden with excellent qualities. These qualities have nothing to do with a person’s position or status, nor with their level of education, but are principally concerned with the way they think: their renunciation, bodhichitta and view of […]
