Something wrong?
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
Dear friends,
I came across this wonderful quote and decided to give a short explanation on it. I hope it bring some clarity to our minds at a much needed time and daily. We all get confused or like to use the confusion to bow out of something really good for us and end up with tons of regrets. Let’s not do that. Listen to the video and have another view. I wish you the best!
Tsem Rinpoche
Watch “The Battle is a Good Sign”
Most people feel cozy enough in samsara. They do not really have the genuine aspiration to go beyond samsara; they just want samsara to be a little bit better…
The underlying motivation to go beyond samsara is very rare, even for people who go to Dharma centers.
There are many people who learn to meditate and so forth, but with the underlying motive that they hope to make themselves feel better.
And if it ends up making them feel worse, instead of realizing that this may be a good sign, they think there is something wrong with Dharma.
We are always looking to make ourselves comfortable in the prison house. We might think that if we get the cell wall painted a pretty shade of pale green, and put in a few pictures, it won’t be a prison any more.
~Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo
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Thank you Rinpoche for this profound teachings. Dharma as an inner wisdom, or a cosmic guidance that governs not only the individual, but the universe itself. Letting go is the most essential path to our purpose. Each day, make a conscious choice to let go of something unessential, so that our life will open up to receive, recharge. The purpose of dharma is to help us transform our mind to grow, to clarify. Work on ourselves and never react to the condition . Do not try to change anything. Be ourselves. Work on ourselves then one see things in a new light, view our situation differently. This battle is a good sign because our wisdom clarify has raise up a level. We should go all the ways learning and practice Dharma. Never give up nor matter what happen and following our Guru advice.
Everybody had their own struggles especially when dealing with Dharma practice in this samsara. As a Dharma practitioner we should always be caring, patience and mindful enough of other sufferings before taking actions or condemning. While we are fighting our battles, it’s good to always depend on our prayers, protector and our Guru’s teachings. Consistent with our daily practices, our mind and struggles will ultimately cease and in peace. Therefore, we should always practice to have a grateful mind and appreciation in Dharma.
Thank you Stella for listening to my humble sharing. We all have our own battle. Trusting our Guru and protector is very important. When the battle or mara come, especially when we were tired and piled up with problems, when we are fighting over our old bad habit and wisdom, remember, trusting our Guru and protector can be the key. After all the struggling, our mind and faith will become stronger. Stay close and never give up.
It is always easy to blame others. Some people can spend their entire life to blame others and blaming the world. However, If we truly follow the Buddha teachings passed by the guru and apply the dharma in our daily life, we have to stop blaming other people and always think of not to give suffering to others. We need to check our mind and motivation why we choose to do dharma works in the first place. Always think and contemplate about others and their sufferings, continue to practice and do more dharma works to benefit many others.
Thank you Rinpoche for this profound teaching.
It is interesting to have this topic discussed during the weekly blog chat sharing session, because everyone get to share their inner battle and hear feedback on what would work for them or not. It is fascinating for me to listen to Julia’s sharing of how to deal with the battle; it will all past eventually. The support of the Dharma family is also important. Rinpoche has given the ultimate solution to dealing with the battle, which is to do more. Cynthia shared that it is also good to remember why we do Dharma work in the first place.
Thank you, everyone, for the sharing.
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing. Learning Dharma makes us understand that materialism make us unhappy. However, when we actually do dharma work and when we need to make the decision to choose between the Dharma work or samsaric work, the selection path is so painful. This battle is a good sign because our wisdom clarify has raising. We should go all the ways learning and practice Dharma.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing, gave a short and wonderful explain to us. Dharma equal to Wisdom , the more you learn Dharma and the more Wisdom you gain but there is no result when didn’t apply it and practice. I always ask myself to leave my comfort zone , unlearn and relearn , no complaining and accept every problem. Thanks again for Rinpoche taught us Dharma and able to enhance my inner spiritual wealth.
Dear Rinpoche,
What I realized is that we shall never be to attached to anything.
We should never be too attached to our own projected limitation of capabilities. We should never be too attached to our own standard of thinking of right and wrong, as we may misunderstand that the “wrongs” might turn out to be right; and the “right” to be wrong, never be too attached to own view. We should never be attached to failure in life, which including the career, relationship with family, loved ones, colleagues, others and most importantly oneself. We should neither be too hard to ourselves nor to easy to ourselves, too hard will break and too easy will not work out, just like Buddha found The Middle Way. Never be too attached yet don’t be unattached.
Difficulties will arise yet don’t think that it is permanent just go through and let it go, it is impermanent and it’ll just pass by. Go with the flow yet always remember one’s ultimate goal and motivation.
Keep an easy and flexible mind.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this teachings. Take care.
With folded hands,
Carmen Lin
Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing. The first 1 min of the video really hit me between the eyes. Sometimes in the midst of doing dharma work, the question “what am I doing this? Can I not work the easier path?” arises. It is very encouraging to learn that the more I think like this, the more I should do. May I always have the merits to remember this and may many more people benefit from this teaching as well.
能在今世跟仁波切学藏传佛法绝对不是偶然，其实我们在前几世已经留下佛法修行的印记所以有幸再和仁波切结缘。 各位同修们，难免前世种的因，今世已成果所以造成我们今世会有前世因缘的纠纷。所以我们今世还是要放开执着，许下承诺，让我们跟仁波切共同努力，弘扬佛法。不要再辜负仁波切的慈悲心和好意。感谢仁波切不断的给予开示， 教诲，教导我们。
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this teaching. I will always bear this in mind whenever difficulties arises. This is a battle that everyone of us has to fight and win. Winning at the end is freedom from our own delusions. We are always getting distracted by the wrong things in life and always thinking that it is good. I’m still training myself to look beyond my own problems and not focusing on myself but for others. I’ll bear this in mind that the battle is the good sign, the feeling of discomfort when doing Dharma is actually my own comfort zone.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for giving us an explanation of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo’s quote.
Being new to dharma, I have experienced many new emotions, from feeling pretty good and spiritual about myself after a virtuous deed to feeling wrought with guilt after choosing a samsaric activity over a dharmic one.
I have to admit, It’s difficult for me to possess this 100% motivation to benefit others or engage in any dharmic activity every single day. And on those days when I’m not feeling that 100%, I feel guilty and have many doubts about myself. I didn’t know what to call this new feeling. “Am I fair-weather buddhist? Why am I feeling like this? Where did this come from all of a sudden?!”
This would pretty much cripple my ability to be productive at work and I’d make mistakes often. However, after watching this teaching, I can understand this feeling a lot more now and I know what must be done.
Thank you once again for this teaching with us.
Jim
We should never blame anyone especially the Dharma when the practice gets uncomfortable, or out of hand. Instead of blaming others for our problems, we should use our misfortunes to deepen our understanding of Dharma, by training our mind to recognise and view everything as a spiritual guide as always being indicated in the teachings. With proper deep thinking patiently applied, it is said that we can turn these situations to our advantage. We are advised always to follow to the great teachings of Atisha who said:- “The best spiritual friend is one who attacks your faults. The best instuctions are the ones that hit those faults. The best friends are the mindfulness and vigilance. The best incentives are enemies, obstacles and sufferings of illness. The best method is not to fabricate anything….!” For as long as we are real to ourselves, we must keep going to try to get out of samsara, for if more of us get free, the faster suffering ends. Thank you Rinpoche for enlightening us every now and then by these sharing.
This is really profound and enlightening! Rinpoche’s commentary has made me realised that wrong view arises from the mind that is not familiar with dharma –the correct way of thinking–, is the culprit wrongly perceived having internal battle is bad and shouldn’t happen if we practise the dharma. It wrongly perceived that being in dharma, working for dharma, serving the dharma etc should result in positive impacts in our lives, positive in the sense that all our secular needs and wants are fully pacified and we live happily ever after. When it works otherwise, the idea that we are always right is being challenged, our ego is being shaken so we tuned into the battle mode to fight against the dharma so that the wrong views we hold dearly will be protected. This is why Jetsunma said some of us just want to make samsara a little better.
The higher purpose for meditation is never meant for relaxation or hide from our own problems. It is meant to help us to focus and get closer to our nature, to elimate defilements and to realise the truth. By learning meditation to relax or release stress is wanting samsara to be a little bit better. This applies to those who join charitable organisation, volunteering, helping the poor and homeless etc occasionally. If we realised the nature of samsara, we will want to get out of it completely. There is really nothing worth having and spending time for in samsara, but the practise of mind transformation according to the dharma. This is the only way out of samsara!
It is a huge relief for me to realised that wrong views can be eliminated by going full force with dharma, that dharma is the gateway to total freedom from samsara. It is a wonderful feelings to realise that the more negativity arise while doing dharma, the closer we are to the real freedom. It is a complete waste and pity if we give into our wrong views and remained control by them. We should be wise and be in control, to apply the same defend tendency we have towards protecting our wrong views to protect ourselves from our wrong views. As we practise accordingly, we’ll reach a state where the body, speech and mind are in sync, and this is the joyous thing that can happen to us in life, like a car that runs smoothly without defect on a wide and clear highway, nothing is in our way, everything just flow naturally and beautifully according to the truth, the correct way of life. How wonderful can that be!
Between right and wrong views is just a slight adjustments of our perceptions like a light bulb that only needed a twist to be in the position to lit. It is just that simple! The clear mind arises easily if we let go of all the thoughts and concepts we wrongly perceived as right with the consistency of practising the dharma. It is quicker and faster for us to achieve this if we are in an environment that give rise to doubts, a dharma centre for example, where our wrong perceptions are being challenged the most. In most cases, our Guru is seen as the enemy because he/she tells us nothing but the truth with a tremendous amount of knowledge, wisdom and experience. So when doubts arise upon hearing them, we should know that we are the problem, we have doubts about ourselves, that’s why we doubt our Guru and not wanting to accept the truth about who we temporary are and do not see the need to change. Instead of getting angry and threatening to leave our Guru, we should meditate on the kindness and compassion of our Guru, look close and analyse our arisen negative thoughts, and transform. If only many understand and willing to go through that process, then we can enjoy the priceless benefits that follow overwhelmed with gratifications to our Guru.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for sharing the teaching on the quote of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo. It is encouraging to continue our journey knowing that the battle in us is a good sign. Your explanation in the teaching is very clear, and the only way to conquer it is to embrace more Dharma work. Keeping our mind checked at all time is very crucial and we need to nurture our motivation of doing Dharma work to the highest level along the spiritual path. A Dharma sister shared recently on something you once said to her, “we should live every minute of our lives for the benefit of others ”. You do not just say it but have consistently shown us by example your compassion for all sentient beings at all times. Let us learn by your example and not wonder in our own comfort zone.
In my spiritual journey, I have been guilty many times of wanting to give up and leave the practice because I was too conflicted with myself and faced too many obstacles that it frustrated me. When faced with Dharma work and being with people in the Dharma environment, I have experienced feelings of guilt, uneasiness and even anger. Hence it was comforting and a relief to know from Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo’s point of view and Rinpoche’s explanation, that having these feelings are actually good signs because as human beings we have the intellectual capability to think, reflect and contemplate upon our actions and consequences, and realise that the path beyond Samsara is fraught with conflicts and many obstacles which are mostly self inflicted. And if I can overcome my lazinesss and ego and break free from the self imposed prison I created, to persevere in my journey to wisdom and enlightenment, I can indeed find true happiness in serving the Dharma selflessly. So instead of choosing the easy way out and blame Dharma for my confusion, conflict and doubts, I can intellectually make the right choice to never give up.
I ready appreciated rinpoche had shared this profound teaching of Tenzin Palmo. After reading through this article and listen dharma talk clip, my mind felt more calm and peace and understand how our mind operate create such emotion and unhappiness.
Don’t blaming dharma and people who show you the truth of the samsara. if we did not wrong motive coming for dharma and never learn the real dharma apply in our daily live. More negative thought will arise and we are always unhappy and blaming other that yourself.
This teaching has awakening mind to constantly check through my motivation and propose why i in the dharma. Thank you rinpoche again to sharing this precious teaching to overcome our samsaric mind.
Dear Rinpoche, thank you for the explanation of this quote. It seems that discomfort or creating dissonance in the mind is necessary and is the first step of making change. However, some tend to run away but if we move forward and face the discomfort by addressing the underlying reasons of “discomfort” transformation would follow, but not without undue inner conflict. Understanding that when our thought is incongruent with our behaviour, our emotional state of mind is altered. At this point, we could either choose to address it by taking action or completely negate it to not experience the negative emotion or the battle. Thank you Rinpoche for shedding light to this essential “state of mind”.
Now I know why my mind contridicts so much and so often!!! Fortunately like what rinpoche said, it’s a good sign otherwise I will be feeling very bad everytime when my mind starts ‘fighting’ again. I hope to wake up one fine day and realised what I have been engaging in (mundane) is completely useless and meaningless, propelling me in full-force to gain great renunciation. I like this teaching because I’m able to gain some ground on my spiritual path, knowing what’s my pace and where I am now. It’s an indicator or measuring stick to guage where’s my level. I appreciate Your teaching on this indeep dharma, very good for contemplation and reasoning within the mind…at Your exalted feet always – Tenzin Thokpa
Dearest Rinpoche,
Many (including myself) cannot face the truth especially about themselves very well. When faced with the truth, many opt to shift the blame others and criticise the world instead of internalising and finding out what is actual the problem within themselves. During my pre-Dharma life, I used to find factors that caused my stress, pain, sufferings and seek to find faults in whatever and whoever. Never did it crossed my ignorant and egoistic mind that the problem was actually me. Thankfully, after discovering Rinpoche’s blog and your many, many precious teachings, I have begun to internalise and start to heal my mind.
I used to feel utterly awful whenever I had the very battle that Rinpoche speaks about in this post. Now that I know that it is a natural process and will not focus so much on why the battle is happening but to focus more on how to move on to actually win the battle. Hopefully, with your blessings, I will win this battle soon.
Many thanks for this post as it made me think. A lot. 🙂
From your humble student with folded hands,
Sharon
Dear Rinpoche, Thank you so much for this very important teaching especially for many of us who has taken the path of dharma. This teaching explains a lot of the conflicted feelings that arises in me many times along the way. Depression, anger, unmotivated and defeated because of the truth of a person I am the more I learn and develop some realization. I understand that our conscience is deep rooted within us buried deep underneath all the dirt we have collected. Dharma practice is the way to unfold it. Many filth will come out during the “detox” process.
I feel a big relief to know that these feelings is not bad after all but is only natural. It’s what we do with these feelings that makes it bad or good. Nobody wants to feel worse than how they are feeling already. We can choose to make the most of it or run away physically from the bad feeling. The thing is how can we run away from ourselves? We take us everywhere we go.
The solution to overcome this battle as what Rinpoche has taught definitely works. I have tried my best to apply it and there will be times when I have to force myself to apply it again and again. It’s a neverending battle but each battle you win, we go up one step higher. Dharma is not an easy path for sure. Samsara is worse. How I overcome the difficulties of dharma is to remind myself how difficult life is during those days I lived without dharma.
Thank You Rinpoche for sharing this meaningful messsage.We know by studying the Dharma & applying the teachings properly we can improve ourselves to become a better person but still we NEVER take an effort to do so …then we must stop complaining & blaming everybody & everything for making us unhappy.It’s always our bad habit to blame others for all the wrongs that we did.. to cover up our laziness,selfishness & all our weaknesses.We are the actual caused for all our unhappiness. Dharma is not complicated or hard to apply.Just follow the 3 Right’S = Right Thoughts, Right Speech & Right Actions.
谢谢仁波切选择在马来西亚成立克切拉佛教中心，也感恩我今生有机缘接触佛法，在克切拉学习。
当初我加入克切拉佛教中心的目的是灵修,所以我已经有心理准备迎接任何会发生在我身上的任何事情。
在这几个月内， 也学到了很多东西， 知道自己其实还有很多很多东西要改进， 才可以得到我想要的成果。
希望大家一起努力
Thank you rinpoche fr your sharing, I do experience this self battling from time to time. Initially, I feel so helpless, I will turn on your youtube and see if I can find the answer. Am so happy that you did mention in one of the talks, that self battling is very common. I feel so relief and never forget referring to dharma wikipedia whenever I’m in a crossroad, especially the basic one, 8 versas of mind transformation. And thank you for making this as a searchable topic now :)!
I did talk with my non dharma friends what’s going on in my mind, they sometimes get confuse and ignore me why am I dissapointed with someone and can get over it in a second…I told them the ultimate goal is Peace. I think I am no difference with most people who love the family members. Instead of buying gift and bring them for good food or traveling to show our love and appreciation, this round I am going to do it differently. Being a vegetarian, do daily sadhana and learn more dharma. I wish I can contribute more in the future. Please bless me to be able to self help and helping others…though they don’t agree with me now, I do very care about them.
Last but not least, I can only blame myself but not the dharma center or guru; if guru looks “not right”, that’s just the reflection of my “not right” actions and thoughts.
Thank you again for your blessing. 🙂
From dumbx2 forgetful dreamy Daisy
Dear Rinpoche,
I couldnt agree more with Rinpoche on this teaching. Most people go to a Dharma centre to seek solace and meditate to help make themselves (myself included) feel better. For me, coming to Kechara initially was to seek help to solve my problems and difficulties which i have learned to understand. By learning and applying the Dharma has made me a better person.
Dharma centre helps to reflect our mind and the causes of our unhappiness. We should not blame our Guru, the centre, our Dharma brothers & sisters who we think are making us unhappy. Instead we should go all the way to do more Dharma work and take more responsibilities which is a process for our mind to become better.
We should overcome our laziness & unwillingness by engaging more in Dharma work which will bring us to a level of new higher self. We should discard our old habituations of laziness, unwillingness, lying, denial which has lead us to short term happiness but created more suffering for ourselves in the long term.
Thank you, Rinpoche for your aspiration to have Kechara House with many different type of activites for us to do our practice. Each of the activities have their own uniqueness which caters to people of all gender, age and race. All the activites are in line with Dharma teachings for us to contemplate, apply and practice.
The recent Lamrim recitation on Day 4 gives me a good insight and reflection of my faults in my Dharma practice. It explains the meaning of making offerings, our motivation, delusions that hinder us to continue our practices, developing bodhicitta which leads us to the path of Enlightenment. I realize my faults and will continue to learn & be consistent in my Dharma practice for the benefit of all sentient beings.
With folded hands,
Rena
感谢尊贵的师父詹杜固仁波切 不断的给予开示 教诲 教导我们
看完师父的开示后 突然有这样的一个想法
师父本来可以安逸的待在甘丹或金刚瑜伽母天堂里 然而师父慈悲与不忍心 看到我们在
娑婆世界里 执迷不悟 于是不断的转世来教导帮助我们离开这满满苦的娑婆世界
本来师父可以选择在转世时可以很轻松自在的生活里 但是师父选择了 一个坎坷
身世的转世 并然后一步一脚印的 战战兢兢 千辛万苦的 台湾-美国-印度 并最后
带着一颗慈悲的心来到这佛法弱的马来西亚宏法 经历很多的点点滴滴把克切拉 发展成
今天的模式 师父是一位伟大的活佛转世 然而选择这样一个坎坷的身世与旅程 所要
表达的是 为我们这群娑婆世界里的人树立一个很好的榜样 在佛法事业里 无论遇到
什么挫折 什么样不好的情绪 或 伤害 都不要轻言放弃 我们的佛法修行道路 。
伟大的上师为佛法所承受的苦 远远比我们多百倍万倍 然而师父秉持着一份对他上师
的承诺 与一份慈悲的心 就是要告诉我们 如这视频开示的 一份鉴定不移的心 一份
对上师依止的心 在佛法的修行到路 我们一定可以走到最后 并开花结果。
我在师父这视频里 最深入我心的部分 是关于师父用癌症的治疗过程来比喻佛法修行
当初我们因为什么动机而进入了佛法中心 师父好比是医生 佛陀的教诲是药方
而我们在佛法里 所呈现的种种 不好的心思 痛苦的感觉 其实是 我们的治疗开始有了
成果 倘若我们现在就放弃了 并抱怨 那么不觉得可惜吗？或许我们真的觉得太辛苦了
然而师父不就已经把自己当作活生生的一个成功的列子来给我们教诲吗？
我在师父这视讯里 最深入我心的话是 当我们在佛法工作与修行的道路上 遇到伤害
挫折 或痛苦迷茫时 那是一个很好的显示 而我们该如何面对的方法是 做更多的佛法
工作与修行 师父的这番话 给了我很多的能量 让我知道了 原来 我们在佛法的道路
上 原来遇到的所有的痛苦与迷茫原来不是我们自己而已 是全部人都会有这样的感觉
而师父更慈悲的陪伴着我们 一起走在这娑婆旅程上 而方法 原来不是抱怨或投诉！
方法是做更多的佛法修行与工作：）
无论当初我们抱着一个怎样的心来到这里 在佛法里 我们现在学习了很多
我们应该抱着一个更谦卑的心学习与面对 坦然面对佛法深深的插入我们自己的内心
坦然地面对佛法
如何帮助我们远离一切恶习 面对我们自己在娑婆世界里自以为是的快乐与舒适圈
感谢师父 祈愿师父长住在世 常转法轮
并祈愿我们都有很好的发心 希望透过佛法工作与佛法修行 而利益更多更多的众生
jerry sito
Dharma is the path that lead the practitioners to achieve the ultimate goal therefore people seeking for spiritual path. Some go all the way, some drop by and some stuck with something along the way due to delusion minds of people which come from different of motivations, views, experience, expectations etc.
When something go wrong, it’s easy to blame others instead ourselves as its give us not feel guilty and no need to take responsible about it. However we could not run away from the truth and from ourselves.
People live trying to make their situation temporarily better, it is a short term focus. At the present moment, if it makes me feel ok, then there is no need to change it until something else comes along, we deal with it and make it okay again and so on and so forth until the end of our lives. Therefore, to look for a goal beyond samsara is rare. Because human nature is to deal with what they can feel right now and if there is nothing wrong, there’s no need to fix. And of course, “wrong” being subjective.
Having said that, when you learn the Dharma, you learn that even if you think that there’s nothing ‘wrong’, there is always something to change. There is always something to change until enlightenment is reached. Many people forget that, that is why when faced with the need to change, people rather not. Rather than internalizing and understanding, the easiest option is to blame others or external factors and not yourself because that gives you an excuse to remain where you are.
Rinpoche is right. The battle comes, because you are faced with a choice between truth and your perception of reality. When truth and your perception of reality does not match, then the confusion, the doubts, the negative thoughts arise, because you choose to remain how you think you should, instead of applying what the truth is. You know it, and you feel bad but you are too comfortable to do anything about it. If it wasn’t the truth, then why would you feel bad? Because Buddha has proven that it is the truth.
Thank you for sharing, Rinpoche.
Love,
Carmen
When I join in Dharma center, I always think that Dharma work will be enjoyable and fulfilling. But as time pass by, I begin to think that to work in Dharma center is not that “fun” as I thought. I begin to think that must be something wrong going on with me and I forget the motive that I join in Dharma center.
It is so true that we tend to forget we are in samsara and what is waiting for our next rebirth. The truth is unless we really aim to leave this cyclic existence else we will still suffer again and again in this endless cyclic existence.
It is so true that my dilemmas come when I have to fight taking up more responsibilities and doing more work over my laziness and my selfishness; this making me really unhappy and the conflict arise. At that moment, I forget about what have been taught in Dharma. I forget this is samsara and no matter how enjoyable I still have to face the samsara. Dharma is a medicine to “pull” me out from this suffering. I am glad I am under “treatment”. I am glad that from this talk I understand that this is a process of transformation, and that this battle is because my good mind is awaking. Thus, I need to stand firm in Dharma center. NOT RUNNING AWAY and take more responsibilities. To work in Dharma where the Guru exists is a true blessing. Dharma center is a positive place where people come with good motive. Where else I can find such positive place to work. I am lucky to work in Kechara. Lucky that Tsem Rinpoche create such a positive place for people to work .
This Dharma talk came in time to correct my thought on Dharma work and dharma center. I am truly thankful to Rinpoche for this Dharma talk and may I able to overcome my fear and laziness. May I able to continue serve the Dharma and under Rinpoche
Thank you Rinpoche for continuous guidance. May I win my battle
With folded hand
Love,
Freon
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for this comprehensive explanation. There is still something wrong within me; I would continue to battle my internal enemy.
Wish you long life, continue remain with us.
Thank you Rinpoche for you kind and compassionate teaching on this video. This teaching explain and meant alot for me. I totally agreed that all the understanding and transformation should be come from within and the real enemy is our own eventually. We must have faith and trust on Dharma and our Guru.
I really appreciates Rinpoche teaching. i am sure this teaching will help lots of people that have doubts in the Dharma.
Thank you very much for the sharing Rinpoche. What was mention was very profound.In deed it is very true that I am constantly having a inner battle with myself with regards to my thoughts and my action .At times I am not proud with the choice of action that was concluded, but I would try not to do the same the next time around given the same scenario .
I am aware that knowing but not preforming is indeed worst then just being ignorant and go through life under the deceit of self contentment out of convenience.
My determination to change is at times weak .But through the guidance of the Guru and my dharma brothers and sisters I would want a change.
I am glad that there are those around me that are committed to do their best to perform their Dharma duties.In doing so,it truly motivate the rest to follow suit.
It is difficult to change certain habits as we are a custom to it for so long in the world of samsara .But give the guidance to understand the deceit of this false contentment will definitely gives us a choice and the wisdom to decide what is the best for our self and beyond that.
We come to the Dharma centre to learn the Dharma and practise hope that it will improve the quality of our live. We expeneriences that samasara live bring a lot of unhappiness and problems.
However when we are face with the situation between the Dharma and our habituations we begin to change and do not like and blame others for making us unhappy and even get angry.
We begin to avoid the person and blame the Dharma for making us face the difficult situation. It is actually our fault of not practising the Dharma to change our attitude that made us still unhappy.
Thank you Rinpoche for another great lesson. I bow with folded palms.
The Battle is a Good sign… as Rinpoche explained, when we are unhappy in doing Dharma works, it is time we do more and strive harder, instead of giving up and blame everyone else.
It is our internal battle because now we have some realisation on Dharma and we know very well that the only for us to find long lasting happiness is to abandon our samsaric attachment.
We must acknowledge that our unhappiness is not arises from outer factors; it is not from not our Dharma center nor our Guru, it arises from our own self-cherishing mind, our stubbornness, our laziness, and all the negative traits within ourselves. Rinpoche’s explanation about how this can be liken to the cancer & how the treatments will give us the pain; but it is to cure the real root of our pains and sufferings, our own cancer cells… we have no one else to be angry of actually… we just need o change ourselves and continue to do more.
Thank you Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo and Rinpoche for this great teachings and explanation.
Something wrong? It’s always easier to point out the wrong by someone else, rather than own up to admit our own wrong doing. Isn’t that what a lot of us are guilty of? We do not search inside of us to realise that everything starts from us.
感谢上師的教诲。
从仁波切的切视頻,让我眀白了内心的挣扎不一定是坏事.尤其是当我们更深入了解佛法和做义工后,我们发现人性内在的一面. 当我们处在舒适地带，我们都不愿改变，甚至我们不愿接受真相, 我们选择了逃避,选择把所有的过失归咎于上師，佛法中心，佛友们。其实我们真正的敌人是我们自己。当我们内心开始挣扎，我们应该勇敢面对，这会帮助我们提升佛法俢行。
仁波切给了两个佷好的例子。其一：癌症病患。真正令他们痛苦的是癌症，而不是医生或化学疗法或药物。事出必有因，应该找出源头才下定论。其二：爱滋病患。他们可以让那些不了解爱滋病的人认同他们的行为，但当某人吿发他们並不代表他们不被关怀而是还有成千上万的人需要被关怀。我们不要被负面的情绪影响，我们应该正视它，解决它，让它转化为正能量。
仁波切的慈悲和用心良苦教导我们佛法，让我感到非常幸运可以向上師俢学佛法。
感恩。
Dear Rinpoche ,
Thanks for sharing this quote it really help me think more .this make me recall before that i used to think that way too. Practice Dharma ,pray ,meditation just wish my life will slightly better in samsara.I ｆｏｕｎｄ ｍｙ ｍｏｔｉｖａｔｉｏｎ ｉｓ ｎｏｔ ｒｉｇｈｔ ｉｎ ｆｉｒｓｔ ａｂｏｖｅ ａｓ ｍｏｔｉｖｅ ｉｓ ｖｅｒｙ ｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔ．
Ｔｈａｎｋｓ ａｇａｉｎ Ｒｉｎｐｏｃｈｅ ｆｏｒ ｙｏｕｒ ｇｒｅａｔ ｋｉｎｄｎｅｓｓ ｓｈａｒｉｎｇ ｔｈｉｓ ｗｏｎｄｅｒｆｕｌ ｔｅａｃｈｉｎｇ ｗｉｔｈ ｕｓ ａｒｏｕｎｄ ｔｈｅ ｗｏｒｌｄ ．
敬爱的上师：
很感谢上师的慈悲，不断为众生着想与关心，曾在克切拉一段时间的我更加感受到学习佛法的重要，佛法的确在我的内心和想法上都有帮助和改变。上师苦口婆心的教导我们学习佛法，勤于做佛法事业就是要改变自己，将来与帮助跟多需要的人。感恩上师的慈悲，敬佩上市的智慧，众生需要您！祝上师身体健康，长转法轮。
谢谢上师的指导。这个视频让我了解原来内心的挣扎是因为我们要做出一些违背本性的决定。而我们却常常以为是因为眼前外在的问题让我们受苦，其实苦是从内心而发，并不是从外而入。只要能够掌握我们的心如何运作，就能够把问题的源头看清。就如上师所说“痛苦的源头是癌症并不是化疗所产生的副作用。”
If there is nothing wrong or to fix in the first place, we would not need to go through the “treatment”, in the case of our Dharma work, the “problems” that arise having the opportunity to even be on the spiritual path.
If we are sick and we truly want to get well, we cannot say we cannot bear the treatment just because its tough. We “endure” the treatment because we know it is good for us. Like wise when we have obstacles in our Dharma work…
Dear Rinpoche, after reading the articleon ‘Something Wrong’ ,I question myself why I joined our Dharma center in the first place. t was for happiness n peace but in samsara.I think I’ve walked a long way since but not enough. Previously, I was fighting mainly for success n comfort for my loved ones.Now,with my Guru’s teaching,I’ve learned to change my perspective not to focus mainly on my family.Guru has taught me to meditate on impermanence n death.That is a wake up call. The teaching has taught me to let go of things,be more patient,less attached n less angersome when anger arises.Although Guru’s teaching on the importance of shedding the EGO is vital,it is not easy to practise.It is our ego,the desire to feel wanted ,to be esteemed that makes people feel hurt when they are unfairly treated or criticized .To me ,only attained people like our Guru n Rev.Cheng Yen ,are totally egoless.Thus,they’re selfless in their care for others n are purely compassionate .With our center growing n more coming from different background,status n some may be utterly spoilt,the necessity to shed our egois becoming more urgent.However,when conflict or negative emotion arises,we should immediately focus on our kind Guru,our spiritual guide,because he is the one whom we are fortunate to have,to get us out of the prison of samsara.We should also focus on the 8 Verses of Thought Transformation by Shantideva that is our center’s motto.,n not on the unskilful nurses around us.
If we want a good life then we need to work hard. But if we want an easy life then do nothing, have no hardships, no achievements. Behind every successful person there are many hardship experiences. I know of many wealthy people who suffered a lot before gaining all the wealth. My grandfather was one such person.
So why is it for wealth we can endure and not run when life gets hard?? But for a successful spiritual life, we quit so easily and blame the teachings and teacher?? Why the double standard? Deluded minds clouded by false expectations this is why.
Let’s face it, to achieve anything in life there will be hardships and pain and sacrifices. This is the same when we are learning the dharma and purifying our negative karma. We will sacrifice time and health for wealth but we complain when we need to do the same for a better spiritual life. This cannot be. Suffering is a certainty in life no matter what, so accept that we have to suffer too when we want to achieve a rich spiritual life.
The question then lies in our motivation and intent. So if we leave the dharma because we cannot take it, don’t blame the teachings and teacher but look in the mirror and ask ourselves, “What was our intent in the first place?”
Blaming others or environment or things is easy. Do you know that “blaming your own self” will bring you more happiness? After I watched and listened to the teaching, I found myself so peaceful and I took two days to contemplate on it.
I noticed that my life is happier now. I realized that the different I made to my life is add one more ingredient call “ I blame myself” when I am unhappy and angry , accepted that I also contribute the cause to my unhappiness , I found it’s easy to move on. Of course most of the time when things happened, the first thing I do I am still blaming others and environment then only myself, my awareness of my thought is still not sensitive, see, now I blame my awareness.
For example, sometime we find is difficult to work with someone, when I checked myself, I noticed that is the motivation I set while doing the works. Selfishness is one the key I found myself cannot work with others. Means when my motivation is I do this is “I” want to get more merits, “I” want to get better life, “I” want myself less suffering, “I” want credit. “I” want people to follow my way/methods, and etc. Because of this “I” it makes me wanted to run away for not doing Dharma work. But I am lucky that I aware of this and I accepted it. Once I accepted it, my motivation immediate changed to a bigger picture and less “I”. What I want to say here is, your unhappiness does not cause by anyone around you, just checked your thought and your motivation at the same time accepted that we are selfish and we are actually selfish.
Also one of our weakness is we do not train our mind to be more awake, when things happened, our mind would control by our habit that is blaming others first. Most of the time, I am still like that, again, I blame my habit.
Secondly, I also realize that “laziness” is one of the key to make us unhappy and an angry man. For example, I know water offering is good and has to do everyday. However because of laziness, I don’t do it everyday and I always found “valid” reason to escape. And then later I felt guilty because my reason was “invalid”, then I am angry to myself and I keep this anger, and for many things in our life, the same process keeps repeating and we accumulating lots of anger and become an angry person. Until someone press the button and we get angry with that person, this anger I noticed that is nothing to do with the person, is only his/her words and behavior match the “anger” I kept inside me. Example, the reason sometime I did not do water offering because I have something more urgent than doing water offering and this is always not true. So when I requesting someone to do something which is important, the person told me he/she has something more urgent that my request, I immediately felt angry, he has just press the button of anger I accumulated from” I know what I need to do and I am not doing that”. Later I calm down myself and talk to him/her, I found out he/she has a valid reason to reject my request and nothing wrong with him/her. Therefore accepted “my anger” is nothing to do with others definitely bring more happiness. I am still an angry person, I accepted and I do something on it and move on.
With this realization, I would like to say if we can’t overcome our conflict in this organisation, we can not overcome it by changing another environment because the conflict is to do with ourselves. Running away from this place to another place by carrying “the same conflict”is just wasting time because you need time to get into the new environment. And by the time you fit yourself in the new environment, you will have another conflict while you try to settle your existing one, is just wasting time.
I love this teaching very much, it is true and it is a profound teaching. Rinpoche, thank you.
When we on an ‘action’ that will benefit ourselve, for sure a lot of “good” and “bad” obstruction will joining us to pull us out from the action. Thoughts and action will on the opposite direction too. Those opposite direction will let us feel we on the wrong action. This is what I facing now when I on the way to learn Dharma.
To overcome the battle and I always remind myself what I want, and what I have promise. I’m sure the day will come. Because every conflict is because myself and not others.
It is true that most people in samsara are complacent. All they want is just to make life a little better and they work hard to improve their “situation”. Even people with Dharma knowledge, those who should know better, are seldom able to break out of the prison. So they just try to make it more comfortable. When they find a guru, instead of taking the opportunity to transform, they live in denial of their faults until they are challenged by circumstances to face them. But instead of engaging in the inner battle and overcoming the inner enemies, they blame others. This may bring some temporary relief but ultimately, it will result in a lot of suffering.
Dear Rinpoche, Thank you for sharing the wonderful quote. It is hard to imagine what it is like to be ‘beyond samsara’. Many think it is ’emptiness’. I guess people need to have confidence/belief that it is a better state before motivation kicks in. In this regards, we have to rely on ‘faith’ and ‘belief’, right ?
在这期间所学习到如何去跟每一个同修工作和沟通。如仁波切所说每个人都不一样。假如我们都没有站在不同角度去想的话，慢慢的就会产生一股对抗的力量而离开佛法。
感恩仁波切的分享！
在灵修的过程中 我们也常发觉自已内心丑陋的一面 我们未必能勇敢面对或去改掉那些坏习氣 这些不舒服的感觉和内心的挣扎 是种内在智慧的觉醒 我们更做出更多的努力 在灵修做更多行动 挑战自己去面对和更改坏习 这样当日子久了 我们相对不再把难题除掉 而我们也更進步了 很多我一直认为不行或不能 都不会是当下的障礙了
Indeed our mind is our greatest challenge. A magnanimous task to control our Minds.. We habitually react negatively to situations. unless we stay focus allthetime’ mind transformation is a lot harder than we think. when we read or hear a Teaching we remember at that moment or a few Moments after’ but the real challenge is applying it when the situation arises. I battle with mind chatter daily.
感谢仁波切的分享
今生所得的人身、快乐、幸福、财富等…一切都是前世持戒、布施之果,因此,一切幸福快禾都来自於上师的恩德。所以我们要感恩上师。
The difference of going to a Dharma centre and a social club is : A Dharma centre is like a hospital where u will find different kind of “patients” whom themselves know their own negativities and flaws and is willing to take the initiative to seek for treatment from a Guru, which is to learn and practice Dharma. Along the process of getting treatment is always tough, just like we hate taking medicine but we know it’s for healing our body so that we don’t suffer from illness.
While going to a social club is like a temporary getaway. People who come here just want to hear nice words, drink, get connected with people who share same views. Everything here is wonderful because everyone in the club is coated with sugar called denial. The happy moment in here is very short term. After some time it fades off and simultaneously the unhappiness of being self denial is already deep rooted. The people around you that u claimed are true friends wouldn’t be there for u when u need help.
That’s why when people get older, from all the experiences that they had gone through will actually make them realize what’s more important in life. One of the dying regrets of most people is they wish they would had the courage to live a life true to themselves, not the life others expected of them. Dharma is the real deal. No matter what obstacles arise along the way, just overcome it and keep going.
谢谢仁波切又再一次的用心教诲无知的我们,我们必须要严厉对抗内在的我们而不是被身边的人教唆以及影响,渐渐的远离佛法。到佛教中心学习佛法是为了把佛法运用在日常生活里帮助自己成为一个更棒的人。仁波切的视频开示里所讲当我们在从事佛法事业或是做义工后,我们内在如有很多负面的疑问,懒惰,不精进都是一个好的显现。只要我们正视和面对那就会令我们垮越佛法修行一大步,那决对不是坏事。
很多事与物我们无法控制,但是一定要控制我们的思维和态度,那么才能够成就自己成就别人。
Thank you Rinpoche for taking time and care to explain the quote of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo.
The point that impacted me most is that the realization of what is “not working” through our learning of Dharma can cause greater suffering at the beginning because of the internal conflict between our new consciousness and the true intention of our Dharma pursuit.
I would define this suffering as guilt and shame that arise from the “confirmation” that our actions and desires are harmful and non-virtuous. If I did not realize that an animal has to suffer and die for me to enjoy a piece of meat, I may very well take delight in devouring a meat dish with no guilt. However, through learning and gaining knowledge, I become aware that animals suffer tremendously in husbandry, I will experience guilt the next time I have a plate of meat in front of me.
I think everyone who is going through the progressive development of the mind will face this dilemma. The differentiating factor is how we choose to respond when encountering this dilemma.
Option 1: we react to the guilt and shame by blaming others and justify our harmful desire.
Option 2: we bite the bullet and persevere to re-condition our action and mind to develop a new set of habits that is aligned to what we learn to be virtuous.
I see this as a form of reducing the gap between our intellect and our heart (deep driven desire).
Thank you again Rinpoche for this powerful explanation to help us as we go through the growing pains of our awareness.
In fact a lot of people did actually realized the danger of dwelling in samsara but yet due to habitual and laziness they opted to stay put in samsara and wasted their precious human life (including myself). Over the years, I have witnessed a few persons, whom I know (who consist of professional, wealthy and successful to an ordinary full time housewife) suffering from depression. Reflecting on their condition, really scared me when I have actually faced with critical difficulties of my life. I really do not wish to be in the same fate…….painful and frightening state & condition as these people….What should I do to myself and what course of action should I take?? Initially, it was really a struggle and hassle for me when I first started doing my sadhana but without realizing I have eventually, inserted the daily sadhana into my daily routine. During this period, attending dharma classes, the sharing of knowledge by my dharma brothers and sisters and listening to Rinpoche’s teachings on the blog and attending to some pujas are indeed a turning point of my life, where I tried to view certain situation/s at a more positive angle. I must admit that at present my Dharma knowledge is at an extreme low level and I do hope that I will be able to share my thoughts and experience on my Dharma journey in time to come .Thank you Rinpoche on your constant reminder .
Rinpoche, thank you so much for explaining in great detail the wonderful paragraph written by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo. It is very comforting to know that the dilemma that most of us go through as we progress on in our dharma work is a positive sign that our wisdom is increasing and we should continue on with more effort and devotion. True to the nature of samsara, we are always influenced by our friends and those around us to live comfortably and not go beyond our current condition. May everyone be able to resist all the temptations of all the false happiness of this world and pursue on with their dharma path.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you sincerely for such a clear and profound teaching. Progress can never happen unless we change. And change does not happen until we transform our mind. In this change, friction occurs. We have to destroy and throw out bad habits and thinking that no longer serve us. We have to realize that samsara does not serve us at all. In the process of uprooting ourselves, there is bound to be pain. When this pain arises, the real test also ripens. Can we withstand the pain of change to eliminate the sufferings in samsara? And when we have a Guru and a Dharma center to help us through, we are indeed very blessed. However, as Rinpoche pointed out, our biggest fault is to mistakenly believe that this change is going to lessen samsaric suffering and through feeling good.
But when the process brings out more of our hidden personal dirt, chances are we are not too glad to witness our “bad” side because we are “good” people. However if we are able to embrace, accept and change this so-called negative side, then and only then do we see positive results. But more often then not, most people would give up because it is too difficult. In comparison, suffering in samsara seems to be a better option.
Just as Rinpoche has aptly said, chemotherapy is difficult for some to endure but once we complete the sessions, we are ok. Our health improves and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you, Rinpoche for the invaluable reminder. I will carry on no matter how difficult the Dharma route is.
With folded hands,
Wendy
The battle is from within. This is so true as I, for one, has encountered it time and time again as i learn more. Thank you Rinpoche for the commentary and explanation of the above saying/thoughts from Jetsunma.
As I learn more Dharma, i could not continuously be ignorant or to be in denial to the fact that I am being uncomfortable. Even If I want to, I can’t because I am already aware of my feelings and if I ignore it, then it will be against my conscience and I know that I will regret it in the future. So, what was said that it is a good sign is actually a good sign that I feel worse. It is a battle I have to fight and no one else or any excuses can help me.
When I just bite the bullet and fight on, it gets easier and easier. It is not the Dharma or the teacher who makes the student feel bad, it is actually ourselves who are unwilling to fight!
Listening to the teaching, I kept thinking of lightning and its path of least resistance. But, I am a ‘human with a most fortunate rebirth’ and so must be a thinking human. Along the way, I have to learn and accept that I have ‘clay feet’ and that I have to be accountable and responsible for my thoughts and actions. Tough pill to swallow but just as we have to eat to nourish our body, we have to swallow the pill to Clear our mind. Then maybe, I will be ready to think of other sentient beings. Excuse my naïveté but I’m just a simple baby barbarian.
dear rinpoche ,thanks your sharing your wake call comment is like this inner self battle of our lazy, stubborn makes us o lot opinion towards our spiritual practice ,and even see wrong view of doing things ,we have buddha nature to know our inner self. illusion always to tricks us or test us in our spiritual journey, dont be a devathata , blame others , is our inner self big enemy evil mara always there,. to test us , if we patient put effort sure we can overcome our inner diffculties with the buddha widom of teaching . thank you rinpoche for sharing this topic someting wrong , i will put your wisdom words into our inner spiritual pratice.
Thanks Rinpoche for the sharing.
Something is wrong was indeed a good sign that the seed of consciousness is growing. It makes u stop in the track for a while, but you will earn strong ground and moves forward with much intensity past that. It was always a battle between worldly and dharma needs, so I guess it should go hand-in-hand to make things works. Thanks You.
感谢上師的慈悲
要是没有僧团，没有那些受过苦而想通过正念改变的人，无论你多聪明，多有决心，光靠你自己也无法成功，习性的能量比你的力量还要强大，所以我们是需要有上师和僧团的支持。
Most of the people believe Dharma teachings are good. But due to our own ego and attachment, then when someone tells us the truth, it would be hard for us to accept it and not to believe it!
But, if we surrender ourselves and follow our Guru’s advice, eventually we will realize the truth, and when we realized and change, we will find happiness within us, and people around us will also become happier.
For some people with attitude problems, when you tell them the truth they will not accept it because they feel offended due to their ego. On the other hand, even some of the students who have been following Rinpoche for a very long time, still ran away because when Rinpoche pointed out their flaws, they felt offended. At the end, they will turn around and criticise Rinpoche because they ‘think’ that the Guru is wrong and they are right. For me, it doesn’t make sense, if they have always been right, they would have became Dharma teachers or Rinpoches by now(no offense to the people who ran away).
Thank you Rinpoche for explanation.
It’s a norm reaction when the discomfort arises one will have a reaction to leave, abandon or stay away because it causes us displeasure as in our perception. It’s much easier to give up, blame on the object than face it, work it out and move on.
The discomfort is a sign for us to realize instead of holding on or run away from it we should think, contemplate and examine further the right action to be taken for a solution. As we learn more dharma, those are the method that we apply be it difficult or hard but as we focus and be consistent we will turn around for better.
Human beings are so lost and deluded in delusions and illusions (including me). I understand that the truth of this world is an illusion and nothing really exists, yet I choose to pursue the materialistic path (samsara). I have honestly admitted this to someone close to me. We human beings are selective and we love to put the blame on external things such as other people, other things, the sky, the sun, the moon, the stars, etc. except ourselves. Why? to protect and make sure our ego is not touched or affected.
Human beings do things for 2 reasons. To gain pleasure and to avoid pain. When our ego is touched, we feel pain so we run away to avoid that pain. However, by running away, the vicious cycle will not end. We know something is good yet we don’t do it. We know something is bad and yet we do it. There is nothing and no one to blame except ourselves because all sufferings are self-inflicted.
Just my humble two cents.
Dear Rinpoche, thank you for the wonderful and logical teachings. It is really true! How can one blame the Dharma when its our own faults that made us clouded with delusions and laziness. Knowing the truth and yet deciding to go against it is nobody’s fault but our own.
I think another example for myself would be studying at school. I failed not because of the school teachers nor the syllables but my own laziness/ignorance to learn and study.
I know some people can just blame the whole world when its clearly their problem. And then they go around telling people how others have done them wrong…incessantly! Hoping for the others to support them… And just like what Rinpoche said, these are the unhappy ones.
敬爱的上师，感谢您的教诲与分享。遇见上师后，加入佛法中心大家庭。从不懂何为佛法，到今天稍有认识，进度很慢。其中原因就是上师所说的对周遭的人与事物产生抗拒，内心和佛法对抗与挣扎。这样的状况发生在我身上。看了上师的视频，真的解开我心中焦虑与不安。赞同学习佛法，是自己和上师，佛陀的直接沟通，不应该受身边的人与事干挠而导致对佛法的不信任。相信佛法，相信上师是唯一给自己最大的能量与动力。不再犹豫，做好自己本份才是我要坚持的。再次谢谢上师的教诲。
Reminds me of my motivation when I first came to Kechara, looking for solution to my problem. Instead I got more than what I was looking for, the Dharma. At first, it was interesting & intellectually challenging when it talks about how our mind works. It got a little more struggling later trying to understand what samsara is all about & how everything in it is the cause of our suffering. It was both difficult & confusing times, it is like swimming against the current in the ocean while everyone else is enjoying & having a good time on the shore. The struggle is kind of like what Rinpoche said the “internal battle”. Personally I find that applying & practicing what I learned from the dharma help getting me where I am today, more peace, more patient & generally happier. As days pass, I do a little more. Doing my sadhana, retreat, attending puja & dharma class and even volunteering works has given me the spiritual experiences & benefits that I will not get from just reading & listening to talks. If the Buddha is wrong then I must be right. If I am right why I am still struggling to find peace.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing such wonderful teaching, it helps to remind me of the right motivation & attitude in my dharma practice.
谢谢仁波切分享美妙的佛法。从仁波切的教法我学到我们自我的心态是如此可怕的。当我们意识到自己失去了机会的时候，我们自我的心态可以摧毁我们，让我们迷失方向、变得愤怒。进而开始伤害他人，在人与人之间制造分裂。以掩护自己受创的自尊和被揭发的过错，然后慢慢的离开佛法。我们很幸运有仁波切作为我们的上师，在这里我们可以学习和修行佛法。感恩
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing such a profound teachings. This make me contemplate deeply on its significance. What binds us to samsara, is this sense of “me” and “mine” which has become overwhelmingly strong inside us, which hinder our greater capacity. We just need to break out of our habituated mindsets and make the best use of our lives, by putting Dharma into practice. The dharma path is not an easy one, it’s dealing with the ugliness of life that most of us refuse to face and accept life’s realities.
We are very fortunate to have Rinpoche to leads us along the correct spiritual paths and draws us closer to enlightenment through his blessings.
Thank you again, Rinpoche for your continuous teachings and compassion. May Rinpoche live long and continue to turn the wheel of Dharma.
Progress in the Spiritual path is no different from what we want to achieve or get in life. In our daily lives, from our youth till we become elderly, in our career or family, we will always meet all types of challenges. Some of us overcome them easily but some others will not even overcome them due their own fears. Fears are on many levels too.
We need to recognize that these challenges are not exactly concrete obstacles that are build on rock than cannot be changed. They can be overcome.
By walking any spiritual path and we develop our practice further, we need to learn to see these challenges as Something Good VS Something is Wrong. Why?
Challenges may have arisen due to our past negative actions (karma) which we have forgotten but made by us. If we regard all situations can be changed, like the world will change over time, then do not hold on to that Fear or let that Fear stop us and prevent us from continuing our spiritual practice, when the challenge is an indication that we are progressing towards the right direction.
As we progress higher up the ladder of spiritual learning and practice, different challenges/obstacles may arise. So do we stop at each level and give up or do we “hang on” (emotionally and mentally) and let that passage of time pass to let us progress to the next higher step up in the ladder of spiritual knowledge and practice?
Therefore, if Something Wrong arise, we should Rejoice for we are Progressing!
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for giving this teaching on Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo’s quote. It’s true that many people come to the Dharma for varied reasons or motivations, even if though only as a solution to their temporary problems or betterment of situations. That said however, when we practice and realise the true motivation of practicing the Dharma we can change ourselves to make this motivation the core of our being.
Through this we are able to overcome the internal battle that we believe plagues us. There may be further battles in the future but with this motivation we are able to overcome the soldiers of doubt and uneasiness. We need to strengthen our resolve and have correct guidance. For that we need a qualified Guru, for that I thank you for turning the wheel of Dharma.
Wong Fong Ngan on August 13 2013 at 5.00 pm
Thank you Rinpoche for giving this profound teaching. This is in fact a wake up call for us to move forward to contemplate.
Due to our habituation and unwillingness to change, we suffered so much. So, stop blaming others. This is an inner battle within ourselves when doing dharma work.
I realized that despite encountering obstacles along my spiritual journey, I should never give up hope because I know we are fortunate enough to have our Guru to guide us to make sure we are on the right path. True happiness is liberation from samsara and gaining full enlightenment.
I have complete faith and trust in my Guru because I know my Guru will never go wrong and he cares for me.
Most of us have the tendency to stay in our “own world” or so called “comfort zone” and we are very reluctant to change. As a result, we always intend to find excuses to avoid the change or challenge to our “comfort zone”, these habits seem like imprinted in our subconscious mind since the day we are born (in fact, these habits we have been carrying with us from many previous lives)
Laziness and unwilling to change is always our natural barrier to stop us from making progress of self- improvement or to transform to become a better person. We should choose to face it and transform ourselves instead of avoiding it or making excuses to blame others for impeding us from making progress of our self-realization. Taking vows to our Guru is one of the effective medicine for this ignorance.”
Dear Rinpoche for sharing this teaching with us . I personally feel we are very fortunate to have Rinpoche with who continuously remind us about our pratices and ask us not to give up. I think without our guru I think this path is tough is hard to continue. Thank you Rinpoche for staying with us I pray Rinpoche will continue staying with us for very long time.
感谢上師的慈悲，时时刻刻都在想尽辦法让我们了解佛法，继而在生活中实践佛法。可是大多数时候都在追逐世俗生活的暂时快乐。除了有家庭的负担和责任来养育兒女家人（以佛教徒来说：我觉得对家人的承诺也必须要兑现），也要有灵修的时间来为死亡做准备。上師以上的教法道出一般学佛人的动机都放在改善世俗生活的困境（我也是一样），目标是注重今世的困境，忽略了来世，对輪迥之苦感受不多，注重自身利益甚於利益他人。对于我这样功徳不夠的人，无法一百巴仙参与佛法工作，我觉得很惭愧，不过我记得尊贵的达赖喇嘛說过：「对于世俗人，最好把五十巴仙的注意力放在佛法修持上」。我非常感激上師的慈悲，包容我们，原谅我们的无知，时时以身作则示范如何实践佛法在日常生活中，自问这样一位真正具格的偉大上師，能遇见是多么的難得！如果不好好珍惜，以后也不知有没有这样的机缘。
Dear Rinpoche,
Thanks for sharing.
I feel blessed to get to know Rinpoche teaching and encourage us to do more dharma works. I will keep checking my views and thoughts and not running away. I know sometimes it is hard to bear the pain but I need to get thru it. It is worthy !
Interesting insights for us to ponder, saying somethings is easy,…and yes i agree that the ‘act’ of applying ( on living with samsara) is extremely hard at most times, even testing.
I have joined Kechara’s puja just a recent months, find that both is enlightening as well as much as having doubts- not to be mistaken by doubts of Buddha’s or Guru’s teachings, but doubts on why there are individuals tend to put certain teachings into hoping that ‘having better life of Karma’ by practicing more puja’s? Was it a sole intend of asking the students to have better life by sealing it with more ‘puja’s’? Is it really a ‘Guarantee’ as teached…?? No offence,…. but its just some questions i had in mind.
After all, I appreciate the teachings of Buddha that had always guide us to the life of moderation and to continue to ask, even its been thought. 🙂
Illusion comes from ignorance and ego. Whatever illusion or distorted views come from this “I” we better cling to our Guru and his instructions for life. If we have not achieved enlightenment this is the best thing to do for everything else could be deceiving us.
Dear Rinpoche, I am very glad to be able to receive your explanation of the wonderful quote from Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo. The first few words Rinpoche had said is very apt and suitable for me. When we are having obstacles and difficulties it is a good sign. We must continue, doing more Dharma, continue pursuing our goal, not giving up. It is a natural process of wisdom striving to overcome my self-created delusions. Running away would be senseless and wasted all my effort up to this stage. Therefore instead of being depress or feeling hopeless I should check my motivation, and adjust it. Be the light instead of waiting for the light. I cannot express my thanks for such a timely message of courage given to us.
Thank you Rinpoche for clearing the confusion in mind why we sometimes feel ‘negative’ in relation to dharma work, important as you taught that this is a natural process when wisdom mind emerging and we have to fight back this negative feeling and do more dharma work instead. Indeed it is a personal internal battle inside and only we ourselves can overcome that.
As the saying goes, Life is Short therefore enjoy life. The so call enjoyment is that we seek for is the imprisonment that Rinpoche spoke about. We are in samsara and we fail to see that life is indeed suffering and not enjoyment. Typically we cover up by “Beautifying” our surrounding, living in a big house, driving a big car, eating scrumptious meals, having a five star holiday and making ourselves think that life is an enjoyment. If we peel the onion further, we realize that everyday of our lives, we go through suffering whether we choose to acknowledge it or not and do something about it. Some of us might realize the sufferings of samsara but then again we think next life is so far away and we hide from the truth and tell ourselves that what we dont know wont hurt us. Most of us come to Dharma centres to pray that our worldly obstacles be cleared and once we are on track again, we longer feel the necessary to continue practising Dharma. We only seek refuge in the 3 Jewels when we have problems and as soon as our problems are gone, we disappear from the centre too. The Guru can offer the medicines but if we do not take his prescription, how are we to rid our worldly concenrns and transform our mind? Transformation is a journey but we must realize that life is suffering and not merely enjoyment in order for us to transform our mind and escape from this prison of samsara. Rinpoche, thank you on your teachings and timely reminder for us to reflect on our perception of what life is about.
There are too many delusions around and within us, and all these lead us to the belief that we are on the right path.
Delusions are pleasant to our senses, they make us feel satisfied and make us egoistic. They make us feel that all are alright, but in actual fact it is not.
We rely on many external factors to make us feel happy and right, but they do not lead us to the right path.
To rely on the teachings of the Buddhas can only be beneficial to us, just like when we are sick we need to take medicines (change and purify our karma) but not to take more sweets (alcohol for instance) to further disillusion us.
Doing Dharma may appear to be hard to us. We may feel relunctant and bad sometimes, but we need to go on. We need to fight with the internal enemies within us, so that we do not waste our precious human lives and will have no regrets when we come to the end of our days.
Thank you Rinpoche for this teachings.
May all of us continue to receive the blessings from the Three Jewels and never sway away from the Dharma.
Always blaming others or everything but not ourselves is a kind of attitude. Like what Rinpoche shared in the video above, when we feel bad about Dharma or Dharma work, instead of thinking it is a good sign, we blame the Dharma, the Guru or the Dharma center and the people. Likewise in life, not only the Dharma we will blame everything but not ourselves, then we will not become a person with maturity and abilities to do big things to benefit others. We will also blame others(not only the Dharma, the Guru, the center and the people in the center)and things for everything that we don’t like. Anyone who tells us off we hate them, we run away from them, we talk bad about them. So it is not about the Guru, the Dharma, the center or the people. It is our attitude problem! So no matter where we go, we will act the same way! Because this is in ourselves, this blaming others attitude is not something people teach us or implant into us.
Not the Guru teaches us to blame, not the Guru who makes us such person. So just stop blaming and when we stop it, we will see the good side of the bad feelings, like what Rinpoche explained in the video, that is the awakening of our clear mind. When we stop blaming, we calm our mind and we can be mor focused to do what we should do. Then things will get better. Why?
I have my own experience to share. 2 years back, after I watch the Earthlings (http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/animals-vegetarianism/earthlings.html) and before I became a vegetarian, I know that eating meat/animals is very cruel and it is very illogical for me to love dogs and cats but not chickens, fishes and cows! So everytime when I saw the photos of animals being abused, tortured and eaten, I felt the guilt and I found the love-animals-quotes quite irritate me. There were battles in me to choose whether to become a vegetarian or I would just ignore all that and continue to eat meat. But I didn’t blame the people who posted all the photos and quotes. And thanks to the blessings of mu Guru and my Dharma brothers and sisters, I became a vegetarian finally and I don’t think that all the photos and quotes irritated. I free myself from the guilt or the so called accusations towards the meat-eaters.
Before I watched Earthlings, I ate meat with no feelings. I didn’t feel guilt or anything as I just don’t know what’s wrong about it. So there was zero battle in me. Nothing bothers me until I watch Earthlings. I can’t blame the producer for making this video, but I thank him to let me know the truth behind.
So same thing to our Dharma practice. Deal with our battles is the best way and the best thing to do. The Guru gives everything, all the tools and “weapons”, advises, encouragements, literally everything that we need to face the battle, now is the time for us to win the inner battles that make us confused, fear or pain.
我们一直都在寻求快乐，渴求快乐•••••所以大部份时间都会在苦苦挣扎著希望能够達到那些所谓的欲求。我们的习惯就是逃避不愉快的经验，追逐快乐的经验。
因此現代社会有許多人对于什么是生活意义茫然不知，对于某些人來說••••生活就是为了生活。是这样嗎？难道只单单为了活着嗎？他们不敢想得太多，因为觉得想太多活起来就会很累。
我自己本身有时都会发现自己碰撞到自己的怀疑、恐惧及不安全感。幸运的我在心灵道路上寻求到佛法与上師，一直跟我们談到覚醒，但是往往我们都会專注於自己的慣性傾向，然后又深陷于自我及痛苦中了。
每次我在生活的道路上遇上挣扎或迷惑！我都会記着上師說过解脱掌握在自己手中，这条路是需要真实的
我们一直都在寻求快乐，渴求快乐•••••所以大部份时间都会在苦苦挣扎著希望能够達到那些所谓的欲求。我们的习惯就是逃避不愉快的经验，追逐快乐的经验。
因此現代社会有許多人对于什么是生活意义茫然不知，对于某些人來說••••生活就是为了生活。是这样嗎？难道只单单为了活着嗎？他们不敢想得太多，因为觉得想太多活起来就会很累。
我自己本身有时都会发现自己碰撞到自己的怀疑、恐惧及不安全感。幸运的我在心灵道路上寻求到佛法与上師，一直跟我们談到覚醒，但是往往我们都会專注於自己的慣性傾向，然后又深陷于自我及痛苦中了。
每次我在生活的道路上遇上挣扎或迷惑！我都会記着上師說过解脱掌握在自己手中，这条路是需要真实的
生活中有时常八九， 什么事情都会发生， 只是在于如何面对与解决问题。 从前遇到难题我总会用自己的一套方法解决， 从前用听过佛陀的故事， 但是就很难听进去，也不想去明白！
很有幸遇见了仁波切， 被仁波切另类的教法让我进入佛法事业。 进入并不难， 但是如何维持与且须下去是一份高深的学问。 如果是从前的我，我可能已经离开这个地方了。
日子久了，渐渐的发现自己改变了！其实。。。。。。为什么会改变？ 应该是这里的环境，还有仁波切的教导， 一句一句深深的打入我的心扉。 警惕着我每天的习俗， 处理事情的方式， 待人处事！
进入佛法之前我每天会约一群好友到外面喝酒、 唱歌、 派对与。。。。。。 一天过一天， 不知道为什么？ 每天活在我认为快乐的每一天。 日子久了，我开始厌倦也很无聊。 刚开始有点困难，但是明白了， 就没什么大不了！
修行的路真不容易，有很道理我不明白。
这里真的什么人都有出乎意料！很多时候是我们想法不同，看法也不同出现了很多矛盾。当内心被无明蒙蔽的时，什么都是错。
上师为了认我们接觸和了解法佛后用尽所有什么方法来提醒，引导，幫助我们。
法佛在內心和想法上都會认自己有改變，希望我們能夠通過學習佛法改變自己，幫助自己和利益他人。
感恩！！！尊贵的上師無私的付出，对眾生的爱与关怀，上師的慈悲心寬可包容天地。
Thank you very much Rinpoche for given us a very clear explanation on the quotes written by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo. The topic that I wish to highlight here is about “blaming”. Blaming is our natural habit and most frequent used attitude since we are born. Still remember when we were small kids, we like to blame XXX stole our toys? Now, we are blaming YYY who caused us feel unhappy in our life. So it shows that most of us are blaming expert.
We often blames the factor of our unhappiness to the others. But how many time we actually sit down quietly and investigate properly on the factor? Seldom, it’s extremely seldom. Thus,our ego and ignorant often mislead us to believe is “factor X” caused us trouble and unhappy in our life. Hence,it eventually makes us fail to find the true solution to deal with actual our problem/unhappiness.
So what is the point for keep on blaming the others? Have we check on ourselves? (Is it we’re really innocent in the case?), have we really think about themselves? (Why they did that to me? ) . If we still like to blame on others, it’s very hard for us to growth in our spiritual practice and we’re going to say hello again to the samsara in our next life.
So friends,please stop blaming on the others ! Yes, I know as a ordinary human being like us it’s hardly for us to practice 100% not blaming on others. But at least we can reduce the number of times that we blames on others. Please…. reduce blaming now in order to cultivate the harmony environment with those who’re surrounding us.
There are people who choose their own comfort zone than to confront the harsh reality of dharma, which is the truth. Rinpoche reminds us that the enemy is within us. We should not kill the messenger but we have to defeat our own wrongful thoughts.
Thank you Rinpoche.
当我要加入佛法事业的时候，有个经验的友人告诉我，佛法事业这条路不容易路，当时我不明白这道理。
但是现在我明白了，在这里,真的什么人都有,甚至有些出乎意料的！这都跟做佛法事业无关！很多时候是我们自己想不同，看不开或是我们的恶业找上门了！什么东西都看不到！听不进。
我们的老师用千方百计来提醒我们，可是我们也用千方百计来忘记，所以说!当我们的老师有多辛苦。
Thank you rinpoche for this timely awakening teaching.
Dear Guru Rinpoche thanks for sharing this with us.I really need to learn to sacrifice more and give up my lazy ways .
Dear Guru Rinpoche you are spot on. It is a matter of sacrifice on our side and giving up our laziness to win the battle and contribute to the three Jewels.
From what I think I understand from Rinpoche’s teaching in the video is that, many of us want the dharma to fit our perception of what should be right and wrong and that if it is not suitable for us or that it is creating difficulties in learning the dharma we believe what we hear and see from the dharma is not the dharma that we are looking for and go to another center and keep changing till we find one to agree with ourselves.
Like Rinpoche says, it is not the cancer treatment which is hurting us or the process or the doctors and nurses but the cancer itself. If we do not put the time, effort, patience and hard work into learning the dharma and going through the pain, suffering and obstacles that arises from learning the dharma we do not benefit from it and start blaming that the dharma is wrong because we cannot see the truth.
Our negative and pessimistic thinking prevents us from moving forward but to rather give up and run away from the dharma. I think I need to repeatedly rewatch the video teaching to get a better understanding. I can’t really say much on this topic because I already feel bad for not being more involved in the dharma trying to pursue my dream career, but I don’t blame the Dharma or Rinpoche that I feel bad. I hope to work out for a way that I can be able to do both in the future.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thanks for the clarity for practising Dharma. MOst of us start from the self to get nearer to Dharma. What Rinpoche stated is true. Most of us will point one finger to others but do not realise that there are 4 fingers pointing to ourselves.
Ignorance is poison. Knowledge of Dharma is important. Nevertheless, I do believe sometimes the situations that we are now at present whether allowing or hindering us from getting the Dharma,is due to our own Karma.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing and explaining in details on this profound teaching by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo.
Indeed, the truth always hurt… the best training is not about knowing the truth but it is when we get the honest feedback on our shortcomings… how much can we take it and whether we will appreciate the feedback to do something about it or we would rather deny it and do not face it.
With Rinpoche, I have seen a lot of times his students and myself are challenged on our shortcoming and our ego. Although I do not have the chance to be near to Rinpoche to work in Ladrang, his closed students like BK, liasons and pastors will challenge me on my thoughts, my motivation and my actions. At times I do not feel comfortable at all and may feel stress, as I need to get out from my comfort zone and do something different. I am very grateful as I know Rinpoche and those who challenge me care on me and want me to be a better person and they care for my ultimate happiness. They also challenge me from learning Dharma just for having a quick fix from my situation or this life but to look beyond into the ultimate solutions and my future lives and others’ future lives.
I still remember that I was warned when I wanted to work full time in Kechara that it is “not easy” to do Dharma work. At time goes by, I realise it is not the Dharma work itself that is difficult but it is when I am being challenged to accept my shortcomings in order to change for better or when I am pushed to achieve higher results and higher level that I may feel vulnerable and afraid that I may lose. When I work with different individual that I do not like to work with, how I can apply Dharma and work it out. At times, things just does not look logical if I use my normal worldly perspective to see it.
I am very grateful that I am here and have the merits to do Dharma work. May I do more and always have the strength and the wisdom clarity mind to see the truth and always serve Rinpoche lives after lives. I also pray that more people will have the chance to learn and practice Dharma too and always close to their teachers.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts RInpoche. I enjoyed reading this. The message in this is strong and powerful. I think whoever reads this will most likely understand fully. I hope that many people have read this and found this information helpful to them and their lives.
“……..We are always looking to make ourselves comfortable in the prison house. We might think that if we get the cell wall painted a pretty shade of pale green, and put in a few pictures, it won’t be a prison any more…………”
Sad to say, human always like such illusion in life.
Dear Rinpoche , thank you for your precise explanations on the above quote, Guru is never wrong and Dharma is never wrong also, if it is wrong , what we are practice also wrong,if the student not apply correctly or refuse to follow , it will be a conflict and keep blaming Guru ,Dharma is difficult , anger , ego ,end up unhappiness. it will never transform forever, just like Rinpoche mention on the Video clip , if you have cancer , you need to look for Doctor to healing your sickness instead of blaming the cancel treatment like Lab test , Radiology ,Doctor , Nurse…., it should blame with your SICKNESS. I hope all the kecharians to move forward to the right direction like do more Dharma work , take more responsibility, follow Rinpoche Teaching, participate more KFR project and making KFR manifest as soon as possible.
It is so counter-productive to use our precious human life to find faults in others and things, especially in disparaging one’s guru. There is nothing positive to be gained but creating causes for us to develop further negative habituations in our mind and soon we will spiral downwards faster.
Fortunately, such negative actions can be reversed by performing purification practices, but only if we recognized them as negative! It is not easy when we face with the conflict between worldly pleasures over Dharma, and the sign of one’s transformation would be if one picks Dharma. No matter how many people may agree with us, the collective wisdom of these people is not comparable to the wisdom of a realized Master.
It takes a qualified Doctor to verify the work of another Doctor, and the same goes for other subject matter. So I took the stance from early on to not judge Rinpoche actions and decisions at all cost but just go with the flow and let the big picture reveals itself. I learned from the Chinese kung fu films that if one wants to learn for the Master, one must surrenders oneself, especially the ego, to the Master. And with efforts and diligence, one will eventually get the true realization.
敬愛的上師
很感謝上師的帖文和視頻。
自從在克切拉接觸和了解法佛后，無可否認，法佛在內心和想法上都會讓自己有些改變。自己感受那感覺和轉變是好的。所以相信選擇把時間與金錢支助在佛法事業。可以讓更多人受益。
我相信上師所教導的佛法知識和指導都是基於對眾生的憐憫和慈悲心。讓我們今生能夠通過學習佛法改變自己，幫助自己和利益他人。
我感謝上師無私的付出，為我們眾生建設了美好的佛教中心如克切拉中心，克切拉禪修中心等等。提供美麗又舒適的環境讓我們學習佛法。
感恩。
Just a few paragraphs of dharma comments written by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo turned out to be such a profound dharma teachings. Thank you Rinpoche for explaining each and every paragraph in details.
I find this video talk by Rinpoche is very enlightening and very true. I myself have experienced it and will continue to fight the battle within me.I’ll read the beautiful quotes daily in the morning to set good motivation and to transform myself.
It is ironical that when we progress in our Dharma path, obstacles seem to propound thereby creating negative conditions to stop us. Our minds control us so much that we would prefer to stick to the devil known than the devil unknown. From my experience and what i have observed is when we start, all is rosy and cosy and makes us feel good and the feel good feeling stops us when we face more challenges. We then blame others for our pain and often times we choose the easier way, which is to give up. Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
I love this teaching very much and many of us always have the same problems like Rinpoche have been mentioned in this teaching. We do always like those who are supporting us and dislike those who are telling us the truth. When we come to the Dharma, it is a place for us to improved and facing our self. I love volunteering works at KFR every weekend because it provided me a chance to check myself whether I am still having the strong egotistic mind or not. When it appeared, I will force myself to do more and more works until the stupid egotistic mind disappeared. Like sometime they gave me many works to do and I felt like why some of them are so free and they just do a little bit works and why I need to do so much, I felt like unfair. But most of the time my wisdom mind will immediately come out and totally destroyed the wrong views that created by the strong egotistic mind. Now, when this type of thought coming out again, I will immediately force myself to do more so I may have enough merits to destroy the foolish thought. I always believed that only the Dharma practice can make me to become a better and a successful person in now and in the future. If I am still not going to change, then when? Thank you Rinpoche for your excellent example in this teaching that make us easier to understand.
I remember there’s a similar teaching by Rinpoche and he quoted “If you are doing Dharma works and you don’t face any problems,most probably it is not it..” we all know intellectually the benefits of Dharma works, until we actually doing it, until our body aching all over.. we will not realize and contemplate the first two truths (the suffering and its causes)without facing our true enemy, the self-cherishing mind. when we being push out of our comfort zone, it is when this true enemy appear where true Dharma antidote could be applied over and over again that lead to the third truth (cessation) and the final goal of liberation.if we do not know how or what antidote to apply, the fault lay on your lack of study and attitude (three pots) while listening to Dharma teaching and lack of contemplating on Dharma instructions.
Dear Rinpoche, thank you for sharing what Rinpoche thinks. I think we should not forget about death as it is the ultimate truth in this life. We should persist in Dharma instead as it will benefit us in countless lifetimes. Once again, thank you so much for sharing 😀
Dear Rinpoche,
How very kind of you to guide us every step of the way. Many people including myself gets upset when when we face difficulties practicing the Dharma.
I remember Rinpoche advised many years ago that Dharma practice is not about the 1 hour in doing the Sadhana or when volunteering or being a full time Dharma worker but also for the 23 hours off the meditation cushion ie the rest of the hours in our daily lives. The hours off the meditation cushion is where we can deceive ourselves, so that when we face difficulties, all Dharma goes out the window and we revert to the old deluded selves and basically hurt others in order to make ourselves “feels better” albeit for a few moments.
Over time, with study and contemplations of the Dharma, we can apply it by being aware that the application of the Dharma reveals our delusions for it to be purify; slowly but surely, like the doctor telling us the our diseases and using the medicine ie the Dharma itself to cure us. Then we are truly on our way to the true cure and lasting happiness.
We just need to recognize that something has always been wrong in the first place; the Dharma is telling us the truth and the Dharma is the medicine. We can use it to cure ourselves and others. Then we can be on our way to be out of samsara.
With Your blessing, I now generate the aspiration that I be out of samsara in the shortest possible time for the sake of others and that I practice the 3 principle aspects of the path genuinely and purely.
With Folded hands!
KH Ng
现代的人，都为了生活而不断的打拼，有时也会为了五斗米而折腰。明知道是不对的事，情，也昧着良心去做，做久了，内在就会产生一股对抗的力量，而产生了内外不一的情况出现，而衍生出许多的社会问题。当问题超过人类能力可以解决的范围的时候，许多的人便会往宗教的领域去寻求平衡，透过需多的善举，来平衡已经犯的错误，这正是问题的所在。
人通常你都认为，做错事情时，只要接受惩罚便能抵消自己的过错，就在这样的观念的驱使下，人不断的犯错，那么就会导致人们一直的活在轮回之中，而无法解脱，甚至还把责任怪在外在因素的头上。人还一直的往外寻找自己遭遇不幸的原因，而还不知道其实是自作自受，一切为自心所造，白白的浪费了珍贵的人生。
如果，每一个人都能接受这个道理，我相信解脱的快乐就离我们不远了。
Thanks Rinpoche for giving this powerful and real touch teaching for us…
My my personal view “Blaming Others” to cover themselves is the natural habit just like keep changing a mask to cover our face. So i truly wish that i can manage to kick this type of Naturally Habits through Dharma / Protector practice to lesser down my ignorance hence able to continue serve Dharma to collect Merits…
Thanks Rinpoche for remind us that “When there is obstacles coming when we wish to go to next level and this is due to our Wisdom is arising”. Maras always will come to disturb us especially when we want to do good, if we able to keep Guru Samaya strongly i feel that we can able to conquer Maras…
Most of us is hard to generate the True Motivation of being Enlightened through serving Dharma, but maybe we can make it as this motivation is 100 marks then we try to aim for 100 marks. If we aim 100 but only get 60 marks in this life time then our Samsaric life sure will be improve and can be a better person…
Thank you Rinpoche for the sharing. The quote really read up my current mind which my motivation still around with to make current life easy and happy.i still practising to let ” beneficial to other” to become part of my motivation and I will remind myself dont blame other for my unhappiness, “I m the creator, I m experience what I create” .thank you.
Dear Rinpoche , thank you for your precise explanations on the above quote . I think most lay people has been in prison for far too long to even contemplate leaving or aspire to leave . Maybe none of their inmates have left and returned telling them what’s it like outside prison .They couldn’t fully grasp or visualise what it’s like outside prison thus the motivation to leave is not strong enough
guru cant be wrong, dharma cant be wrong.if our motivation right every thing can become right. Dear rinpoche, thanks for sharing your teaching .
Dear Rinpoche , Thank you very much for this teachings. It is really true that many many people are enjoy samsara and wish things can be better and when things goes bad they blame everything except themselves or they go drinking and they go do silly things which most of my alumni guy would do in gathering and since going to MBF. I have distant them because I felt it I would go nowhere doing the same thing with them. I have also seen people who leave Dharma center and then gone to another center it seem to me that they are changing their outfit to fit into the situation whereby they feel more comfortable if we are so comfortable then how can we change to polish ourselves to be more aware.
This morning as I was walking to my vehicle I just felt that it is so meaningless to work endlessly in samsara and waiting for the day to die to get out of here and then where do I go to. Repeat the same stuff again in next life and where will my next life be? Sigh. So in order for me to liberate myself and benefit others I would toil to be a better person to serve others in Samsara and do not run away from difficult situation. Thank you very much for this great teachings and many reminders.
Samsara can be deceptive. Sometimes it is very comforting to stay there because we do not have to struggle to go further beyond samsara. It is nice sometimes not doing anything, get enough sleep, eat nice food, etc. However, I think I always know deep down that if I do not do anything, I will regret it in the end because nothing is impermanent and all the good situation that I am currently enjoying will not last and I need to create the cause and accumulate merits for the next good thing and the ultimate thing – to o beyond.
I have been facing a lot of battles within my own mind. It’s usually related to the fact that my original belief is to be uprooted and replaced with another thought based on new understanding. The battles are very painful. But I feel that after each battle, everything in my mind settled more lightly. I sleep better too knowing that one illness has passed and I can rest to prepare myself to deal with the next delusion.
Perhaps that is the reason that I do not like to meddle so much in other people’s affair or problems or look at and envy the nighbor’s grass that usually appears greener than mine. If I meddle it is usualy to help as much as I can and once done, I move on. I do not like to rest in past glory because what has passed cannot come back and to hope for things that has passed to return is draining. Instead, just like a general preparing to go for battle I just need to strategize, and use the ammunition from the last battle to prepare for the next battle of the mind.
This is so true that the battle arises from us know what we need to do but we didn’t do it due to laziness (or other reasons); and that we have internal battles is a good sign that our consciousness has risen.. remembering those days before I learnt about karma and I just simply do things without thinking about the consequences.
Another thing that is very important (to me, at least) is that people generally do care or concern about the consequence, otherwise, they won’t be feeling bad or guilty. As long as we still have conscious and we want to be good, there is still a chance to be beneficial to others.
I think it is quite difficult for people who live in a well to do lifestyle and life is comfortable to accept that samsara is suffering and difficult, but with time and contemplation, we all will realise that samsara is suffering and impermanence eventually..
In where I live where people generally has quite a lot of intellectual understanding of Buddhism, but when it comes to practicing them, that’s where the struggle. An example is that many of Buddhist friends who know they should be vegetarian because killing is not good, they struggle with it, but still can’t stop doing it…
I think the key point is that when we have doubt, just keep going forward and do it…
Thank you Rinpoche for your clear explanation of Jetsuma Tenzin Palmo’s quote.
Yes, in general we would not like to admit our own mistake. It is always easy for us to point fingers and blame others for our failures, mistakes or anything that did not turn out as we wished.
Listening to your profound teaching has unblocked my mind, change my concept and understanding about all obstacles I faced in my life.
I realized now that despite facing obstacles along the spiritual path, I should not give up. Instead I have to keep doing more and more Dharma work. Any obstacle I encountered is a beneficial lesson for me to learn and make me stronger and happier then after.
“最美丽的一点是，虽然我们的内心丑陋，可是上师却包容，保护你，愿意和我们一起走过。”
上师是不会害我们的。我们自己反省，如果这真的是骗局，他们要你的钱，要你的效忠，要利用你的办事能力，要控制你……
可是大家想一想。我们在外同工作，老板要你加班，要你效忠他，要你交出成绩（更恐怖的一些公司，甚至还迟发薪水，不给你假期，要你加班不然就滚蛋！）
我们内心越大的挣扎表示我们的欲望非常深，就好象健身房的训练师要你戒掉宵夜，不吃快餐，戒掉冷饮，为的是帮助你健康，你会反抗吗？你会去抨击说你的训练师有问题？（我看大家会觉得你有问题!)
我们在佛教团体，慈善机构工作，或是当志工，不论情况如何，我们都是在行一件好的事情，我们真正的看到别人的生活改善，我们亲眼看见别人的伤痛减低，也看见他们多年的问题解决。
当上师愿意抽出时间，训练你的心，要你真实的面对自己，要你看见自己丑陋的一面。但，最美丽的一点是，虽然我们的内心丑陋，可是上师却包容，保护你，愿意和我们一起走过。
我们必须懂得感谢。
————————————————————————————————
当我们对佛法的任何活动感觉到不舒服时，或是有内心挣扎时，不要放弃，那是我们的智慧开始觉醒。
仁波切利用“艾滋病”的例子解说我们在娑婆世界问题。
我们去了“艾滋病”盛行的国家，和许多的人发生关系，我们不明白病症的传播，我们不明白病症的严重性（就如我们对于这世俗世界宣扬的物质生活和讯息），身边会有许多人支持你，他们或许不明白艾滋的严重性或他们已是病者，要你一同感染病毒，因为他们生气自己被传染所以要所有人和他们一样。（说明了我们的世界的通病，无知及怨恨）
当有人站起来告诉你不要再和任何人发生关系，你觉得他们旨在控制你，威胁你，你觉得讨厌，其实他们是为了保护你，也保护身边的人。可是我们却看不见他们的好，反而和外边“无知和愤怒的人”一同数落抨击要帮助你的人。
这是一篇必看的文章和视频。
谢谢你把视频重点翻译为中文，对英文吸收不强的我，帮助很大。谢谢你的用心，感恩。
Thank you Rinpoche for an excellent teaching and an excellent anecdote of real life Dharma. When people enter the Dharma, they expect everything to be perfect and the Dharma to be delivered in the way they perceived it to be. However, in the real world and circumstances and karma, there’s no perfection. We live in an imperfect world and we ourselves are imperfect and therefore what we see can be imperfect as well. Even Rinpoche does not profess to be be perfect although in my personal opinion, he comes closest to perfection for me.
Unfortunately, I do not always see this and may have problems seeing perfection in what Rinpoche say or do. However, I have years of experience with Rinpoche and even when I perceive faults in what Rinpoche say or do but I know his motivation or intention is always faultless, always for the Dharma and always towards benefitting others. I have witnessed this time and time again. Hence, I advocate people to understand Rinpoche’s intention. That’s the best way to safeguard oneself from doubts and wrong perception.
This is so true, most people like Dharma and learn Dharma from philosophical perspective, but not with the motivation of getting out of samsara.
However, as we practice Buddhism more seriously, putting Dharma in practice, our motivation will change. With enough merits and purification of karmas, I think we will eventually walk the sangha path, seeking for REAL LIBERATION.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this profound teaching.I totally agreed with Rinpoche these ” No one has perfect motivation at first. But you generate it in your mind over and over and just do the work. Then eventually it will become real. Don’t wait to help others by saying you can’t even help yourself. You should help others and yourself immediately.” and “We may start our first step to learn and to help others,dun wait for perfect time because there is no perfect timing and No time to wait, just do it !” Keep blaming others didn’t benefit anyone..so accept the treatment which is given by “Doctor” untill we got healthy ! I pray that ~”In all lives may we never be parted from our perfect Guru and enjoy the glory of Dharma.Perfecting realisations of the path and stages,may we swiftly gain the state of Vajradhara.”
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for sharing the wonderful thoughts and the quotes. For myself, it is in fact an ongoing battle for me:
Dharma Vs Samsara
The thoughts that you have shared had made me realized fully that the enemy is within me, and no one is to be blamed except Me. I will continue to do more dharma and fight the battle in me. It’s a tough battle coz the obstacles are all out there. but I will persevere and win the battle.
Thank you Rinpoche.
Some people like to talk bad about others, criticize others and make them feel bad; Some will just blame others for all the bad things that happened. I think it’s because that some people are trying to run away from reality, and by blaming others will make them feel comforted. This is very bad, it’s like when you were diagnosed with cancer, then you blame the surrounding people, the entire world for that. If it’s in that case, then why don’t you just migrate to some other planet since it’s the whole world’s fault! It doesn’t make sense at all, if you have been taking care of your own body, then you will not have cancer.
It is interesting how our mind always plays tricks with ourselves. In Rinpoche’s book, “Why I make myself Unhappy”, http://vajrasecrets.com/books/english-books/why-i-make-myself-unhappy-2nd-edition.html Rinpoche already talks about how we should not play the blame game, because the reason for our every happiness and suffering is our previous actions. It is all the karma we created.
I do 100% believe that Rinpoche wishes to help every single one of us to the best of our ability, using every skilful means possible but you can only bring a horse to water, you cannot make him drink. Even Buddha and Jesus could not make everyone they met a Buddhist or Christian. And they had their fair share of detractors and critics and even those closest to them rejected /tried to harm them like Devadatta and Judas.
Buddha gave 84,000 ways to achieve enlightenement, people will be attracted to different methods. It doesn’t mean that any of the methods are better than the other or wrong.
As i have mentioned in other posts – if we don’t lose weight because we didnt go to the gym that often or follow the diet, is it the fault of the personal trainer or the diet? No. it’s our fault for not following the programme, so we don’t need to blame the Guru or Dharma centre if we (or other students) are not showing results of dharma practice if we don’t follow the Guru’s instructions. I think it’s that simple.
Dear Rinpoche, thank you for sharing on this important teaching to open up my mind into accepting the inner battle within ourselves when we engage in Dharma work, especially when we meet up difficulties and real challenges along the Dharma path. We really need to be always honest with ourselves that all the unhappiness and dissatisfaction come from our own deluded mind and there is nothing wrong with Dharma and Buddhist teachings. Dharma and Buddhist teachings are there for us to be absorbed into our mind and turned into medicine for our anger, malice, hatred, ignorant, wrong views and not to be the subjected of blame when worldly problems fall onto us. We should be truthful with ourselves that every good or bad results that comes to us is originated from our own deed. It will be very unwise if we are self denial and hiding ourselves that we look good and comfortable without the Dharma. May all Dharma brothers and sisters continue with good journey in Dharma and benefits more people out there.
It is quite common that people in general avoid pain, be it physically, mentally or emotionally. However, some look for it as in signing up to prepare themselves to be Iron Man, to be Olympic athletes, to run huge business empires, to jump off cliffs and planes and so on. It is not about the hours of arduous running that the road becomes the enemy. It is not the many pool laps to swim that the pool becomes the enemy. it is not the sky that the parachuter sees as an enemy. . It is not the opponent that is the enemy in a karate tournament. It is all the inner battles within to be overcome and to be won. Such is life…
So it doesn’t make sense when people fight against each other in a dharma centre. It doesn’t make sense when people fight against the Guru. Be at peace, learn and practice no matter what challenges we face and no matter where we are. It doesn’t matter if the whole world is against us..as long as we are real to ourselves.
This kind of becoming human’s nature, when things happen, finger always pointing out instead of pointing to own selves..
Many people walk into a Dharma centre hoping to find miracles that can solve their problems in life, so they can have a better and esier life, but unfortunately, Dharma is teaching otherwise, Dharma teaching easy life is the manifestation of bad karma, we must walk into the difficulties so we can grow and to walk up to another level of Spiritual practice.
Samsara is a place where we face problems and suffering, when we do not walk out from samsara, we are definitely continue to stay here and suffers, just like putting a clean shirt into dirty water, after washed with washing powder then put back into the dirty water to rinse, when we take up the shirt, it became dirty again. Same for us, if we continue to stay in this sea of suffering, then how how Dharma can remove our suffering?
When we realize the source of our suffering, that is a good sign, because we are no longer stay in ignorance, we had walk a step ahead for knowing why we suffer, then next step is our choice, continue to stay suffer unknowingly? or find ways to fight back and head towards the path of eternity happiness? Whichever way, we still suffer, the only difference is either suffer endlessly or suffer for now but in the path with exit way..
What Rinpoche taught us here today is priceless. I treasure his wisdom and his great love to all his students and Dharma newbies like me by sharing this video. Thank you Rinpoche.
I am glad that when there is battle is a good sign, as when battles end it is the peace and calmness will come. It is like a waves, when it comes it is very strong current with turbulence and once the turbulances is gone, there is calmness It gives me a different perpective that when there is battle or confusion within us, is a sign that clarity is arising, and once it happens, it is going all the way and with full force.
We have to know what is th path to take eventually, and make the right decision on the path.
Thank you Rinpoche for the explanation on the quote, which has given me a very good insight of the confusion that i am experiencing.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing the profound teaching from Jetsuma Tenzin Palmo and the further explanations by Rinpoche. It is very easy to put the blame to others so that we always looks good in front of the people or a victim. Very seldom we will admit that it is our own fault whenever things went wrong instead we will create and making excuses in our mind telling us it is alright. Owned your mistakes and move on, i think it should be the way.
It is very true that when we visit a Dharma centers we always wanted a quick fixed of our problems very seldom people will underlying a pure motivation to go beyond samsara. I guess in general most of the people have a very strong imprint to stay put in samsara and beginning to get used to it.
I’m just glad that i met Dharma so much so that i realized and know the way and which way should i take.
With folded hands, Thank you Rinpoche
Due to our habituation and past conditioning, we are very reluctant to change. Why is change so difficult? The obscuration of our mind and the amount of negative karma that we have accumulated since beginningless time are beyond description. Hence, the purification process is difficult and takes time! We will definitely meet with many obstacles and challenges during the process of transformation of our mind. We must practise patience here!
Failing to see things as they really are and not realising that samsara is deceptive and of the nature of suffering, we continue to indulge in the pleasures of samsara. A little bit of happiness is enough to distract us from our actual goal of leaving samsara. The reality is that there is no way we can improve our conditions in samsara. We cannot satisfy our never-ending desires. Our happiness in samsara is short-lived! True happiness comes from liberation from samsara and gaining full enlightenment.
There is nothing wrong with Dharma. If we understand Dharma correctly, we should be able to internalise the Dharma, practise it correctly and then experience the intended results eventually.
Unless we constantly review our purpose of doing Dharma, we may seem to be in Dharma, in Dharma activities and at the Dharma centre, in reality we are not producing any good result in our spiritual practice. A good and sincere motivation, perseverance, faith and strong reliance on our guru is a must to complete the spiritual journey.
Sometimes motivation is misunderstood,particularly in a spiritual practice.We can often tell how pure our motivation from the results of our actions.Only true devotion and pure heart can free the soul from samsara and it is a battle to be won to reach the final goal.
If I am doing anything worthwhile today,it is due to my Guru’s example and kindness.Rinpoche’s presence and support is an excellent remembrance for us fortunate students to keep the pure motivation as we work together.
Thank you Rinpoche for this excellent and powerful teaching.
Dear Rinpoche. It was certainly a reality check when I read the first statement – “Most people feel cozy enough in samsara. They do not really have the genuine aspiration to go beyond samsara; they just want samsara to be a little bit better. ……
The underlying motivation to go beyond samsara is very rare, even for people who go to Dharma centers.
There are many people who learn to meditate and so forth, but with the underlying motive that they hope to make themselves feel better”
I question if this is my underlying motive for being in the Dharma?
Sadly, the answer is yes! This motive definitely needs to be changed from “ME” to “OTHERS”, if I want to get out of samsara !
Its also “frightening” to learn of people who can be so close to the Dharma, yet be so deluded by anger and hatred. The normal repercussions of anger towards secular matters/people can result in so much bad karma; what karma would result from anger towards the 3 Jewels ? I cannot bear to imagine ! And why would one who is angry with the 3 Jewels want to spread this anger to other’s minds ? Its a very vicious thought and action ! At this crucial point we really have to practice COMPASSION for such people or otherwise the “anger” will spread like wild fire!
It also serves as a teaching and a wake up call to move on stronger and steadfastly towards our Dharma practice to ensure that we do not open up such evil seeds in our lives !
Thank you dear Rinpoche for this mind awakening teaching ! And thank you for never giving up on us ! Please take care !
Ego mind always seek for pleasure feeling and preference on what we love to heard. I found Kechara centre is like “spiritual healing” hospital – direct counter on human ego “sickness”. Although the “medicine” triggers on ego that causing the pain, ultimately goal is to guide us into correct path.
So, stop blaming on others. When we are pointing finger to other, another four finger are pointing back to us.
Thank you for Rinpoche another profound teaching.
Thank you very much to my Guru,Tsem Tulku Rinpoche for enlightening us. I will fight and win this battle within to be a better man.
Regards.
Dear RInpoche
My thought is being in a dharma centre or in a social world, being with a guru or not, we will encounter certain level of discomfort. We are all in samsara. All this arising because of our own delusions and karma. We need guidance, teaching in order continue to grow and improve. When we are not blaming others and responsible on whatever happen to us, we can move to next level. The process is very painful. However, no pain no gain. May I never depart from my Guru. Thank you Rinpoche.
Thank You Rinpoche for the powerful and profound teaching. It really sound familiar to me. I believe it happened to all of us especially Dharma practitioners. It is like our infected skin/sickness. It is painful to cut the infected portion but it even more painful to keep the infected part which might cost our life in near future. We ignored the fact for short comfort, it does not mean it will be ok for the rest of life. We might have worse and long term suffering due to this short comfort.
However, some of us are slightly better, we experienced the “Good Sign”. However, the battle inside us erupted. We are debating ourselves to avoid the Good Sign. We are finding the excuse and looking for someone who would agreed with us so that we do not feel bad to be away from Dharma which we know it is good for us from bottom our heart. However, we are so attached to comfort zone (which caused us to stuck in samsara). In fact, the ” Good Sign” is sign of purification, it is sign that we are moving away from our comfort zone to the next level. Persistence is the fix for the bad feeling.
We are so fortunate that we have our Guru to guide us to ensure we are on the right track and Kechara Dharma group to keep us warm and encourage each other to overcome all the difficulties.
Keep it up all the Dharma sisters and brothers. We will make it…..
We always blame everyone except ourselves. When things are not going our way, we blame the whole world except ourselves. When our Guru gives us advises, we are selective and only choose what we like to hear as the truth will create many negative emotions and bruised our ego. We feel upset and unhappy when our comfort zones are challenged.
With this profound teaching, I hope that we will all not have any more wrong perceptions of the Guru, the Dharma, the dharma brothers and sisters and the centers but to work on our self afflicted negative minds, so that we will not be lured to samsaric trappings.
Thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing this profound teaching.
Of course we’d feel unhappy, uncomfortable, challenged when our comfort zones are challeneged, when our egos are being tamed, when we “lose” face, when our attachments are being taken away… Who will do all that and purposely irked you to make you become better if not for your Guru? Think… why choose Buddhism, why choose a Guru if you are not going to listen and follow his teachings and advice to rid your negative habituations? It’s like saying I will see a doctor but will not listen to his advice on the medication, I will take my own medicine, I will operate myself – NUTs right? If you know so much more than the doctor than why bother going to see the doctor in the first blooming place? Doesn’t that sound off?!?!
I once was told everyone in Dharma is “sick” and we’re admitting ourselves in a hospital of the “mind”. Yes so we’re all “off” but the good part is we know it and we’re trying to get healed. So when the Doctor (the Guru) gives you the antidote to cure your ill mind… (to transform) you reject and don’t want to take the medication, then whose fault is it? The doctor or you for rejecting it?
If this you cannot see as “wrong” thinking and still keep blaming the Guru doctor, or the people around him doing good, than all I can say is… you are totally “off”, sorry, and beyond help for “now”. We call this type of mind, a cup upside down or a cup with cracks. Because no matter how much dharma the Guru has poured in to him/her… it never entered or it spills away through the cracks. So nothing entered… for now we will just say prayers and leave them alone. And on their side they should just zip it, because everyday saying negative, directly or indirectly, insinuating, causing schism and planting negative seeds in others’ mind about the Guru/Buddha/Sangha (your dharma brothers and sisters) one collects tremendous negative karma to never to meet a Gurur and Dharma ever again… the consequences are unimaginable… so I would recommend for your own sake to stop disparaging the 3 jewels. If you are not sure what are the consequences… please just google it! Please be brave and prepare to face it when it comes. Nuf said… x
It is very powerful teaching that Rinpoche gave to all of us. Nothing is wrong, what wrong is ourselves. No matter how hard we want to cover, try to hide…the truth will make you feel uncomfortable, triggered with frustration, anger, jealousy, hatred and so many negative emotional appeared.
Rinpoche said is true, how many people realized that the samsara is suffering? Even the people who come to centre or work in Buddhist centre still cannot get out from this ocean of suffering, in this case is me. It is very sad to said that.
Thank you for Rinpoche this powerful teaching, it is make me contemplate more what I am doing here? For what motive? For what purpose? Or just seek for feeling good….
It is true from my personal experience, while in my Dharma Journey in Kechara, I had numerous battles within and in the beginning there were so many people , things and events to blame, but as time goes by I realised that my battles within is arising out of some low form of realisation that all things appear as they are because of my perception of things.
Yes samsara is a very temporary comfort zone to keep chasing material and self indulgence and even give us a sense of great success, and ”busyness”. However this comfort is shattered when we understand even the basic tenet of Buddhism and as such not letting go of what we are used to creates this strong discomfort and battle within.
For me the only way out during this fights within is the desire to have peace within not to be angry as anger is too draining.
I have learnt to let these battles go on for a while, get deep into them and have some form of realisation what is good for me, and if I do not have the ability to find the realisation, I just accept and let the anger of the battle go. For sure under different circumstances the same battle will arise and may i then have acquired some patience and wisdom to overcome them and get out with my journey out of samsara with great hope and encouragement from my Guru.
Would you kindly provide the name of the text the Jetsunma quote came from?
Ｈｉ， Rob Parenteau． Ｉ ｔｈｉｎｋ ｉｔｓ ｆｒｏｍ ｔｈｉｓ ｂｏｏｋ．
Into The Heart Of Life by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo．
http://www.amazon.com/Into-The-Heart-Of-Life/dp/1559393742
Btw.. Sorry if i offended you. I know you are a good P.A to Rinpoche. I rejoice for all your hard work 🙂
Not at all Andy, nice for sharing.
Dear Rinpoche,
I had a very strong reaction to your video about “blaming the
Dharma” when practice gets uncomfortable.
I am in such a place now and I thought perhaps your readers would
benefit from my telling about it.
My studies are below my experiences in meditation – I am always
reading to catch up – and this is how my teacher wants it. He feels I
am too much in my intellect, and not enough in my experiences and
my body.
So I experience things and I have no names for them and cannot
reconcile them with intellect. This is very uncomfortable for me. I
am used to puzzling things out til they make sense and fit
somewhere. Now, nothing does! All my old beliefs – about who I
was, why I am here, what the universe is, how it works – all of what
I thought I “knew” (with intellect) is up-ended, wiped away, no
longer holds true – and there is NOTHING which takes its place!
I cannot believe that the hardest thing for me – is to sit still and just
ALLOW! It sounds so easy! but I am so used to DOING, heading
for a set goal, “making progress”.
I am trying to learn to let go of processing with my intellect, and
letting something else – this other way of knowing – HAPPEN to me.
I would just say to your readers – this brings up all old nightmares!
All the helpless times of your childhood come up through your
stomach – as the ego fights direct knowing (prajna). I can find
myself having bad dreams, or crying in meditation – or even being
AFRAID to meditate at all!
I think because this happens to me, it must happen sometimes to
you or to your readers. I have great symapthy – I send big hugs! I
have no answers, no names for this, but I think you still have to
keep on with the Dharma, keep sitting, keep working with the ideas
from the teachings. Even though it gets very rough – keep going!
Samsara isn’t MEANT to work – you can’t fix it or make it better.
You have to GET OUT! Then reach back and grab for the rest of
us, as Buddha did! The more of us who get free, the faster the
suffering ends!
Thank you, Rinpoche. I would just say to you – you kick butt! and I
listen! I am so glad you are on social media. Keep up the good
work!
The Royal Song of Saraha
Verse 14
Bees know that in flowers nectar can be found.
That Samsara and Nirvana are not two, how will the deluded ever understand?
Joke 🙂
What is green and red and spins around?
Answer: A frog in a blender.
What is green and red and whistles?
Answer:
Sorry typo at 3.00am
The riddle/joke should be
What is green and red, spins around and whistles?
Answer:
a frog in a blender pretending that it doesn’t care
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing and explaining this profound teaching of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo. It’s been a long time since i was a kid that i’m hearing again about the ‘pricking of our conscience’ that makes us feel uncomfortable. It troubles us and causes a battle to rage inside us of whether to follow the voice of our conscience or the pull of our negative habituations of laziness and an unwillingness to confront the situation. This in turn arises from our unwillingness to apply and practice the Dharma, as opposed to merely intellectualizing it.
We need to examine what our underlying motivation is , when we go to a Dharma center, pray and do pujas. is it a quick fix we want or the betterment of our lot?Do we even think deeper about wanting to liberate ourselves and others from suffering?
Hence, this conflict and dilemna comes from being torn between wanting to follow our better nature , our voice of wisdom and wanting to give in to the lure of samsara. When we don’t want to look inward where the solution lies, then we point our fingers at others and blame our teacher, the Dharma and our Dharma brothers and sisters.
I reckon it’s easy to blame others for our failure, confused state of mind, mistake, etc because we didn’t put in the effort due to our laziness, and unwillingness to change for the better. Thus when things don’t go our way, we blame the whole world and we ran, thinking that we are running from something bad. But just around the corner we ran smack into another same situation that we ran away from.
Dear Riponche, what a pleasure to be able to reply.
i found you, while I was doing an online search. I don’t even remember what was the subject of my search but I know it was something connected with the Dalai Lama. I had the opportunity to watch online one of your teachings about the process of dying and I just will say that something inside me loved it and knew that you were speaking from your heart and really trying to express the dharma in a way that regular people like me could understand. I loved it.
Now, my comment is in fact about your talk on “is it the guru`s fault”. I need to say that it impresses me how much you can translate ideas and make them in a way that it`s “easier” to understand. Like the idea of ignorance as being the center of all suffering in the samsara and how much that same ignorance make it very hard on us when we look for dharma center as our path in this life.
Thank you thank you !
I will be spending my say reflecting on your words.
Fernanda
Thank you Rinpoche for the commentary on Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo’s writings. It makes so much sense that we tend to live in denial as it’s the easy way out that gives us momentary joy. We freak out when we feel any discomfort or “unhappiness” when being “treated” for our “cancer”. The discomforts are necessary and as long as we are willing to go through the initial discomforts, the chances of us healing are much higher.
Unfortunately, not many people have the courage to swim upstream, against the so called “norm” that’s supposed to be the key to happiness. I believe that if more people come together to show others how to swim upstream, it would give them the courage and confidence.
On this note, I feel that this is one of the reasons why it’s important to have projects like Kechara Forest Retreat; a place where people gather to learn how to swim upstream.
Rinpoche just gave a details explanation on the article above. It is a short article but have a deeper meaning.
There was 2 points stood out for me after listened to the explanation.
First, people/we always blamed the world or others on anything bad or negative happened to us. Just like the cancer patient example that Rinpoche gave, people always complained that is the treatment created the pain but they forgot actually is was the sickness brought the pain. It’s because we have the sickness, the treatment will be painful for us to get better.
Basically we have another 2 choices:
A) To go through the treatment and bare with the pain for short term, but we got healthy body after that
B) We can just let the sickness take over our life, and we died
Second point that stood out from the talk is the example of the AIDS patient. Some people might believe in the AIDS patient and agreed on what he/she said just because they know nothing better, but it doesn’t mean whatever this patient is talking about is correct.
As a spiritual teacher or guidance, Rinpoche need to do or talk to many people about their problems. Sometimes Rinpoche will need to talk or bring the message across in gentle way, sometime in firm way, it’s all depends on the receiver, and what is the best way to benefit the receiver.
Some people who came to seek Rinpoche’s teaching or advise but they came with the condition of they only want to receive certain “treatment” that they feel comfortable with, this is why the problem will never get heal. If we are sick, do we to follow Doctor’s advice or we just tell doctor what kind of treatment we want?
Some people can’t take Rinpoche’s advise or teaching which have been thought out carefully before given it to them. They left and leave a lot of negative comments, but do they really think is the doctor’s method is not working or the patient actually didn’t follow the full course?
I spent most of the time with Rinpoche and this is what I observe everyday and how much work that Rinpoche need to do just to bring the right message over to the “patient”, but sometime the “patient” just decided not to follow the treatment, what can the doctor do ?
Well, I hope one day those “patient” who left will come back and continue their course before their “sickness” have no turning back.
Bryan, you have a point here. However I just want to add something, the teacher was never wrong this i agree, but when people leave it wasn’t really that they don’t want to receive treatment it was because that people beside the teacher is the cause. Let’s not talk who is right and wrong because it has no meaning to it. Just thought those who work very close with a teacher should carry sincerity 24 hours and treating everyone equally since is a buddhist center. i have a illustrate story to share of H.H 5th Dalai Lama, a protector, tulku drakpa gyeltsen and H.H The 5th Dalai Lama P.A. But not at this forum. Cheers
Hi Andy, thanks for your reply.
Just would like to share something with you. A teacher is like a doctor in a hospital, those who work closely with the teacher is like nurses, and the rest of us are patients.
Remember we all came into hospital (Dharma) to seek for help/solutions/ ways to be better, and the one we want to see/focus on is the doctor (teacher). In a hospital, we have very exprerience nurses and we have some new or not so skillful nurses. Sometimes we might just met some not so skillful nurse who trying to poke needles into us, and they bought pain to us and nothing us. My point is in not all nurses are perfect like the doctor, some nurses are also patients themselves too. But at least, they promise they will stay and help the doctor to treat others, instead of just leave it to others to do.
Yes, they might be unskillful, but at least they stay, they sacrified, they want to do something better and they help in whatever he/she can, also he/she learned from mistakes, just like any of us. I’m very sorry i couldn’t find any perfect nurses now, not even myself, but 1 thing for sure, we are sincere nurses, and we will train up very fast, to help our doctor to benefit much much more.
Hi Bryan, i get your point. However not everyone has the same thinking like you… Wish you all the best, 🙂
As Beng Kooi said, doing dharma is always about YOU and YOUR GURU, not you with the people around your Guru or people around you. We always need to focus the battle-it’s always a “internal war” inside ourself-not us with others, and always aware not let our mind/focus diverted to “nurses” around your Guru or around you.
Thanks Wah Ying! Yes.. DOING DHARMA WORK IS ABOUT YOU AND YOUR GURU.. I used to have a lot of doubts about how people around think about me and how I think about them. I was getting no where but focusing on myself actually for years. I wasted a lot of my time turning around and around creating a lot of guilt and worry for myself. Thanks to Rinpoche’s skillful guidance all these years. Thanks to the kindness of all my Dharma brothers and sisters who has pulled me up to another level of my life. It is a big deal to me because I decided to cut off my doubts and go all the way. I told myself, since I have a blessed condition to do Dharma for now, why not now? We are aging everyday.
Dear Rinpoche, funny but so very true. I had this feeling when I started in my journey using the ‘buddhist veicle’ many years ago. I felt shackled by the law of karma . It was all about getting better life in this and after life.it was so difficult to embed the real reason of the practice – to move beyond the samsaric cycle. Contemplation on impermanence and dying and death helps.
Dear rinpoche, thanks for sharing your thoughts, i personally think this quoate really help me to think beyond. But i just curious, when we are working/volunteering what should be our motivation be first? everyone have different reasons, even when we say we wan to benefit others? But if we cannot even change ourself how can we benefit others in return? So shouldn’t we think of ourself before thinking to benefit others. Sorry rinpoche for my distorted view i was just confuse.
Dear Andy, No one has perfect motivation at first. But you generate it in your mind over and over and just do the work. Then eventually it will become real. Don’t wait to help others by saying you can’t even help yourself. You should help others and yourself immediately. Much good luck. Tsem Rinpoche