According to the Bodhisattva vow in the Mahayana, once giving rise to aggression and forsaking compassion to anyone, one violates the root precept of the Bodhisattva vow and cannot generate bodhicitta. Of all defilements, aggression is the most severe. The downfalls of aggression are countless.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
Although from the meditative concentration’s point of view, the heavenly beings in the form and formless realm are endowed with great capacity, the meditative concentration they abide in is mere tranquility, which is devoid of the wisdom of realisation, thus their meditative concentration has nothing to do with liberation. Among sentient beings in the three worlds and the six realms, only humans have the best chance to attain liberation. Thus being a human is fairly significant, we need to cherish our human body.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
We need to come to a clear understanding of what do we need? Is it money or happiness? Desiring both is difficult to achieve. Even endowed with some merit, one can make some profit through exertion, yet one might not be able to live an easeful life. Other than attaining a high level of spiritual achievement, how can one maintain a calm mind while being preoccupied with various engagements? Thus as an ordinary being, we have to choose one between these two.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
Today some Buddhists are reluctant to do ngondro practices; rather, they seek to practice on emptiness, deities and dzogchen — but this will not lead to any result. Without finishing the education of the primary school, how can one directly go to university?
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
Some people believe that Buddhism is a religion, which entails faith. Faith is necessary in Buddhism, however, the view of Buddhism as a religion is rather simplistic, because faith is just one element of Buddhism. The foundation and focal point are not faith, rather they are wisdom and compassion.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
Practitioners need to go with the flow in society, do whatever others do, be it fashion or trends, but abstaining from emulating the un-virtuous acts of others. The Mahayana Buddhism is rather humanistic and open. Modern buddhists need to appear as a fashionable and trendy person, but with an inner self liken to practitioners of 2500 years ago; this is a perfect combination! Buddhists need to have a mundane body and supra-mundane mind.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
Lay practitioner’s practice starts from observing precepts. Observing precepts is also considered as a kind of practice and it is in fact most vital. I have met many lay practitioners who, despite the fact that they have taken refuge in the Three Jewels and believed they’re a seasoned practitioner, have yet to take the five precepts of lay practitioners. This is rather unreasonable. In order be a lay practitioner, observing precepts is paramount. Precepts are the foundation of all practice and developing wisdom. Without observing precepts, one is not a genuine practitioner, thus observing precepts is compulsory.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
“If some people are endowed with the wisdom of the Buddha, some are not, then am I endowed with buddha nature or not? It’s difficult to answer. Will I succeed in my diligent practice?” Everyone possesses buddha nature, this is definitely so. Everyone has great potential, because we possess the wisdom of the Buddha innately, it’s up to us to find it’s existence. Once we succeed, all defilements will be gone, it’s that simple.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
If mankind has conviction in law of karma, it will not result in any loss, but rather mankind will lead a more peaceful, happier, harmonious life. The law of karma is the most justified law in universe, the hell realm is the most vicious prison in universe; these things can be verified.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
