WORDS OF WISDOM AUTHOR: KHENPO TSULTRIM LODRO

What about a person who on hearing the teachings of emptiness and no-self has no reaction at all and appears dull, displaying neither confidence nor repugnance? On this point, the great master Tsongkhapa said in his commentary on Introduction to the Middle Way that without clairvoyant power, a teacher cannot ascertain a person’s capacity nor know the extent to which the teachings on emptiness can be expounded. Nonetheless, a person who has genuine respect for a spiritual friend or guru and adheres strictly to the guru’s every word is also qualified to receive the teachings on emptiness, even if the person does not exhibit the kind of reactions mentioned above.

Why is that? Although the wisdom capacity of this type of person is not yet mature, they have deep faith in their spiritual friend; they accept whatever the spiritual friend says and whatever is taught by the buddhas and bodhisattvas. In their minds, there cannot possibly be any mistake in the teachings of the guru and that of the buddhas and bodhisattvas; even if they do not understand emptiness at the moment, they can accept the concept. Hence, it is also fine to teach emptiness to this kind of person.

- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Phenomena Lack Self-Existence"

The more it is dedicated, the more it grows; the more it is kept for oneself, the more likely it decreases. This aspect of the root of virtue is just the opposite of that of worldly things.

In the process of realizing no-self, we should distinguish between two stages: the first is not finding the self; the second is not only failing to find the self but also recognizing with certainty it does not exist. It is realization of no-self only when the non-existence of self is directly perceived.

- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Phenomena Lack Self-Existence"

A Buddhist practitioner must first be able to see through the vanity of money, fame, etc. To “see through” is to know these things fade like the cloud and smoke, and that none are worth pursuing. Of course, even if we have this understanding today, we may not be able to give them up right away. The Buddha did not expect us to do so either; even if he did, we would not be able to comply. Nonetheless, the inability to forgo these things does not imply samsara is not suffering, nor does it suggest we cannot give them up in the future.

- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "The Importance of Practice "

Certain religions like to stress the mysterious power of ghosts and spirits. Although Buddhism does not deny their existence, it believes the biggest demon in the world is the deeply embedded tendency to cling to the self. Outer demons can only affect our daily life in small ways, such as causing illnesses or obstacles. They cannot bind us in samsara, not even if the ghosts of the entire universe combine their forces. Only clinging to the self has such power. Yet, we have never realized that this fellow, Self, who abides in our mind at all times and whom we are very fond of, is really a demon.

- Quote from The Right View, "The Four Noble Truths—the Path Out of Samsara"

After contemplating on the nature of samsara, we will know samsara is full of suffering — if it is not suffering of suffering, it is suffering of change or all-pervasive suffering. The things people covet, such as wealth and position, are all temptations that are transitory and unreliable. Those who make the pursuit of material pleasures their only goal in life will likely experience despair, disappointment, and pain after contemplating suffering of samsara. On the other hand, in recognizing all of the above, we as practitioners should probe further and ask: is there no goal more worthwhile than the pursuit of wealth and position? Is there no accomplishment to be attained other than wealth and reputation? While these pursuits are not meaningful, it doesn’t mean life is meaningless. Apart from seeking high office and material riches, we also have a far greater and more precious aspiration which we didn’t know about until Sakyamuni Buddha pointed it out to us, that is, to attain liberation by following the path.

- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Contaminated Things are Unsatisfactory"

The general view is that nothing remains after death, so the meaning of life is to enjoy life to the fullest while it lasts even at the cost of squandering the precious lifetime, depleting massive amount of resources and destroying the natural environment. Still, happiness is beyond reach. It shows that to pursue happiness this way only leads to disappointment.

For most people, it is quite necessary to understand these points. Whether to continue chasing material prosperity or choose a more meaningful way of living is crucial to where this life will lead us.

- Quote from The Right View, "A Buddhist’s Mode of Life"

The so-called “aggregate of perception” refers not only to the activity of the sixth consciousness but also to the thoughts produced by the other five types of consciousness. For instance, when our eyes perceive a flower, each color on the flower – white, red, green, etc. – constitutes a different perception.

- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "The Practice of Realizing Emptiness"

No matter who you are, there will always be someone who is better than you. If your aim is to get to the top social stratum, your whole life will be spent in the pursuit of such vanity until the end. The consequence of chasing endless desires is never to be happy. 

- Quote from The Right View, "A Buddhist’s Mode of Life"