There are two ways to realise Dzogchen: one is to listen to dharma extensively, then to accumulate immense merits by engaging in the practice of cultivating renunciation and bodhicitta, the practice of mandala offering and embarking on the path of bodhisattvas. When accumulation of merit rises to a certain level, one can realise emptiness; another way is to rely on the qualified master’s blessing. The premise to receive such blessing is to have devotion. The stronger the devotion, the more blessing one can receive.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

All practices of the peerless Vajrayana put great importance on cultivating renunciation and bodhicitta. For instance, when engaging in development stage practice, without the view of emptiness and compassion, even if one can visualise the deity clearly, it’s meaningless. Similarly, according to sutras, without renunciation and bodhicitta, even if one has recited deity’s mantra over 100 million times, it’s not a big deal. Thus the prerequisite of any practice is to engender renunciation and bodhicitta.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

It happens quite often that people make speedy progress at the initial stage of their practice, but the progress tapers off after some time. Worse, some may even stop practicing altogether.  This is mainly due to a lack of systematic approach to Buddhist practice. What should be done about it. 

First, we must understand what the foundational practices are and duly recognize the importance they command on our spiritual journey. If we try to practice the advanced teachings like the Great Perfection or Mahamudra without first completing the preliminary practices, no results will be achieved owing to inadequately prepared faculty. Thus, the foundational practices should be made the top priority for all who instead to bring their practice to fruition. 

~Depicted from FROM BELIEVER TO BODDHISATTVAS

It’s stressed in shastras that we need to rely on the dharma, rather than the person. Which means in the course of dharma study and research, we need to have conviction and rely on the authentic dharma or truth, rather than rely on the person’s fame, status, or power. We need to analyze if this person’s words are in accordance with the dharma and the truth, if the answer is yes, then we can trust this person’s words. Otherwise, regardless how famed a person is, we should not follow this person’s words blindly.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

When first joining Larung Gar, due to immaturity, we tended to be prideful when making progress in our study, H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche would regularly dismantle our ego by various means. Therefore, we dared not be conceited regardless how much progress we made. Our teachers were ruthless to a student with potential, seemingly scolding us daily. Because they were confident that the disciples would not get irritated and take off, thus he subdued us without holding back.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

When H.H Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche gave the teaching of the Great Perfection, he requested that all participants must complete the five preliminary practices beforehand or no attendance be allowed. That certainly gave pressure to many who subsequently scrambled to complete in time. Of course, if completion means only meeting the requirement of finishing 100000 mantra recitations without generating the corresponding aspiration or actions, it will do nothing for the inner self but a show of formality. Hence, it is most important to take a systematic approach to dharma practice and be mindful at all times of pure motivations. 

~Depicted from FROM BELIEVER TO BODDHISATTVAS

Some people who are actually fairly wealthy, mistakenly believe that you can not be liberated if you live a comfortable life, only suffering can lead to liberation. The Buddha does not support such a view. The Buddha believes that even if you don’t eat, drink or bath all your life, you still would not be liberated.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Let us ask ourselves: ' Which level do i belong? Did i or can i improve over last year?" If the answer is no, then we do not belong to any one of the three levels of practitioners. Since there is no fourth level, it just goes to show that we are practitioners in name only. And even that could be an overstatement. 

~Depicted from FROM BELIEVER TO BODDHISATTVAS

Some may questions, " These people are actually doing good things to others and keeping up with their practice, not killing or stealing. Why use the word "unwholesome" to describe their intention ?" That is because even if one succeeds in reaping the benefits of this life through practice, so what? It is altogether likely that after regaining health, for instance, one may do something resulting in more negative karma, leading to more suffering in the future. Even though the motivation itself is not evil, it remains a potential cause of affliction. It not only will not help end suffering but more may ensue because of it. Hence, the descriptive word "unwholesome" is assigned to this type of motivation.

~Depicted from FROM BELIEVER TO BODDHISATTVAS