Although trying to avoid suffering, all living beings are not free from suffering, which derives from ignorance. Due to ignorance, the method to seek happiness is tainted. Thus despite the fact that we seek happiness, we reap the result of suffering. Therefore, the primary driving force of cyclic existence is ignorance, which leads to self-clinging, then it is followed by the clinging to one’s possessions, next defilements such as greed, aggression, and pride, etc, ensue.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Ignorance leads to attachment, such as clinging to external world, one’s own body, fame and gain. Without satisfying one’s desire, one will suffer. In order to satisfy one’s desire, one will engage in negative acts, such as killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, and lying, etc. All negative acts stem from attachment and ignorance.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

The mind of our teacher is luminous buddha nature. Our mind dissolves into the teacher’s mind, which also means that all our thoughts dissolve in luminous buddha nature of dharmadhatu. In the end only luminous buddha nature exists, which is in fact the realisation state of buddhas and bodhisattvas. The state of realising the Dzogchen for the first time is similar to this.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Although trying to avoid suffering, all living beings are not free from suffering, which derives from ignorance. Due to ignorance, the method to seek happiness is tainted. Thus despite the fact that we seek happiness, we reap the result of suffering. Therefore, the primary driving force of cyclic existence is ignorance, which leads to self-clinging, then it is followed by the clinging to one’s possessions, next defilements such as greed, aggression, and pride, etc, ensue.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

For many practices, transmission is empathised, especially of the Vajrayana. What do we mean by transmission? It means since the first turning of wheel of dharma of the Buddha, the stream of dharma handed down from one generation to another is called lineage, or transmission, which is non-stop, if it’s broken, then the great blessing of the dharma will not continue. Thus, notwithstanding the existence of scriptures,without oral transmission and transmission of pith instruction, the dharma would be extinct.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

If perceiving one’s teacher and oneself are two individuals, then the minds of the two can never merge; however, the mind of our teacher is actually our own mind. The nature of our mind is not only the wisdom of our teacher, but also is the mandala of buddhas and bodhisattvas, including the mandala of the peaceful and wrathful deities.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Does western science promote being doubtful of anything? Since this is the case, we need to be doubtful of our own existence, our sensual feelings from ears, eyes, nose and tongue, and even our own perception. We cannot only be doubtful of the existence of the creator, theism, and idealism, etc, yet not be doubtful of ourself. If this is the case, then it’s a partial and biased act.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Having received teachings from his teacher, Milarepa was asked by his teacher to practice on his own, thus he never saw his teacher again. Due to fervent faith in his teacher, he could attain enlightenment in his very life. Without having strong faith in one’s teacher, even should one stay with their teacher every minute, one will not necessarily receive the blessing of the teacher or attain enlightenment.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Great masters in the past had one character in common, which is not claiming how extraordinary one is, or being a reincarnation of some tulku, or being sent by Guru Rinpoche, or that one’s previous incarnation was some figure at the Buddha’s time. All great masters are broad-minded, humble and prudent. They would often claim “I don’t know” “ I cannot do it.” “I don’t have experience of realisation”, and so forth.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES