The Buddha did say that samsara is suffering, but it doesn’t mean that he denied the existence of joy and happiness in life, he just wanted to point out the temporary and relative nature of worldly happiness. One should not be so blinded by such happiness as to forget the future.
"The Four Seasonal Quotes from Khenpo"
Life in essence is a book of truth. It tells of many truths through the events happening around us - the varying tastes of life associated with cyclic existence, the illusive and dream-like nature of all nature phenomena. But we never pay much attention to the actual state of things, hence remain ignorant to this day.
~ Depicted from "The Four Seasonal Quotes from Khenpo"
My Guru, H.H. Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, once told me, before gaining realization, your understanding of the Dharma is like looking at the roads on a map. So strive off with diligence.
~ Depicted from "The Four Seasonal Quotes from Khenpo"
Some say that Buddhism seeks happiness only for next life and none for this life. This is not true. Buddha just asked that we should not ruin our next lives for the pursuit of pleasure of this life, nor should we destroy our future path for the easy comport of today.
~ Depicted from "The Four Seasonal Quotes from Khenpo"
For most of us, our belief in science base on a few prominent scientist’s words, not our own experiments. Similarly, with his supreme wisdom, the Buddha realized the truth of causality and revealed to us. Why do we doubt him ? Shouldn’t we use the same reasoning for both ?
~ Depicted from "The Four Seasonal Quotes from Khenpo"
In the midst of nightmare, if one were to know that it is just a dream, then whatever fear or sadness felt then would vanish in an instant. If one can attain realization of emptiness, all suffering in life will also gradually disappear.
What we should repudiate are not view of the non-Buddhists or the atheists but our own attachment. Once attachment is eliminated, no amount of heterodox ideas can affect us anymore. To someone who has attained realization, those ideas, no matter how extravagantly they may sound, make no difference at all. And the way to completely eradicate attachment is by developing renunciation, bodhicitta and, most importantly, the view of emptiness.
~ Depicted from "The Four Seasonal Quotes from Khenpo"
Prior of attaining any realization, we are like walking with the eyes closed. For us, the learning process during this period is just like the blind asking for direction on the road. Attaining realization is as if we open our eyes and see the way, but it is still the long way to go.
~ Depicted from "The Four Seasonal Quotes from Khenpo"
Living in a complicated social environment and hurried pace of life, one will still be able to relax and savor the joy that comes with piece of mind if one can meditate one to two hours in the morning and evening every day. One may even discover what life needs the most along the way.
~ Depicted from "The Four Seasonal Quotes from Khenpo"
