In Buddhist thought, the origin of samsara may be summed up accurately in one sentence: “It is seemingly far away, but it is actually right in front of you.” Why do we say that “it is seemingly far away, but it is actually right in front of you”? As to the first part, it is because all of us have experienced birth and death endlessly within samsara and, except for the Buddha, there is nobody else who could calculate the number of times we have transmigrated within samsara. Due to the length and distance of samsara’s cycle, it is therefore stated that “it is seemingly far away”. On the other hand, every living being has experienced the beginning and end of samsara with the appearance and disappearance of birth and death, deep sleep and thought. Therefore, it could be said that the beginning of samsara is “just right in front of you”.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 3

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 on with diligence.  

 ~Depicted from the Seasonal Quotations of Khenpo

Taking refuge in a guru is not only prescribed in Tibetan Buddhism but also in Han Chinese Buddhism and Theravada Buddhism. It is clearly stated in the precepts of Theravada Buddhism that, after receiving precepts, only after following a master for at least 10 years can a disciple be qualified to live on his own. Before that, free activities are disallowed.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 3

Prior to 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 Seasonal Quotations of Khenpo

There are three reasons why we cannot attain liberation: First is the greed for external possessions, to the world and to the samsara; second is the attachment to ourselves, namely the self-grasping, self-cherishing or selfish mind; third is the attachment to the belief that everything in the material world is truly existent.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 9  

Living in a complicated social environment with 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 Seasonal Quotations of Khenpo

As the saying goes, “It takes more than one cold day for the river to freeze three feet deep.” We are after all ordinary people, unable to just give up our insatiable worldly desires overnight. But as mentioned above, it does not matter what we practice, Mahayana or Hinayana, as long as the aim is to attain ultimate liberation, genuine renunciation will gradually arise over time.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 1

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.

 ~Depicted from the Seasonal Quotations of Khenpo 

What can be detected by our five senses, including the people we meet and the surroundings we are living in, all indeed seem very real. They are like what we experience in a dream, which is also vivid to us. When we have a dream at night, we still have a strong attachment to our surroundings. We cannot deny the existence of our dream when we are in the dream. However, when we wake up from the dream, we suddenly realize that the dream and everything in it were unreal.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series  3