So far we have discussed the imitative and the true version of practicing with a mind free of attachment and concepts. The true version refers to the way a boddhisattva, having arrived at the first ground, practices the six paramitas. Because the boddhisattva has realized the illusory nature of all phenomena, there is no attachment whatsoever to any practices of the six paramitas. But those who have not realized emptiness can only imitate the true version at best. If one does not understand the viewpoints of Madhyamaka, then not even this is practicable. When neither version is feasible, from what perspestive can one approach the idea of a mind free of clinging and concepts? 

~Depicted from FROM BELIEVER TO BODDHISATTVAS

We need to differentiate the dharma and people who claim they are manifestation of buddhas and bodhisattvas. If the four noble truths expounded by the Buddha are problematic, then the dharma itself is problematic. However, having listened to the dharma for a long time, everyone knows these doctrines are valid. One should not start out blindly worshiping and following those who are famed and claim to have supernatural power, then after some time, having found out some situations which are not aligned with the dharma, one proceeds to have the wrong view towards dharma and slander and criticise the dharma. These are two extreme acts, which distort the direction of dharma study.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

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

How to validate the existence of causality ? The Buddha once said that it is not so easy for an ordinary person to prove the existence of cause and effect, but not impossible. Buddhism holds the doctrine of dependent arising of all phenomena or compounded phenomena. What is dependent arising? It means that cause begets effect. All phenomena are the manifestations of dependent arising, the results of conditioned genesis. Suppose a person killed an animal. It caused great harm to that animal. How can there be no consequence for the person who had committed such grave karma? Like casually throwing a seed into the moist and warm soil., it will germinate on its own with no tending required. By the same token, in the phenomenal world, every cause must bear its own fruit with no exception. 

~Depicted from From Believers to Bodhisattvas

What is worrying is that many who receive empowerment today do not emphasize the secret mantra vehicle vow. Those requesting empowerment do not even know these vows are required for the empowerment. So they think once they receive empowerment, everything will be great. The fact is, once one receives empowerment, the difficulty is in maintaining the secret mantra vehicle vow.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Each time we die, the nature of mind will be revealed, but we never can perceive it. Every night when entering a deep sleep, for a split second we are in touch with the nature of mind, but we never can perceive it. Thus we need our lama’s pith instruction, with which we can attain enlightenment instantly. This is the swift method of the Vajrayana to attain enlightenment.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

In secret mantra vehicle, blessing from the guru is very important. Especially in enlightened Mahamudra. In this practice, there is no need for logical analysis or the practice of the breath and channels. Even the generation stage is not emphasized. Although in the practice of Vajrasattva, there is some simple practice of generation stage; this is, however, not essential. At the end of all practices, the essential link to enlightenment is the blessing of the guru. Of course, not just any guru can give this blessing. It has to be a guru who has the power to give blessing. Only then can we receive this blessing.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

We need to come to a clear understanding of what do we need? Is it money or happiness? Desiring both is difficult to achieve. Even endowed with some merit, one can make some profit through exertion, yet one might not be able to live an easeful life. Other than attaining a high level of spiritual achievement, how can one maintain a calm mind while being preoccupied with various engagements? Thus as an ordinary being, we have to choose one between these two.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

We forsake lots of worldly pleasures and undertake various penance such as staying up to chant mantras, meditate, make offering, and practice generosity, etc. However, Mipham Rinpoche warns us in the shastras: without addressing the fundamental problem, regardless of how many practices we engage in, we won’t attain genuine happiness. Thus we need to give up practicing superficial virtues which lack inner mindfulness, rather, in order to eradicate self-clinging, we need to commit ourself to hearing, contemplating and meditating.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES