One needs to make a strenuous effort in the Ngöndro Practices, it may take three or five years, or even longer. One should not hasten to seek results. The process is vital, one needs to engage in solid practice methodically. Some of Patrul Rinpoche’s students had practiced Ngöndro over ten or twenty times, eventually all of them attained enlightenment. We need to meet all criteria of attaining enlightenment through practicing Ngöndro. Our mind is so turbulent and our defilements are so severe, without the power of Ngöndro, it’s impossible for us to attain enlightenment.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

As the saying goes: One takes the behavior of one's company. The impact of one's environment upon oneself is difficult to determine. If you spend a long time with friends that are a bad influence, then not only will you not have the hope of arousing bodhicitta, but the good habits that you previously developed may fade away. A person's buddha nature can mature in this life, but due to encounters with others who are negative influences, the seed of buddha nature would not be able to mature and sprout. There would be no chance of liberation in this life. Isn't that a pity?

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

“If some people are endowed with the wisdom of the Buddha, some are not, then am I endowed with buddha nature or not? It’s difficult to answer. Will I succeed in my diligent practice?” Everyone possesses buddha nature, this is definitely so. Everyone has great potential, because we possess the wisdom of the Buddha innately, it’s up to us to find it’s existence. Once we succeed, all defilements will be gone, it’s that simple.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

The content of the Buddha's teaching changes according to the different capacities of sentient beings. Can we then infer that Buddha never speaks the truth, but just teaches according to the faculties of sentient beings? No,we can not. This only indicates that sentient beings possess tens of thousands different capacities and that is why so many different methods are used to engage them in the Buddhist path. Although various methods are used to, step by step, leading sentient beings onto the Buddhist path and this path is the only path leading to ultimate liberation.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

“If some people are endowed with the wisdom of the Buddha, some are not, then am I endowed with buddha nature or not? It’s difficult to answer. Will I succeed in my diligent practice?” Everyone possesses buddha nature, this is definitely so. Everyone has great potential, because we possess the wisdom of the Buddha innately, it’s up to us to find it’s existence. Once we succeed, all defilements will be gone, it’s that simple.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

If you want to get rich, the best method is to make offerings and give generously—giving to the poor and making offerings to the three jewels. This is the only way to see results in this world.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Those who refrain from killing and practice life release naturally give rise to love and compassion in their mindstream. This is because the main elements that generate love and compassion are non-killing, practicing life release, and vegetarianism. Buddha also said, "Great compassion is the seed of true dharma." Those who undertake the precept of non-killing, and practice life release are protectors and saviors of sentient beings. They are lamps that shine upon the darkness of cyclic existence.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Death is vital for everyone, because this is the reality everyone is reluctant to face but have to face. For ordinary beings, death is a dark, unknown area, pervaded with despair, mystery, suffering and sorrow. When facing death, almost everyone feels panicked and fearful, these are all due to the misunderstanding derived from not understanding death. If having gained a correct understanding of death, then fear will be dispelled, and preparations for death can be made.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

If mastering the mystery of mind, when encountering suffering, one is able, not only to face up with suffering courageously and calmly, but also give rise to joy due to one understanding that it’s a rare opportunity to practice when experiencing suffering and happiness. There is a mundane saying: Transforming sorrow into strength, which means transforming negative emotions such as sadness and sorrow into the progressing impetus on the path.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES