What does “preliminary practice” of Tibetan Buddhism mean? It means preparatory practice. Despite the fact that ultimately we need to attain the wisdom of emptiness, without laying a solid foundation of cultivating renunciation and bodhicitta, we are not able to realise emptiness.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
There is an interesting secret to confronting suffering: the more receptive and welcoming we are, the less it dares to approach us; the more hostilely we refuse it, the easier it can intrude our mind. For this reason, if not desiring suffering, one needs to embrace it courageously.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
If one feels as if one's life is meaningless due to encountering various unfavorable conditions, this is not a condition for renunciation. Genuine renunciation is a mind which is positive, with the drive to seek an end to suffering, and a goal--renunciation of samsara.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
Once one has realized emptiness, then one can solve the final problem. The final problem is not how to have a better life, or make more money. It is resolving the problem of birth, old age and death. It is to be liberated from cyclic existence. It is not just for one’s own liberation. It is to return and liberate more sentient beings. To have more people be freed from life and death. This is the ultimate goal of our practice.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
One who practices compassion will become broad-minded, helpful, and through such practice one is able to discover the meaning of life. The energy of loving kindness one exudes will make people around him or her easeful, cheerful and warm. Even practicing compassion for ten minutes, one will attain countless merit.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
Although the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas have transcended the relative truth, no longer have the flesh-and-blood body, but in order to liberate us, they will still manifest a body of flesh and blood. There is no way for the Buddha Amitabha of the Sukhavati Pureland to liberate us, neither does the manifestation of Buddha Samantabhadra in the sphere of the pure phenomenon. The Sambhogakaya and the Dharmakaya of the Buddhas are sublime, however, they are not able to liberate us as well. This is because they are not able to communicate with us and thus, a teacher in a relative sense is very important.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
Lay practitioner’s practice starts from observing precepts. Observing precepts is also considered as a kind of practice and it is in fact most vital. I have met many lay practitioners who, despite the fact that they have taken refuge in the Three Jewels and believed they’re a seasoned practitioner, have yet to take the five precepts of lay practitioners. This is rather unreasonable. In order be a lay practitioner, observing precepts is paramount. Precepts are the foundation of all practice and developing wisdom. Without observing precepts, one is not a genuine practitioner, thus observing precepts is compulsory.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
If one feels as if one's life is meaningless due to encountering various unfavorable conditions, this is not a condition for renunciation. Genuine renunciation is a mind which is positive, with the drive to seek an end to suffering, and a goal--renunciation of samsara.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
The way to dedicate according to the dharma is to wish for all sentient beings to reach sukhavati, to be liberated and reach Buddhahood, and have no consideration for one’s own benefit. Even though one did not ask for anything for oneself, cause and effect is never wrong. At the end, what one should have will appear at the appropriate time.
~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES
