WORDS OF WISDOM AUTHOR: KHENPO TSULTRIM LODRO

Finally, the point to remember is that altruistic motivation will naturally arise over time when practice is conducted properly and consistently. That is to say, our practice should follow the course of first establishing the right view, then learning to gradually forsake attachment and selfishness, and lastly endeavoring to arouse genuine Bodhicitta. Taking these three steps is the minimum required of a true Mahayana Buddhist.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 1

For us ordinary people, it would be very difficult to consider matters like renunciation, bodhicitta and liberation if we must struggle constantly to eke out a living. A harsh living condition may be helpful for some to generate renunciation, but renunciation developed under this circumstances is not real, as genuine renunciation must include aspiration to seek liberation. Poverty alone may not be enough reason for people to forsake samsara. Only those who have grasped the essence of the Dharma may possibly generate true renunciation. Therefore, Buddhists in general need not and should not deliberately live too poorly.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series  6

Buddhism holds that all physical phenomena, such as cobblestones, are arising and ceasing  every instant. Our senses perceive differently. But the truth of the physical world seen through a microscope corresponds to the Buddhist view point. Thus, we must acknowledge that physical senses are mistaken.  

 ~Depicted from the Seasonal Quotations of Khenpo

How to let go? There is a difference between “letting go” and “giving up.” Being pessimistic, cynical, prejudiced and life cant’ go on, so one was forced to temporarily give up. If one day the temptation appears, one will resume his character.  In Buddhism, this is giving up, not letting go. For instance, if one day, I have a better watch, the greed for the old watch disappears. This is not letting go; it is just transferring the attachment to the new watch. Letting go in Buddhism means to have no greed for anything. It is impossible to give up all worldly things. Worldly people need to survive and feed families and they should not throw away jobs and families, or give up earning money once they start to study Buddhism.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 9

Depending on each person’s own condition and capacity, all of us should at least try to be vegetarian from now on.  Our motivation though should be different from that of the non-Buddhists whose primary concerns are mostly health related rather than considerations for the future lives or compassion for other sentient beings. We will not only stop eating meat but should also vow not to eat meat ever again. Absent the vow, simply stop eating meat would not be deemed a virtuous deed on its own. The vow should go like this, “By the merit of quitting meat now, may I never eat meat again in all future lives.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 1 

During the period when Bodhidharma came to China to give Dharma teachings, Emperor Wu of Liang asked him, “I did many good deeds, such as being vegetarian and reciting the name of the Buddha, just like a monk. How much merit have I earned?” Unexpectedly, Bodhidharma exclaimed, “No merit!” Why? Because all the good deeds that Emperor Wu of Liang did may have no connection and is irrelevant with liberation as well.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 9 

Generally speaking, it is very difficult to directly prove the existence of causality because our eyes cannot look beyond this life for causes from the past lives and effects in the future lives. Nonetheless, through indirect means, as shown by the example above, it is possible to prove the link between cause and effect. Not only is samsara conditioned by causality, but also nirvana and liberation. Therefore, if it is liberation that we seek, we must plant the seed of liberation, which will then yield the fruit. Such is the view of Buddhism.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 1

As far as what has been taught regarding the twelve links of dependent arising, the end of these twelve links is aging and death. After one cycle ends with aging and death, another cycle begins again with ignorance. Thus, we go round and round, cycling repeatedly through life and death.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 3 

Buddhism, certainly Tibetan Buddhism, places great importance on happiness. However, the emphasis in Mahayana Buddhism is not on one’s own happiness; it is the welfare of all sentient beings which is important. When we strive to bring joy to all beings, we can be sure of attaining even greater happiness for ourselves. This well — being ultimately surpasses any that material enjoyment can bring. Such is the Tibetan Buddhist view on happiness.

Buddhism, certainly Tibetan Buddhism, places great importance on happiness. The emphasis in Mahayana Buddhism is not on one’s own happiness but rather that of all sentient beings. When we strive for the welfare of all beings, we can at the same time attain even greater happiness for ourselves. This well-being ultimately surpasses any that material enjoyment can bring. Such is the Tibetan Buddhist view on happiness.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 9