According to the Nalanda Teachings, before we can receive teachings. We need to know the three purities. That is the purity of the Dharma, the purity of the Guru and the purity of the student. Guess which one we can relate to the most. If you thought that it was the purity of the student. You are right!
We can relate to that the most as we are currently Dharma students. Our mind must be pure when learning the Dharma. Pure meaning uncontaminated. You do not want to be like the dirty pot. I will talk about that later.
Every word of the Dharma is about reflecting yourself.
If we see someone that is going to die or past away of sickness, old age etc. What do you think? Most humans would think, "Whew! Lucky that was not me!" that is a bad way of thinking. We should be thinking, "I will be like them one day." or better, "I want to find the cure." The cure is the Dharma. You will be liberated from all suffering when you get enlightened after learning and practicing.
Why do we go and learn the Dharma? My answer would be that I can learn how to open my mind and reflect with my inner Buddhist.
Whatever things we have now will be lost at Death. All the money, all the Gems, everything you like will be gone when you are either six feet under, ashes or vulture food. Many people think that Buddhism is very pessimistic because we usually talk about death. In Buddhism, Death is one of the main subjects as it is applicable to all. We cannot challenge Death. Death comes to all.
Last week, Mr. Ngeow talked about profound and vast path. Noy just to let everyone know a bit more. The profound path comes from Manjushri and the Vast path comes from Maitreya.
Let's talk about Aitsha now.
When Atisha was born he had already had all the good qualities of a Buddha yet he still was humble. His first talk was, "I need a Guru".
Atisha got Enlightened in 12 years. Why am I telling everyone this? It is to prove that there is hope. We can get Enlightened in this lifetime.
There is no contradiction in any of Buddha's teachings. It is very consistent with our goal of Enlightenment, freedom from Suffering and permanent happiness.
Buddhadharma is all personal advice to be practiced.
Buddha's ultimate intention is for us to understand all of the stages of the path. The path is already paved out for you. It is your choice to take it. The path to Enlightenment caters for all. Even if you are black or white or yellow, you can get Enlightened.
When we study the Lam Rim, we will become wiser and when we become wiser, our motivations will change. When we are not so wise, our objectives will be very worldly but when we are wiser, we will think about others and our motivations will be more spiritual.
Why do we need a guru?
The reason is that a guru can see our mind and help us correct it. Here is a video on guru devotion by H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche
Listening to the Dharma
By listening to the Dharma, you will experience the following:
- Understand the meaning of the Dharma
- Cease non virtuous actions
- Abandoning meaningless pursuit
- oversome suffering
Listening is a lamp that dispels the darkness of ignorance.
Listening is the best gift we can have.
It is a gift because you can learn the Dharma by listening.
We must not be like the three pots.
Here is a picture of the three pots I drew. Please forgive me for my horrible art skills. I could not find a good enough picture online.
From right to left ----- Overturned pot, smelly pot, leaky pot.
Overturned pot - Nothing goes in
Smelly pot - Contaminated with wrong view and there is no result or improvement when in the Dharma.
Leaky pot - Things come in from one side and come out from the other side.
We are at least like one of these pots. Which pot are you?
We must not be like these pots. That is why we have the Dharma. We can use the Dharma to stop us from being like the pots or if you are any of the pots, it will stop us from remaining as any of the pots forever.
Rinpoche once said that a Dharma centre is like a hospital. We must regard ourselves as the sick people. We may be physically fine but we are mentally sick. The Dharma is the cure to our disease. The guru is our supreme doctor.
Our faith will increase when we overcome doubts.
Holding precepts or vows helps us to remind ourselves to be mindful.
What to buy to learn for today?
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