Teaching given by
Lama Jamyang Lekshey Wednesday 12th May 2004 at the Sakya Thubten Ling, |
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Lama Lekshey began by reiterating the teaching he had given on Friday May 7th when he had introduced the concept of samsara, the difficulties we face and liberation from suffering.
“Lord Buddha’s teachings are the path. Our minds will be purified on the path. Because of mind there is pure peace, but also sufferings. Mind creates good and bad. Don’t be angry with your enemy, but with your mind. The mind becomes enlightened and becomes the Buddha. Mind goes on, there is no end to mind.
Samsara is this Universe. Nirvana is being free from samsara. The samsaric mind is you. Change is suffering, think of Saddam Hussain. He had many riches, but see him now.
Mind is clarity and voidness or it can be full of conflict. It’s like a mirror. If it’s dusty it cannot reflect us, no matter how long we look. Because of negativities (envy, anger etc.) we can’t see the true nature of the mind. This is why we meditate.
It is the same for all sentient beings, all can be enlightened. Shantideva said even insects if they have the opportunity to put in effort can become enlightened, but they have less of a chance. To be human is to have the best chance to achieve enlightenment in the six realms of being. This is why we put our life towards practise.
To practise as a Buddhist, there is the first teaching of the Buddha - the Four Noble Truths. Buddha told of three different types of suffering; the suffering of suffering, the suffering of change and the suffering of conditional existence. If you do not accept the concept of suffering, do not practise.
So, why practise? The cause of suffering is desire, anger, hatred jealousy, pride and ignorance. This is the ego. There are causal actions that will lead to suffering. Unwholesome actions such as killing stealing, sexual misconduct, greed, harmful thoughts, lies, talking bad
About others, planning negative things and wrong understanding. We can change these unwholesome actions to wholesome actions (by doing the opposite).
But, remember we are human! Try and make commitment and refrain from the negative action.
We can free our minds by practicing the Dharma. In Mahayana we generate love and compassion-bodhichitta. It is unconditional. We can’t be sure of who we were in the past or will be in the future, so we all have to be kind.
The cause of suffering is self cherishing. The six parameters - generosity, morality, patience, effort, contemplation and wisdom go beyond suffering.
Bodhichitta is a kind of thought to wish oneself to be in samsara for the sake of other human beings. It is the wish to achieve enlightenment to save others. Real bodhichitta is seeing others as more important than yourself. Without loving kindness, proper motivation, we cannot achieve enlightenment, so we must practise the six perfections.
To do emptiness meditation we need to be able to focus on one point (known as samatha - stable mind - calm abiding). We need to be mindful of the seven body postures. To meditate on emptiness is non-existence - inherent non-existence. Non-existence as we perceive. There is no point in becoming attached. Keep mind free from thought, then mind becomes separate leading to peace and liberation. Mind becomes transformed into wisdom. There are three qualities of Buddha-body mind and speech.
Body - Buddhas can come in different manifestations (not magic, but mind power). Speech - everyone will hear in their own language.
Mind - Buddhas can see past and future lives and causal conditions.
Buddha is the fully developed mind transformed by wisdom. The Sambhogakaya Buddha is the highest Buddha is pure light.
I am very pleased to be at the opening of the centre. It is necessary to have this kind of place big or small. The achievement was co-operation.
I thank everyone. We used to have the Shrine in Enigma, which was good to have, but to have this independent centre is more important. The centre is where members can feel at home. But now we have to pay! Members must work hard. It is important for the Sakya Thubten Ling to create a good atmosphere for all human beings in this area. We can be proud to be Sakya Thubten Ling members. Teach people to have a good attitude. Reduce crime. There is a need for care both spiritually and mentally. Don’t be pushy, gently introduce basic teachings. Be like a family, don’t be nasty to each other, be patient.
I wish you all success and good health.”
