I would like to let the new comers know about our
background. Actually, our connection with Tibetan Buddhism is very strong.
There are friends from Tibetan Buddhism who often pay us visits including the Khenpos
and lamas from Nyingma, Gelug, Sakya and Kagyud. I am a “rime”
(non-sectarian). I learnt from many schools of Buddhism during the initial
stage of my practice including Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana; Kagyud, Nyingma, Gelug and
Sakya. I don’t care who you are, as long as you have something worth learning,
I will learn from you. I always assume that I have nothing and I am always prepared to learn from scratch and
from everyone.
I have
been learning non-stop during the past 30 years; I have never stopped learning,
listening and reading. I have learnt a lot from books,
including two, three hundred books written by Grand Master, which I will usually
finish reading at night on the very day I got hold of one, assimilating the
essence of Grand Master’s teachings. I also read books written by Tsultrim
Lodro Khenpo, Sodaji Khenpo, Master Nan Huai Jin, H.H Jigme Puntsok, H.H Diglo
Kyentse, Master Liu Rui Zhi, Master Chen Jian Min etc. As long as you are
capable of writing something, I will read it. They are my source of learning, I
regard them all as my teachers and I learn from them.
Of course, I know that one is unable to attain
enlightenment by simply reading. The books are just a guide telling a
practitioner the various methods of practice. You will not be able to attain
enlightenment after reading the Three Tipitakas and the Five Major
Commentaries because they are just a finger pointing at the moon; you will not
be able to reach the moon through mere reading the finger. If reading the books alone can give the reader the
state of enlightenment, who among the students of Grand Master has attained
enlightenment so far after reading the two, three hundred volumes of book
written by Grand Master? Even those who
have been named by Grand Master for “hitting the target” (attaining the state of
realization) can still fail the tests. In this regard, they are no different
from those who are unable to “hit the target”. In my opinion, spitirual practice is never
an easy task – it is something that needs to be done life after life. I have
been practicing for numerous lives, non-stop, till now.
The books can provide us with some experience
which can enrich the contents of our teaching. However, the true wisdom does
not come from the books; it comes from your own attainment; it comes from your
own mind. Someone asked a Kagyud Master, “Is this book suitable for reading?”
The master said, “Books have nothing to do with your true attainment. Don’t
read them - get them out of the way.” He denied the usefulness of the books
immediately because they will not give you the true attainment.
My view is that, reading is fine. However, you
should realize that it will not bring you the true state of attainment. You will need to
work on it. No doubt you will learn the experience of others from the books
and know the teachings are as such but after learning the teachings, you will
need to apply them in your practice. The books will not be able to set you free
because everyone has different propensities acquired from the numerous past
lives that must be treated differently; the tests are therefore different for
the different individuals. No one could find all the answers in books. Maybe
you will be able to find something close that gives you some insight - “I see, it
is so!” However, the books have nothing to do with your true attainment.
We cannot do away with the books entirely, of course. We should still read them
but we should let go of them after reading. Everyone should understand this
point. The tests will come one after another during the entire process of
practice; they will never end.
Tantra can help one attain Buddhahood in a
single lifetime. However, in reality, it is very difficult to achieve that. If
you are a reincarnated enlightened master or Buddha, you will be able to attain
Buddhahood in a single lifetime. Otherwise, one has to practice life after
life, including myself. I have been practicing rigorously for 30 to 40 years by
now; I used every opportunity in my life to practice and I blend the practice into my daily
activity – reading, meditation, recitation etc. I learn from many teachers. I
spent all my available time on practice. Today, I managed to achieve a little
attainment which is insignificant in my opinion. So, do not think that
practice is easy as just chanting a few mantras, forming a few mudras, doing some visualization
etc. It is not that easy. Practice spans across thousands of lifetimes, and it
requires a practitioner to learn humbly.
I am a “ligme” (non-sectarianism). It does not
matter whether it is Hinayana, Mahayana or Vajrayana, as long as you give the
right teachings, I will learn from you. I
only believe in one “yana” – the Buddha-yana. As long as you are
teaching the Buddha Dharma, giving the right teachings, I will learn from you. This is
my spiritual path. I hope you will practice with vigour. If you think that you
can grasp everything in this world including your kids, family, career etc.
and at the same time aspire to attain enlightenment – let me tell you this – it
is impossible! Of course there are some individuals who are able to do so but
I will not be the one for sure!
Even Grand Master has been practicing life
after life before attaining Buddhahood. I hope that you will treat spiritual
practice as the most important thing in life and let go of other worldly
concerns. If you can do this, you will stand a chance to attain Buddhahood in
this single lifetime. If you give worldly concerns the highest priority, you
will never be able to attain Buddhahood; you can only wait for Grand Master or
someone capable of bringing you to the Western Blissful Pure Land when you pass away from this life. Anyway, you will still need to do
your practice in the pure land; you might as well start doing your practice now.
Please ponder on what I have just said.
A Dharma Discourse given by Acho Rinpoch on 14
Oct 2013
