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This newsletter is curated by our Dharma friends. We wish to provide useful resources to help you learn Buddhism and apply the teachings to your life. ☸️

Buddhism 101

The Trikāya doctrine is a Mahayana Buddhist teaching on both the nature of reality and the nature of Buddhahood. The doctrine says that Buddha has three kāyas or bodies, the Dharmakāya (ultimate reality), the Saṃbhogakāya (divine incarnation of Buddha), and the Nirmāṇakāya (physical incarnation of Buddha). [source]

They relate not only to the truth in us, as three aspects of the true nature of mind, but to the truth in everything. Everything we perceive around us is nirmanakaya; its nature, light or energy is sambhogakaya; and its inherent truth, the dharmakaya. [source]

Reading

Many people often ask me a question: “If I started to have interests in Buddha Dharma and want to understand it comprehensively, which book is the best to read?”

​I would answer every time without hesitation: “Words of My Perfect Teacher and Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life.”​

---- Khenpo Sodargye

A Great Commentary on the Words of My Perfect Teacher

The Importance of The Preliminary Practice

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, a great Nyingma achiever, says in his book Journey to Enlightenment: “Do not regard the preliminaries as simple practices for beginners, or think that they are not as profound as Mahamudra and Dzogchen. The reason why preliminaries are placed at the very beginning is that they are of key importance and are the most important foundations for all practices. If we go straight to the so-called ‘main practice’ without preparing for it with the preliminaries, this will not help us at all. Because our mind is not yet ready, just like building a beautiful house on a frozen lake, it will not last at all, and will surely be destroyed as soon as the weather warms up.”

[continue reading]

The Way of the Bodhisattva*

* Also known as Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life. Texts are selected from the book of the same name.

Dharma x Life

Take Control of Your Future

[This is the transcript of a speech Khenpo Sodargy gave at the Chichiri Prison]

Whatever life throws at you, never lose your inner strength and faith. Realize that your present life is a result of what you have done in the past, and what you do now will determine your future. With a calm and relaxed mind, even if you are imprisoned, you can still feel free and live a meaningful life. Life is in your own hands. Take control of it.

Never Lose Your Inner Freedom

It is important that we never lose our “inner freedom” and self-confidence, no matter how difficult our life is. With such an inner strength, then whatever happens will not be able to tie us down, to confine us. Freedom has two aspects: inner freedom and physical freedom. Physically you are now confined in the prison; but no one can confine your mind—no one can stop you from having a happy and relaxed mind. This means that we have the freedom to decide how we will see the things that happen to us, freedom to choose which attitude we will have toward whatever happens in life. This is the greatest freedom of all. This is also the spirit of Viktor Frankl who wrote Man’s Search for Meaning, and is the most precious treasure that everyone can possess.

[continue reading]

Meditation

The Key Point of Meditation

Meditation is well known as an essential Buddhist practice that will ultimately lead to the highest attainment. There are many different types of meditation and meditation techniques; so how does one know how to practice correctly and discern the key point of meditation?

While practicing meditation, it is not enough to simply rest the mind. The key and purpose of meditation is to realize the nature of mind, whether it’s abiding calmly or generating thoughts. In the bookStages of Meditation, it says that the nature of mind is emptiness. How so? It cannot be found either in the past, present or future. Also, the nature of mind is empty like space. From this perspective, it is also devoid of intrinsic existence.

Failing to understand that the nature of mind is empty and self-liberated causes many practitioners to stray onto a wrong path. There is a frequently quoted saying by practitioners in Tibetan Buddhism: “Knowing only meditation, but not knowing liberation”. It means if we only meditate blindly, but do not know the nature of the mind is self-liberated, such meditation is no different from that of the gods in the four dhyanas, or four spheres of perception, which still does not transcend the realm of samsara. Many people are proud that their minds can abide in stillness for a long time. Others are pleased with themselves when they are always aware of their thoughts. Neither of these points to a high state of realization.

Recent updates

Youtube videos

Longchen Nyingtik Nyingma Lineage—Refuge Visualization (English Subtitles)

Social media posts

Khenpo Sodargye @Khenpo_Sodargye In true reality, all phenomena, including every sentient being, are perfectly equal and without any difference. #All #Phenomena #Equal October 14th 2022 1 Retweets 0 Likes

Bodhi Institute of Compassion and Wisdom @BICW_USA In Bodhisattvas, through their intention, All actions, virtuous and non-virtuous, Become perfect virtue because They are in control of their minds. — Four Hundred Stanzas on the Middle Way pic.twitter.com/q6vtmyRjlw September 30th 2022 0 Retweets 0 Likes

Upcoming Events

Weekly Preliminary Practice Study Group: The Words of My Perfect Teacher

• Every Sunday
• 4pm PT | 7pm ET, about 1 hour 30 minutes
• ​Zoom: 605 544 4820 (passcode: 2021), link to the class details​

Book Club - The Way of the Bodhisattva

• Tuesday, October 18, 2022
• 9am PT | 12pm ET, about 1 hour
• ​Meetup: Link to the event details​

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