Basic Program - Buddhism From A-Z (27 June 2008)

0:07 Let's Report an error in the passage at 0:07 Highlight the passage at 0:07

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0:50 just start by meditating on the breath and let's Report an error in the passage at 0:50 Highlight the passage at 0:50

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3:47 set our motivation for this evening. The Report an error in the passage at 3:47 Highlight the passage at 3:47

3:59 kindness of others, how Report an error in the passage at 3:59 Highlight the passage at 3:59

4:09 much we depend on others for our food, our Report an error in the passage at 4:09 Highlight the passage at 4:09

4:18 shelter, Report an error in the passage at 4:18 Highlight the passage at 4:18

4:29 for our roads and our parks, for our electricity and for our water, for Report an error in the passage at 4:29 Highlight the passage at 4:29

4:53 companionship and for learning. Report an error in the passage at 4:53 Highlight the passage at 4:53

5:10 We depend on others for so many things. Report an error in the passage at 5:10 Highlight the passage at 5:10

5:17 In so many different aspects of our lives. And Report an error in the passage at 5:17 Highlight the passage at 5:17

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5:57 there's only one of us and countless other beings who are all just trying to be happy. It Report an error in the passage at 5:57 Highlight the passage at 5:57

6:23 doesn't make sense to only care for and be concerned with ourselves when Report an error in the passage at 6:23 Highlight the passage at 6:23

6:34 there's so many other beings. Let's Report an error in the passage at 6:34 Highlight the passage at 6:34

6:49 try to develop a motivation to help others as much as we can. Let's Report an error in the passage at 6:49 Highlight the passage at 6:49

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8:36 do the Manjushri prayer on Report an error in the passage at 8:36 Highlight the passage at 8:36

8:49 the first page of this. Report an error in the passage at 8:49 Highlight the passage at 8:49

8:57 Obeisance to my guru and protector Manjushri, who holds to his heart a scriptural text symbolic of his seeing all things as they are, whose intelligence shines forth as the sun, unclouded by delusions or traces of ignorance, who teaches in sixty ways with the loving compassion of a father for his only son, all creatures caught in the prison of saṃsāra, confused in the darkness of their ignorance, overwhelmed by their suffering. Report an error in the passage at 8:57 Highlight the passage at 8:57

9:24 You, whose dragon thunder-like proclamation of Dharma arouses us from the stupor of our delusions and frees us from the iron chains of our karma, who wields the sword of wisdom hewing down suffering wherever its sprouts appear, clearing away the darkness of ignorance. You, whose princely body is adorned with 112 marks of a Buddha, who has completed the stages achieving the highest perfection of a bodhisattva, Who has been pure from the beginning, I bow down to you, O Manjushri. Report an error in the passage at 9:24 Highlight the passage at 9:24

9:54 Obeisance to my guru and protector Manjushri, who holds to his heart a scriptural text symbolic of his seeing all things as they are, whose intelligence shines forth as a sun unclouded by delusions or traces of ignorance, who teaches in sixty ways with the loving compassion of a father for his only son, all creatures caught in the prison of saṃsāra, Confused in the darkness of their ignorance, overwhelmed by their suffering. You whose dragon thunder-like proclamation of Dharma arouses us from the stupor of our delusions and frees us from the iron chains of our karma. Report an error in the passage at 9:54 Highlight the passage at 9:54

10:30 Who wields a sword of wisdom hewing down suffering wherever its sprouts appear, clearing away the darkness of ignorance. You whose princely body is adorned with 112 marks of a Buddha. Who has completed the stages achieving the highest perfection of a bodhisattva. Who has been pure from the beginning, I bow down to you, O Manjushri. Report an error in the passage at 10:30 Highlight the passage at 10:30

10:52 Obeisance to my guru and protector Manjushri. Who holds to his heart a scriptural text symbolic of his seeing all things as they are. Whose intelligence shines forth as a sun, unclouded by delusions or traces of ignorance. Who teaches in sixty ways with the loving compassion of a father for his only son. Report an error in the passage at 10:52 Highlight the passage at 10:52

11:11 All creatures caught in the prison of saṃsāra, confused in the darkness of their ignorance, overwhelmed by their suffering. You whose dragon thunder-like proclamation of Dharma arouses us from the stupor of our delusions and frees us from the iron chains of our karma, who wields the sword of wisdom hewing down suffering wherever its sprouts appear, clearing away the darkness of ignorance. Report an error in the passage at 11:11 Highlight the passage at 11:11

11:35 You whose princely body is adorned with 112 marks of a Buddha. Who has completed the stages achieving the highest perfection of a bodhisattva. Who has been pure from the beginning, I bow down to you, O Manjushri. Report an error in the passage at 11:35 Highlight the passage at 11:35

12:07 With the brilliance of your wisdom, O compassionate one, illuminate the darkness in closing my mind. Enlighten my intelligence and wisdom so that I may gain insight into Buddha's words and the texts that explain them. Report an error in the passage at 12:07 Highlight the passage at 12:07

12:22 And then refuge in bodhicitta on the bottom of page 7. Report an error in the passage at 12:22 Highlight the passage at 12:22

12:35 I go for refuge until I am enlightened to the Buddha, the Dharma and the Supreme Assembly. By the merits I create through listening to the Dharma, may I become a Buddha in order to benefit all sentient beings. I go for refuge until I am enlightened to the Buddha, the Dharma and the Supreme Assembly. By the merits I create through listening to the Dharma, May I become a Buddha in order to benefit all sentient beings. I go for refuge until I'm enlightened to the Buddha, the Dharma and the Supreme Assembly. Report an error in the passage at 12:35 Highlight the passage at 12:35

13:06 By the merits I create through listening to the Dharma, may I become a Buddha in order to benefit all sentient beings. Report an error in the passage at 13:06 Highlight the passage at 13:06

13:23 So, if you'll recall, we've been covering the section on the spiritual teacher, how to rely on the spiritual teacher. Report an error in the passage at 13:23 Highlight the passage at 13:23

13:54 Okay, so we're on page 26 for those of you who have a text, and I'm sorry for the people who don't have a text. Hopefully you can follow along by listening. Report an error in the passage at 13:54 Highlight the passage at 13:54

14:04 Okay, so this is a difficult topic to jump into. Well, this is a difficult topic, I think, for a lot of people, how to rely on a spiritual teacher. Report an error in the passage at 14:04 Highlight the passage at 14:04

14:19 So, so far what we've covered, to um Report an error in the passage at 14:19 Highlight the passage at 14:19

14:24 In this section is the qualities of a spiritual teacher, of a qualified spiritual teacher, and then the qualities of the student, the qualities that the student needs to have in order to properly rely on a spiritual teacher. Report an error in the passage at 14:24 Highlight the passage at 14:24

14:44 And Report an error in the passage at 14:44 Highlight the passage at 14:44

14:48 then we started the section on the actual way of relying on the spiritual teacher. And so we rely on the spiritual teacher in terms of thought and in terms of action. So we talked about how to rely on the spiritual teacher in terms of thought, in terms of the mind. So once we've checked out a guru, we've checked him out for a long time, and we become very confident in their qualities. Report an error in the passage at 14:48 Highlight the passage at 14:48

15:16 We become very confident that they have some realizations and that their main interest is... To help others, right? They're not concerned about fame for themselves or money for themselves, but their main concern or their only concern is to help others and they have the wisdom and all of that. Then we need to learn to rely on that teacher, right? In terms of thought and in terms of action. And so then in terms of thought, there are two things, right? Report an error in the passage at 15:16 Highlight the passage at 15:16

15:46 We need to learn to develop faith and respect for the teacher. By remembering their qualities. And then the second half, remembering their kindness. Developing faith and respect in terms of remembering their qualities and remembering their kindness. So once we've taken someone as a spiritual teacher, it's very important to not generate a negative mind toward that guru. Because that spiritual teacher or that guru is there only for your benefit. Report an error in the passage at 15:46 Highlight the passage at 15:46

16:21 They're just trying to help us. And if we think about it, they're the kindest beings imaginable. So we covered this last time, remembering the kindness of the spiritual teacher. Report an error in the passage at 16:21 Highlight the passage at 16:21

16:40 Anyone else who has been really kind to us in our lives has only been able to benefit us on a temporary basis. Maybe it could have helped us in a particular situation or helped us through a difficult time. But it's only a very temporary benefit. Report an error in the passage at 16:40 Highlight the passage at 16:40

17:01 But the Guru is offering us the greatest kindness, the greatest possible kindness, which is to lead us out of suffering forever. Leading us out of cyclic existence and leading us out of suffering forever. Report an error in the passage at 17:01 Highlight the passage at 17:01

17:20 And so on that basis, it's very important to not generate a negative mind toward this guru, right? Because they're offering us the greatest kindness possible. Report an error in the passage at 17:20 Highlight the passage at 17:20

17:31 And we need to really appreciate that, right? If we want to progress on the spiritual path, it's important to appreciate that and not generate a negative mind toward them. But habitually, most of us have the capacity, right, to develop a negative mind. Report an error in the passage at 17:31 Highlight the passage at 17:31

17:49 Other people who have been really helpful to us in our lives have been our parents. And most of us, at some time or another, have developed a negative mind toward our parents. But if we think about it, our parents were mostly focused on our benefit. But still we generated a negative mind toward them. Report an error in the passage at 17:49 Highlight the passage at 17:49

18:13 So we need to cut that habit if we want to progress along the spiritual path. Report an error in the passage at 18:13 Highlight the passage at 18:13

18:23 Eventually we're trying to develop a peer view toward everyone, all beings, and we start with the spiritual teacher. If we can't develop a peer view toward the spiritual teacher, then who can we develop a peer view toward? So that's where we are. So the Guru's kindness is immeasurable. It's really unfathomable. And we talked about how the Guru... Report an error in the passage at 18:23 Highlight the passage at 18:23

18:53 The Guru's just been waiting for us, right? He's been waiting for us to be ready to practice, to follow the Guru. Report an error in the passage at 18:53 Highlight the passage at 18:53

19:07 So then we're on this section of the manner of relying through actions. Report an error in the passage at 19:07 Highlight the passage at 19:07

19:17 So relying on the Guru through thought was developing the faith and respect. And then through actions is how we relate to the Guru in terms of our body and speech. Report an error in the passage at 19:17 Highlight the passage at 19:17

19:39 So the text says, in the 50 verses about the Guru, it says, What need is there to say a lot of words here? Do everything to make your Guru happy. Give up anything that does not please him. Apply yourself to that. Examine that. This was said by Vajradhara himself. Spiritual attainments follow the Guru. Aware of this. Use anything there is and make your Guru totally, utterly happy. Report an error in the passage at 19:39 Highlight the passage at 19:39

20:08 In brief, you try hard to please him and to give up what he does not like. Okay, so this is based on remembering the Guru's kindness and the qualities. Report an error in the passage at 20:08 Highlight the passage at 20:08

20:20 And then we try to please, please the Guru. Abandon those actions that would displease the Guru and then cultivate actions that please the Guru. So what are some actions that would please the Guru? Report an error in the passage at 20:20 Highlight the passage at 20:20

20:41 Where's the microphone? Yeah, okay. It's right there. Report an error in the passage at 20:41 Highlight the passage at 20:41

20:53 one of the things that... What would please the guru is by practicing what he teaches. Yeah. Reading, studying, contemplating and doing the meditations that are instructed. Report an error in the passage at 20:53 Highlight the passage at 20:53

21:10 Yeah. Yeah. That's the main one, isn't it? That's the whole purpose of the guru, right? The guru is here to encourage us to practice, right? Because the guru can't lead us to enlightenment without our efforts, our own practice. Report an error in the passage at 21:10 Highlight the passage at 21:10

21:26 What the Guru really wants us to do is to practice. Betty? That's what I was going to say. I'm glad we caught that on the microphone. Anything else? Report an error in the passage at 21:26 Highlight the passage at 21:26

21:47 Anything else? What does the Guru want us to abandon? What would displease the Guru? Report an error in the passage at 21:47 Highlight the passage at 21:47

21:59 Negative actions. Report an error in the passage at 21:59 Highlight the passage at 21:59

22:05 Like the ten non-virtues. Killing, stealing. Sexual misconduct, lying, harsh speech, divisive speech, all of those things, right? Displease the guru, breaking our vows, things like that. Okay. Report an error in the passage at 22:05 Highlight the passage at 22:05

22:32 All right, then the next section says, it's the condensed explanation of the three means of pleasing him. So there are three different ways to please the guru. All right, it's divided into three sections. There's three means of pleasing the Guru are offering material things, serving him and paying him respect with body and speech, and practicing in accordance with his advice. Report an error in the passage at 22:32 Highlight the passage at 22:32

22:59 In this regard, it says in the ornament of the sutras, through homage and pure offerings and service and practice, you should rely on a spiritual friend. Okay, so the first one is offering material things. As regards the first one, It says in the 50 verses, through things not normally given, your son and your wife, and through your life, you should forever rely on the master of your sacred commitments, needless to say, through fickle possessions as well. Report an error in the passage at 22:59 Highlight the passage at 22:59

23:30 Okay, so this is a difficult verse. Report an error in the passage at 23:30 Highlight the passage at 23:30

23:37 Basically, this is saying that one Report an error in the passage at 23:37 Highlight the passage at 23:37

23:45 way to repay the kindness of the Guru is to offer the Guru material things. And so this may be money, this may be gifts, but it's not the things that you have around in your house that you don't want anymore. Oh, well, nobody is going to eat this cottage cheese in my refrigerator. I'll give it to the guru. Or I'm cleaning out my house. Report an error in the passage at 23:45 Highlight the passage at 23:45

24:11 Oh, I don't want these things anymore. I give it to my guru. So that's not the correct way to... To pay respect to the guru. So it's best to give things that are valuable to you. Report an error in the passage at 24:11 Highlight the passage at 24:11

24:32 Because you're repaying their kindness. They're so incredibly kind. Constantly giving us teachings. Constantly repeating the teachings again and again until we get it. You know, not... Losing their patience with us, not giving up on us. Once the Guru takes us as their disciple, they've committed themselves to you until you become enlightened. Report an error in the passage at 24:32 Highlight the passage at 24:32

25:02 So it's not a fickle relationship on their part. They're giving you everything that you can basically accept right now. So recognizing that we want to give them. The best offerings that we can. Report an error in the passage at 25:02 Highlight the passage at 25:02

25:27 I really don't want to talk about this through giving your son and your wife, but Report an error in the passage at 25:27 Highlight the passage at 25:27

25:41 I think that's just an extreme example of how ultimately we should be willing to give anything to the group. If we really want to become enlightened, we should be willing to give anything to the point that we're ready. right? Report an error in the passage at 25:41 Highlight the passage at 25:41

26:12 So the advice that I've heard about giving is give until it hurts just a little. I've probably told you this before. If you just give, okay, I'll give the guru $5. If it doesn't hurt at all, then we're not really giving what we can. Report an error in the passage at 26:12 Highlight the passage at 26:12

26:36 But then if we give too much, dollars you know Report an error in the passage at 26:36 Highlight the passage at 26:36

26:40 Then we may regret it later. Like sometimes you hear of people giving a house to Lama Zopa Rinpoche or land and then later on kind of regretting it and wanting them back. And that's not good karma that you're creating, right? If you give something and then you want it back later or you give something and you regret giving it. Report an error in the passage at 26:40 Highlight the passage at 26:40

27:08 It's better if you had not given it in the first place. You're really creating some strong negative karma if you give more than you're really able to. So it's good to give until it hurts just a little. So if you can feel really happy giving $50 and it hurts to give $60, then it's good to maybe just give $60. Report an error in the passage at 27:08 Highlight the passage at 27:08

27:33 And that's ultimately for our benefit. Because the guru isn't looking for material offerings. The guru doesn't need anything. But the more that we can give, the more we're giving up our miserliness. The more we're giving up our need to hang on to our comfort, our security. The more we're giving up our self-cherishing mind. Report an error in the passage at 27:33 Highlight the passage at 27:33

28:02 When we can give, we're kind of loosening that ego. And kind of letting go of that and becoming more spacious and then offering. So the practice of offering and giving is such a big practice in the Mahāyāna. And that's because that's loosening that up. And the greatest object of generosity is the Guru. Because the Guru is the kindest of everyone. Report an error in the passage at 28:02 Highlight the passage at 28:02

28:31 So karmically... Okay. Report an error in the passage at 28:31 Highlight the passage at 28:31

28:34 We've talked about that before, right? So karmically, we create much more positive merit by giving to someone who's been extremely kind to us than just an ordinary being who hasn't done anything for us. So the guru is the highest, is the greatest karma that we can create by giving to the guru. It's the most positive form of giving that we can accumulate. Report an error in the passage at 28:34 Highlight the passage at 28:34

29:12 And then the text says, giving that amounts to always, offering gifts to all the Buddhas, offering that accumulates merit, which turns into the highest attainments. Report an error in the passage at 29:12 Highlight the passage at 29:12

29:25 So the guru is a representative of all the Buddhas. So the Buddhas are manifesting as gurus to help us. Because the Buddhas can't help us directly. They need to manifest in a form that we can see. And that form is really the gurus. So giving to the gurus is like giving to all the Buddhas. And the guru is actually even more kind than the Buddhas. Report an error in the passage at 29:25 Highlight the passage at 29:25

29:52 Because the gurus are actually here teaching us. The gurus are putting up with us from day to day. Report an error in the passage at 29:52 Highlight the passage at 29:52

30:06 So the gurus are the kindest of them all. Report an error in the passage at 30:06 Highlight the passage at 30:06

30:14 Any questions on that so far? Offering material things. Yeah, Anna. Report an error in the passage at 30:14 Highlight the passage at 30:14

30:32 I'm not sure how this is related, but I've noticed that when I've been in temples and what have you, especially in the East, people will come and they will give money to every statue and almost, you know, maybe even relics in the temples. Report an error in the passage at 30:32 Highlight the passage at 30:32

30:53 I mean, that's giving. It's not the personal human guru. Is it because it's a manifestation of the Guru, these holy objects? Yeah, I mean, it's good to give to statues and all of that as well. Report an error in the passage at 30:53 Highlight the passage at 30:53

31:16 But giving to the Guru is even more important. We're creating even more merit to give to the Guru because the Guru is actually benefiting us directly. Report an error in the passage at 31:16 Highlight the passage at 31:16

31:28 In some of those cultures in the East, just making offerings to the altar is just very ingrained in them. It's very ingrained in the culture. People are very conscious of creating merit so that they can have wealth in a future life. And so that's often what it's about. Report an error in the passage at 31:28 Highlight the passage at 31:28

31:51 Yeah, that's all I can say about that. I don't know that much about that. Report an error in the passage at 31:51 Highlight the passage at 31:51

32:00 All right. Report an error in the passage at 32:00 Highlight the passage at 32:00

32:05 So personally, I think... I think that it's nice to give money to the guru because all of the qualified spiritual teachers I know have many projects. They have many projects that they're trying to help others, basically. Geshe Dagpa is feeding all of his monks at Sarah, taking care of all his monks at Sarah. Report an error in the passage at 32:05 Highlight the passage at 32:05

32:29 You can give him a box of incense. Report an error in the passage at 32:29 Highlight the passage at 32:29

32:34 But most of the time, the guru is to turn around and give that away to somebody else. And I remember I used to go see Kirti Sentra Rinpoche, you know, and you'd give him something, and then you'd see, you know, five minutes later, you'd see somebody leaving his room with it. You know, they're just, you know, they don't need all of that stuff, and it's wonderful to give it, right? But if you want to give something that they really need... Report an error in the passage at 32:34 Highlight the passage at 32:34

33:03 I find it's really nice to give them money for their projects. They personally don't need money for themselves. What do they buy for themselves? They don't go shopping. They wear robes and they eat food. That's about all they need. Their whole purpose is to benefit others. Report an error in the passage at 33:03 Highlight the passage at 33:03

33:27 Unfortunately, they need money to help. right? But, um, Report an error in the passage at 33:27 Highlight the passage at 33:27

33:25 right? And so Report an error in the passage at 33:25 Highlight the passage at 33:25

33:31 To feed monks and nuns, to build stupas and statues, just to travel around and teach. So that's just one idea. Report an error in the passage at 33:31 Highlight the passage at 33:31

33:50 Did I see a hand before we move on? Okay. And then the second way of relying on the spiritual teacher in terms of thought, I mean in terms of action, is serving and paying respect with body and speech. Report an error in the passage at 33:50 Highlight the passage at 33:50

34:11 The second one involves bathing him, anointing him, massaging him, wrapping him up, cleaning him, nursing him when he is ill, etc., and talking about his positive qualities. So these are just some examples of ways that we can serve the guru. Also, we can cook for the guru. We can work for their projects. I think it's a really nice way of serving the guru. Report an error in the passage at 34:11 Highlight the passage at 34:11

34:44 You know, work for the FPMT or work for, you know, if Geshe-la had a particular project that he wanted to, let's say, publish a book or something, it's very good to offer to work for that. Report an error in the passage at 34:44 Highlight the passage at 34:44

34:58 This good friend of mine in Italy, she was so devoted to our guru in Italy, and she basically devoted her, she's devoted her, you know, the last 20 years to... Report an error in the passage at 34:58 Highlight the passage at 34:58

35:11 the Guru's project. So he wanted to teach the seven-year master's program, and so she organized that thing and underwent a lot of hardships. Report an error in the passage at 35:11 Highlight the passage at 35:11

35:22 And then she's been transcribed. She's transcribed every single one of his teachings, you know, eight classes a week for, you know, seven years. Report an error in the passage at 35:22 Highlight the passage at 35:22

35:34 she... She was in charge of making sure that those... Teachings were published, so a number of books are being published by the guru. And so this is her way of offering service to the guru. Report an error in the passage at 35:34 Highlight the passage at 35:34

35:50 And there's so many people offering service to Lama Zopa Rinpoche around the world in his centers and things. So there are a lot of different ways we can serve the guru in terms of action. Report an error in the passage at 35:50 Highlight the passage at 35:50

36:12 And it can be little things, too, if the guru has a computer question. Or the Guru wants to get on email. Help them. It's a wonderful thing to do. It just feels incredible to be able to do something for the Guru that they actually need. Report an error in the passage at 36:12 Highlight the passage at 36:12

36:37 It's just the greatest sense of joy. Report an error in the passage at 36:37 Highlight the passage at 36:37

36:43 And then the next section is practicing in accordance with his advice. So the third most important way that we can please the Guru. The third one consists in practicing without going against the instructions, this being the main one. In the Jataka stories it says, the offering to be made in return for his help is practiced in accordance with his instructions. Report an error in the passage at 36:43 Highlight the passage at 36:43

37:10 So this is pretty self-explanatory, really to practice sincerely, in accordance with the Dharma, in accordance with the Guru's advice. In accordance with the Guru's teachings. Report an error in the passage at 37:10 Highlight the passage at 37:10

37:30 As we said, this is the whole purpose of the Guru teaching. The whole purpose of the Guru being here at all is to help us practice, to help us change our minds, to transform our minds, to work, to become more and more positive. Report an error in the passage at 37:30 Highlight the passage at 37:30

37:48 And Report an error in the passage at 37:48 Highlight the passage at 37:48

37:52 then to take, I mean, it's very important to take everything that the Guru says seriously. finishings. Um. Report an error in the passage at 37:52 Highlight the passage at 37:52

· · · silence, 1 minute

38:00 so um So if the guru seems to be making an offhand remark, don't take it as just an offhand remark. You know, the guru has gone beyond frivolous speech. The guru has completely tamed their minds. And so they don't say anything without a reason. So if the guru says, oh, maybe nice to go see your mother when she's sick, you know, don't think, you know, it's important to take that seriously. Report an error in the passage at 38:00 Highlight the passage at 38:00

38:31 It's his advice, right? Maybe it's good to go see your mother. It would be very good to go see your mother when she's sick. Report an error in the passage at 38:31 Highlight the passage at 38:31

38:45 And my Lama in Italy would always put things in that way. Maybe it's good if you do this practice. And normally if people say that, you think, oh well, maybe I'll do it, maybe I won't. Report an error in the passage at 38:45 Highlight the passage at 38:45

39:01 So we need to listen to the Guru in a different way than we listen to other people, right? Kind of really pay attention to what they're saying. Report an error in the passage at 39:01 Highlight the passage at 39:01

39:13 So if we ask the Guru's advice, it's very important to follow it. It's not just, oh, I just want your opinion on what I should do and I'll do it if I feel like it and I won't if I don't, right? Because that's the way we are with other people, right? What do you think I should do? Oh, okay, well that's nice to know. I'm going to go do whatever I feel like anyway. But with the guru, we're creating a lot of obstructions if we do it that way. Report an error in the passage at 39:13 Highlight the passage at 39:13

39:47 Basically, if we ask them for advice and we don't take it, we don't do it, and we don't talk to them about it, or if we just decide not to do it, then we're creating obstacles for ourselves to have a guru in the future. Because we're not respecting them. We're not respecting their advice. So by following their advice, we're creating the karma to have a qualified guru in the future. Report an error in the passage at 39:47 Highlight the passage at 39:47

40:14 If we ignore their advice or go against their advice, then it makes sense. They're not going to be around in the future. We're not creating the causes to keep them around. Report an error in the passage at 40:14 Highlight the passage at 40:14

40:27 And it said that the gurus, you know, when the gurus get sick, When the gurus get sick, that is our karma that's ripening and it's from not keeping our commitments to our gurus. When the gurus get sick, it's because of our not keeping our commitments to the guru. Report an error in the passage at 40:27 Highlight the passage at 40:27

40:58 So it's not just hurting ourselves by not following their advice. It may shorten the guru's life Report an error in the passage at 40:58 Highlight the passage at 40:58

41:12 because the guru is... Here in accordance with our karma. It's an appearance. It's a karmic appearance. So if we're creating negative karma by not following their advice, not keeping with the vows and commitments we've taken from the guru, then we're shortening their lives. So Report an error in the passage at 41:12 Highlight the passage at 41:12

41:52 if the guru does ask us to do something that we really don't feel like we can do, let's say they ask us, let's say the guru asks us to go, Move to Mongolia and go work in the center there. Well, first it's good to seriously contemplate whether or not you think you can do that. Report an error in the passage at 41:52 Highlight the passage at 41:52

42:13 But if you really think about it and you decide, no, I just don't feel like I'm ready to do that yet, then it's fine to go to the guru and say, I'm very sorry, but I just don't feel ready to do that. And just explain that and that's fine. But it's important to not just ignore their advice and never get back to them. So just go back and say, you know, I'm sorry, I can't do this. Report an error in the passage at 42:13 Highlight the passage at 42:13

42:44 You know, and tell them in a respectful way, right? Not, there's no way I could ever possibly do that, right? That's also creating obscurations for us. Report an error in the passage at 42:44 Highlight the passage at 42:44

42:58 Okay. Report an error in the passage at 42:58 Highlight the passage at 42:58

43:02 And then also, also if the Guru does ask us to do something that doesn't make sense to us in terms of... Well, I shouldn't say it doesn't make sense, but it seems to be against the Dharma. You know, there are stories in the past of gurus who asked their disciples, you know, oh, well, go steal. You know, go steal some money. You know, you're a monk and you don't have any money and you're working for sentient beings. So it's okay to go steal food. And the guru is basically testing. Report an error in the passage at 43:02 Highlight the passage at 43:02

43:37 Right? Testing the disciples to see if they're just going to do whatever the guru says. Report an error in the passage at 43:37 Highlight the passage at 43:37

43:44 And so there's a story in which all the disciples, they did go steal except one. And one said, you know, this is, you know, I'm sorry, I just, you know, I can't do, I can't do this. This goes against the teachings. I can't steal. I would rather starve than steal. And then the guru was so happy, right? Because that was... Report an error in the passage at 43:44 Highlight the passage at 43:44

44:06 That was the correct answer, right? So we talked about how one of the qualities of a disciple, like a suitable disciple, is intelligence. Report an error in the passage at 44:06 Highlight the passage at 44:06

44:18 Intelligence, we don't just follow whatever the guru says blindly. We use our intelligence to see if the advice is in accordance with the Dharma. Report an error in the passage at 44:18 Highlight the passage at 44:18

44:28 So we need to use our intelligence. So relying on the spiritual teacher, relying on the guru, doesn't mean that we give up. Examining their words. We still need to use our own discernment, discriminating wisdom. Report an error in the passage at 44:28 Highlight the passage at 44:28

44:55 Sometimes I notice that people make the assumption, because we're supposed to try to see the guru as a Buddha. And so then sometimes people just assume that the guru can read their mind. And then they don't go and explain anything to the guru because they just assume. That the guru can read their mind. And that's a mistake too, right? If we're going to go ask for advice, it's important to explain the particular situation and then ask the advice and not just assume they understand the situation. Report an error in the passage at 44:55 Highlight the passage at 44:55

45:36 And one of the obstacles would be for us, if we don't explain the situation and they give a particular piece of advice, we might have doubt. Like, well, maybe they didn't really understand. Report an error in the passage at 45:36 Highlight the passage at 45:36

45:50 And then if we have doubt, then we don't really follow the advice. So it's important to state things explicitly to the guru and not just assume that they know it all. They may, but they may not. Report an error in the passage at 45:50 Highlight the passage at 45:50

46:15 The next section is the benefits of reliance. Report an error in the passage at 46:15 Highlight the passage at 46:15

46:25 It says in the scriptures that you will approach the state of a Buddha, that the Jinas will rejoice. rejoice, you will not be deprived of virtuous spiritual friends, you will not fall to the lower realms, and that you will not easily succumb to bad karma and afflictions. As you do not transgress the conduct of bodhisattvas, remaining mindful of it, your accumulation of good qualities will grow higher and higher, and all your temporary and ultimate goals will be accomplished. Report an error in the passage at 46:25 Highlight the passage at 46:25

46:57 So it's good to meditate on these again and again. The benefits of relying on a guru. Because most of us have resistance to relying on a guru. To giving up some control over our lives. And actually surrendering at least a little bit to the guru. So it's important to meditate on the benefits of relying on a guru again and again. Report an error in the passage at 46:57 Highlight the passage at 46:57

47:29 Until we're really convinced, then we want to, right? Otherwise it's something that we should do, right? It's like the big heavy should in our minds and we don't feel good about doing it. But if we really understand the benefits of relying on the Guru, then it can be a very joyful practice. Whenever we understand the benefits of doing anything, then we do it and we feel glad about doing it. Report an error in the passage at 47:29 Highlight the passage at 47:29

47:59 If it's something that somebody tells us we have to do, then there's not much joy in it. So it's good to meditate on these again and again. So the first one is, the benefit is getting closer to Buddhahood. Report an error in the passage at 47:59 Highlight the passage at 47:59

48:18 So if we rely correctly on a guru, we are developing a stronger and stronger mind. Really seeing the positive qualities of the Guru and giving up negative thoughts. Our mind becomes very vigilant, very mindful and notices when a negative thought starts to arise against the Guru and we cut it off immediately because we know, oh my gosh, this is going to create all sorts of problems for me in the future. Report an error in the passage at 48:18 Highlight the passage at 48:18

49:00 So we learn to just cut off negative thoughts as soon as they arise or even before they arise. So Report an error in the passage at 49:00 Highlight the passage at 49:00

49:13 our mindfulness increases, our vigilance increases. We really get to know the mind when we're really relying well on the guru. Report an error in the passage at 49:13 Highlight the passage at 49:13

49:35 Then we're not overcome by mental afflictions because we understand we're starting to develop some control over our minds. Report an error in the passage at 49:35 Highlight the passage at 49:35

49:48 Being able to focus on positive qualities and let go of our... Our conceptions of faults. And so we're really developing that strength of mind. Report an error in the passage at 49:48 Highlight the passage at 49:48

50:07 So that will really help us to see other beings purely as well. So that will help in our relationships too. When somebody starts to irritate us, instead of the mind just zeroing in on that irritating quality, which is what we normally do. We can notice that and balance out the perspective and remember, oh, well, they have many good qualities too and not become overwhelmed by our irritation. Report an error in the passage at 50:07 Highlight the passage at 50:07

50:45 So it can help us in all different aspects of our lives, learning to really focus on the positive qualities. Report an error in the passage at 50:45 Highlight the passage at 50:45

50:56 And then relying on a guru, it helps us give up our own agenda. Normally, In our day-to-day life, we're just going along and doing, I mean our ego is controlling most of our lives, right? We're going along and doing, oh I want to go to the store and go buy these things and I want to go eat this food and I want to do this and I want to go spend this money and I want to go here and I want to go there. Report an error in the passage at 50:56 Highlight the passage at 50:56

51:29 But when we really learn to rely on the Guru, you know, and serve the Guru. We're solely giving up our agendas. The guru asks us, or the guru comes to town and teaches until 3 in the morning. Report an error in the passage at 51:29 Highlight the passage at 51:29

51:49 We have the idea that we need to go to bed by 11. But the guru comes and gives the teaching until 3 in the morning. And if we really want that teaching, then we give up our agenda. We give up our need to go to bed at 11. Report an error in the passage at 51:49 Highlight the passage at 51:49

52:06 Or if you work for the guru, you're constantly being asked to do things that you wouldn't normally do. Report an error in the passage at 52:06 Highlight the passage at 52:06

52:18 He asks you to do something at midnight that needs to be done the next morning. Normally you wouldn't do anything like that, but when it's the guru, you do your best. And so slowly, slowly we're able to let go of... Our preferences, our ideas of what we want to do and really just offer to the guru. Report an error in the passage at 52:18 Highlight the passage at 52:18

52:50 It was like, I might have told this story before, I mean recently in May, Chodron Rinpoche was giving a series of teachings here and then Lama Zopa Rinpoche told us you need to throw a long life puja for Chodron Rinpoche. In two weeks. And normally a long life puja takes months to prepare for all of these incredible offerings that you give to Lama. Report an error in the passage at 52:50 Highlight the passage at 52:50

53:19 And the first thought was, oh, that's not possible. Our first thought was, how are we going to do that? That's not possible. But then you just let go of that and you just do your best. And you do it and then you feel so happy for doing it. And of course it turns out fine. Report an error in the passage at 53:19 Highlight the passage at 53:19

53:41 So you give up your agenda, you start giving up your negative thoughts, so you're becoming closer and closer to Buddhahood, right? Slowly, slowly you're getting closer and closer to Buddhahood through relying on the spiritual teacher. Report an error in the passage at 53:41 Highlight the passage at 53:41

54:05 And then Gishisopa says, your spiritual teacher guides you along every step of the path. He or she points out every turn in the path. And every obstacle to emancipation you may encounter. With each obstacle you overcome, you are that much closer to enlightenment. Without your spiritual teacher, you cannot complete the path. So it all depends on your teacher. Report an error in the passage at 54:05 Highlight the passage at 54:05

54:35 So the guru is pointing out to us what we need. Report an error in the passage at 54:35 Highlight the passage at 54:35

54:42 They're pointing out to us where we're stuck. They're showing us our mental afflictions that we need to work through. Report an error in the passage at 54:42 Highlight the passage at 54:42

54:53 I know this one nun who is this incredibly serious practitioner and she's been in solitary retreat for something like 15 years. She was this incredible scholar, professor at a university, a neuroscientist, this incredible cerebral person who's very devoted to the Dharma, very devoted to her gurus. And at one point... Report an error in the passage at 54:53 Highlight the passage at 54:53

55:23 One of her gurus pulled her out of retreat to follow around an Indian woman as her servant for a few weeks. And this was an incredibly difficult practice for this woman, because of course she's never done anything like that. She was used to being the professor, the boss, the scientist, right? But she followed around an Indian woman for three weeks. Report an error in the passage at 55:23 Highlight the passage at 55:23

55:52 You know, and fetched her water for her and cleaned her clothes for her and things like that, right? And why? You know, Report an error in the passage at 55:52 Highlight the passage at 55:52

56:06 to... Report an error in the passage at 56:06 Highlight the passage at 56:06

56:13 All right, so this type of thing, right? I mean, maybe to show her humility or, you know, when you're in solitary retreat, there's a lot of situations you don't encounter, right? So the Guru helps you encounter those situations you need to let go of certain mental afflictions. Report an error in the passage at 56:13 Highlight the passage at 56:13

56:36 So that's kind of an extreme example, but that's the type of a thing that the guru does. Report an error in the passage at 56:36 Highlight the passage at 56:36

56:55 So the second benefit of relying on a guru properly is you please all the Buddhas. So once again, the guru is a manifestation of the Buddhas, a representation of the Buddhas. So relying properly on the guru is basically relying on all the Buddhas and pleases the Buddhas. Report an error in the passage at 56:55 Highlight the passage at 56:55

57:24 Another benefit is you will not lack a proper guru in future lives. So this one I find is extremely powerful for me. If you rely on a spiritual teacher correctly in this life, you're creating the causes to have a spiritual teacher again and again and again in future lives. Report an error in the passage at 57:24 Highlight the passage at 57:24

57:50 And I think about in this life before I found the Dharma, before I had found any spiritual teachers, And how you're searching, you know, all your life you're searching for something and you really feel like you're missing something. And then you meet the teachers and the teaching and it's, you know, it brings your life meaning again, right? Report an error in the passage at 57:50 Highlight the passage at 57:50

58:19 And so if we're not, if we rely improperly on the guru, basically recreating the causes to not have the teacher in the future lives. Report an error in the passage at 58:19 Highlight the passage at 58:19

58:46 And sometimes you see people who are surrounded by the Dharma, who are surrounded by wonderful teachers, and they just don't recognize it. It's a karmic obscuration. It's like when I try to get my brother to maybe go see His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He's in town, he's teaching across the street where you work. Report an error in the passage at 58:46 Highlight the passage at 58:46

59:17 Maybe you could pop in and just check him out. Forget it. Forget it. He's right there. It would be so easy, but he doesn't have the karma. And that's so sad. That's so sad. And that's the kind of karma we can create. We could be surrounded by these gurus and not even see. Not see that they're anything special. Not see the importance of going to meet them. Not see the importance of going to teachings. Just see them as an ordinary being. Report an error in the passage at 59:17 Highlight the passage at 59:17

59:57 And Report an error in the passage at 59:57 Highlight the passage at 59:57

1:00:08 then Goshi Sopa says, when you trust your gurus, take what they say seriously and do everything they advise with great effort throughout your life. Report an error in the passage at 1:00:08 Highlight the passage at 1:00:08

1:00:21 And then you will naturally develop a strong relationship with them. Then at the same time you also plant the seeds to experience the same kind of circumstances in the future. Report an error in the passage at 1:00:21 Highlight the passage at 1:00:21

1:00:41 So how are we doing on this so far? Does that make sense? Do we have resistance to it? This is pretty hard to accept if we're... Report an error in the passage at 1:00:41 Highlight the passage at 1:00:41

1:01:06 The thing, you know, I've been studying for a little while now, but for me I'm finding out it's all inside of my own mind anyway. Even the guru is inside of my own mind. And the thing is that by honoring Him, I benefit myself. It's sort of like a selfish form of benefit kind of a thing. By giving out, it comes back. But the thing is that, I don't know, it's hard to explain, but I truly realize, especially after taking the Highest Yoga Tantra, that following the advice, doing the practices, doing the vows and stuff like that, the benefits do come. Report an error in the passage at 1:01:06 Highlight the passage at 1:01:06

1:01:47 And it came via that path, which was the guru showing me the path, but really in one level it was my mind allowing it to take place. You know, creating the karma by benefiting the guru, all of that. You know, it's just all of these things fell into place. It's not just one straight shot kind of a thing. It's back and forth and back and forth and back and forth and back and forth. Report an error in the passage at 1:01:47 Highlight the passage at 1:01:47

1:02:10 You know, it's just like not all of a sudden I woke up and then, aha, this is going to happen. It doesn't work that way. It really doesn't, but slowly, slowly. I don't know if it made any sense or not. Ultimately, the benefit of relying on the Guru is ours. The Guru doesn't need anything from us. The Guru is only here to help us get enlightened. So to rely on the Guru, to make offerings to the Guru, to serve the Guru, we get so much benefit. Report an error in the passage at 1:02:10 Highlight the passage at 1:02:10

1:02:47 We get so much benefit. Report an error in the passage at 1:02:47 Highlight the passage at 1:02:47

1:02:52 And in terms of happiness, and also in terms of suffering sometimes, because we're purifying. We purify a lot of negative karma when we serve the Guru, and so that can ripen in the source of suffering as well. But we'll get to that. Report an error in the passage at 1:02:52 Highlight the passage at 1:02:52

1:03:18 When I first walked in the door, I was scared, poopless of Geshe-la. You know, I mean, I really was. I mean, I didn't even want to go near. I thought, oh my God, no, I can't. You know, I just thought he's going to read everything about me. He's going to know all my bad traits, everything, blah, blah, blah. Report an error in the passage at 1:03:18 Highlight the passage at 1:03:18

1:03:32 But obviously over the years that is not the case in the sense that, you know, he may know all my bad qualities. I don't know. But the thing is, is that I truly know that he cares a great deal about me and that he accepts me for who I am and that I can help him. He allows me to help him. Which is a wonderful experience to have. I've had the privilege of cleaning Geshe-la's room when Chodron Rinpoche comes and stuff. And just the honor that I feel. Report an error in the passage at 1:03:32 Highlight the passage at 1:03:32

1:03:59 Cleaning his toilet is an amazing thing to have. This sounds kind of kooky, but it isn't. Honestly, it isn't. I feel very honored. Almost revered. I feel very much I get down on my hands and knees with my little trusty toothbrush and I'm getting in all those nooks and crannies. And it's a good feeling to have. Report an error in the passage at 1:03:59 Highlight the passage at 1:03:59

1:04:20 It really is. It really is. And then you reap the benefits when you go and do something like the Tantra Yoga. Yeah, exactly. All of that is helping to purify our negative karma so that we can start receiving. Yeah, being ready, you know, it will help you become ready for Haas Yoga Tantra or be ready for a specific kind of teaching. That doesn't mean you're not going to be scared shitless because I am and I was and I will be. Report an error in the passage at 1:04:20 Highlight the passage at 1:04:20

1:04:50 Yeah. Yeah, and the Guru asks us to do things so that we can create the merit, right? Yeah. So he's being really kind by letting you clean his toilet, right? All Report an error in the passage at 1:04:50 Highlight the passage at 1:04:50

1:05:10 right, well, let's take a break. Report an error in the passage at 1:05:10 Highlight the passage at 1:05:10

1:05:17 I don't know if all of you know, but Peter and Louis from this class, they got married today, which is why they're not here. Report an error in the passage at 1:05:17 Highlight the passage at 1:05:17

1:05:28 But next week we'll have a cake for them. Anyway, but how incredible. They've been together 20 years, and they were married like four or five years ago, and it was revoked. Report an error in the passage at 1:05:28 Highlight the passage at 1:05:28

1:05:48 And so now they had the chance again and so they got married today. Report an error in the passage at 1:05:48 Highlight the passage at 1:05:48

· · · silence, 1 minute

1:07:18 It doesn't matter what you just say. Just things like that, you know, they've got people that we don't even know about. That goes with, like, the state calls. Thank you. Report an error in the passage at 1:07:18 Highlight the passage at 1:07:18

1:07:34 We'll see you at the end. So a lot of it rings true. It is pointing at a place that I have struggled with. How long is the whole course? Oh, dearly. Oh, in the back of the room. That's the answer. Report an error in the passage at 1:07:34 Highlight the passage at 1:07:34

1:08:09 This is one of the questions. It's the very beginning of the attack. It's kind of going through very extensively. It's funny that the very people are against the very state of the world. So they're living in civil rights. So This this is is the trying trial. tonight, too. Thank you. I'm a long-sum copper. A long-sum copper. I think perhaps the greatest. I'd like to do it all day. Report an error in the passage at 1:08:09 Highlight the passage at 1:08:09

1:08:40 know. I don't know. This is a particular tradition. He lived in the 1400s, and he wrote very prolifically. And he wrote this book. So is this whole thing, his text? It's not just the verses. The verses go from the scriptures. So the verses are his text, the outlines were added by somebody else. Report an error in the passage at 1:08:40 Highlight the passage at 1:08:40

1:09:06 Thank you. Report an error in the passage at 1:09:06 Highlight the passage at 1:09:06

1:09:24 Thank you. Report an error in the passage at 1:09:24 Highlight the passage at 1:09:24

1:09:36 Okay, can you give me a one-time request? Yeah. Wow. Right? Yeah, really. Thank you. Report an error in the passage at 1:09:36 Highlight the passage at 1:09:36

1:10:11 I'm going to do it every time, and I'm going to play as a piece. Me as well. That's really good. I'm going to do my part. That's a great place. Yeah. Thank you. Report an error in the passage at 1:10:11 Highlight the passage at 1:10:11

1:10:27 I'm not familiar with what we're talking about. Thank you. Report an error in the passage at 1:10:27 Highlight the passage at 1:10:27

1:11:06 But there are other other practices for the world. Report an error in the passage at 1:11:06 Highlight the passage at 1:11:06

1:11:13 I don't know what the topic is this week, but that changes every week. Oh, yeah. So that's kind of a nice way to do it. Okay. He does his teaching. Report an error in the passage at 1:11:13 Highlight the passage at 1:11:13

1:11:27 I'm back tomorrow again. Report an error in the passage at 1:11:27 Highlight the passage at 1:11:27

1:11:45 we walked into it that was a place for but it was great yeah Thank you. Thank you. Report an error in the passage at 1:11:45 Highlight the passage at 1:11:45

1:12:23 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Report an error in the passage at 1:12:23 Highlight the passage at 1:12:23

1:12:25 to take classes that I'm I'll just work this out. Right, yeah. About the... Report an error in the passage at 1:12:25 Highlight the passage at 1:12:25

1:12:42 you know, that's how I started coming to women on 16 years ago, I could be people like it was the first one of you, which time Which day is my program. It just takes forever. So. Report an error in the passage at 1:12:42 Highlight the passage at 1:12:42

1:13:03 a lot of people. It's a lot of people. It's a lot of people. Report an error in the passage at 1:13:03 Highlight the passage at 1:13:03

1:13:22 here. Report an error in the passage at 1:13:22 Highlight the passage at 1:13:22

1:13:31 Oh, I remember. Okay, nice to meet you. Alright, it's nice to meet you. So we were just speaking to Jane, and I was asking in regards to the manual, and if we decide to carry on the class, how else can we? Report an error in the passage at 1:13:31 Highlight the passage at 1:13:31

1:13:47 Yes, so I will, I think that all of the copies that we made have been, are gone now, but we can always have some more made. Report an error in the passage at 1:13:47 Highlight the passage at 1:13:47

1:13:58 I can definitely email the text to you and you can print it yourself or if you want a bound copy then we can from page to half. Report an error in the passage at 1:13:58 Highlight the passage at 1:13:58

1:14:09 something in the media that looked similar. Yeah, a lot of them look the same. I didn't think that they're right. Yeah, so this one is the particular one, the middle length Lama. Okay. So what do you think is this, I mean this is kind of a hard topic to talk to. It's not? No, we haven't been practicing Buddhist for, well actually, with you quite a long time. I'm going on my eighth year, it's, as I was telling you earlier, you're involved with the Kadabah tradition, who needs to be taught. Report an error in the passage at 1:14:09 Highlight the passage at 1:14:09

1:14:49 Yes, the prayers are the same, but different. It's more, you know, pay attention, you know, I mean, it's the same, but different. A good way to kind of be at the same level. Report an error in the passage at 1:14:49 Highlight the passage at 1:14:49

1:15:09 Actually, I just felt like, I mean, we've only learned the real basics. I think we're just like a step ahead of that. Report an error in the passage at 1:15:09 Highlight the passage at 1:15:09

1:15:20 I was totally following what you were saying. I was just like, ready? Okay, then. Go ahead. The pace is a little slow. Yeah, so you, so... know Report an error in the passage at 1:15:20 Highlight the passage at 1:15:20

1:15:30 Let's go. Report an error in the passage at 1:15:30 Highlight the passage at 1:15:30

1:15:37 Did you study with NKT? Is that where you were? Yes. Okay, all right. And so you went through the basic? I was in basic. She started the foundation program. Report an error in the passage at 1:15:37 Highlight the passage at 1:15:37

1:15:51 Have you also, well, you know, I mean, this might be the appropriate class for you if you've gone through the, you know, all the basic lamrim stuff, right? And so this is getting the lamrim in more detail. That's great. Yeah, because the Discovering Buddhism series that they have on Thursday, that might be too much of a beginner. Because that's more, well you went through Discovering Buddhism. Report an error in the passage at 1:15:51 Highlight the passage at 1:15:51

1:16:16 It's more designed for people who haven't had Lamrim before. Would you say that, the Discovering Buddhism? Well I started it before I had the Lamrim, yeah. So it's pretty basic. But I find it complements this class for me. And some people go to both. So Choki teaches on Thursday nights. And she's a wonderful teacher. And so you might want to check that out too and just see if you want to do that instead of this. Or both or whatever. Report an error in the passage at 1:16:16 Highlight the passage at 1:16:16

1:16:36 So, we need to go to the description, but there's an end with this Report an error in the passage at 1:16:36 Highlight the passage at 1:16:36

1:16:57 So you say Sunday's a great day, though, to come? Well, I thought Sunday would be a nice time to come and eat Geshe-la. Yeah, and this Sunday in particular, because this is the last Sunday he's teaching for a while, and then he's going away for the month of July and part of August. Report an error in the passage at 1:16:57 Highlight the passage at 1:16:57

1:17:21 Such a qualified man, so stable and so kind. Yeah, I know. Report an error in the passage at 1:17:21 Highlight the passage at 1:17:21

1:17:16 so people can arrange them. Yeah. Report an error in the passage at 1:17:16 Highlight the passage at 1:17:16

1:17:35 I met him again a few years later and he remembered me. So I felt really honored. nerd. Report an error in the passage at 1:17:35 Highlight the passage at 1:17:35

1:17:59 Well, you got a big blessing. And I will never forget that. You guys live in San Francisco? Report an error in the passage at 1:17:59 Highlight the passage at 1:17:59

1:18:17 It's all lost in the smoke. Report an error in the passage at 1:18:17 Highlight the passage at 1:18:17

1:18:23 Oh, well, actually just everywhere, yeah. never died, never. Report an error in the passage at 1:18:23 Highlight the passage at 1:18:23

1:18:14 The other side. Over there. Report an error in the passage at 1:18:14 Highlight the passage at 1:18:14

1:18:21 Oh, there's a lot of fire up there. Report an error in the passage at 1:18:21 Highlight the passage at 1:18:21

1:18:39 You're welcome. meet you. Report an error in the passage at 1:18:39 Highlight the passage at 1:18:39

1:18:48 It's a very Report an error in the passage at 1:18:48 Highlight the passage at 1:18:48

1:18:57 pretty skirt. Oh, thank you. That's cute. Yeah, that's cute. Very cute. I Report an error in the passage at 1:18:57 Highlight the passage at 1:18:57

· · · silence, 1 minute

1:20:15 forgot to say something about the first benefit, the benefit of relying on the guru, of getting closer to Buddhahood. So the teachings say that relying properly on a spiritual teacher is the fastest, most effective method for attaining Buddhahood. And a qualified teacher can lead us to Buddhahood even in one lifetime, if we practice high yoga tantra. Report an error in the passage at 1:20:15 Highlight the passage at 1:20:15

1:20:46 right? So, So I just had a story about this, it says the guru points out the obstacles on the path and hindrances and things like that. And I just had a personal story about my Lama in Italy and a friend of mine starting to date a guy and she went in to talk to the Lama, particularly about this guy and the Lama. Report an error in the passage at 1:20:46 Highlight the passage at 1:20:46

1:21:14 Through a divination and he said, you know, his face kind of turned ashen and he said, no, you know, basically don't date this guy. And she was, you know, she was a little taken aback. But she followed his advice. She had a lot of devotion to him and a lot of trust in the Lama. And so a couple of months later she found out that this guy had AIDS. Report an error in the passage at 1:21:14 Highlight the passage at 1:21:14

1:21:48 So that's a very, actually I won't give more commentary, but I found that quite a powerful story. You know, the llamas know more than we do, right? They can anticipate. They can anticipate things that we can't anticipate, right? It's easy when we don't follow a spiritual teacher, when we're kind of just on our own, you know, kind of doing what we feel is the right. Report an error in the passage at 1:21:48 Highlight the passage at 1:21:48

1:22:17 It's easy to go in the wrong direction for quite a while. I think I'll practice this for a while, I'll practice this for a while. But because we don't have the complete wisdom, and because we still have the ego and the self-cherishing mind, it's easy to fool ourselves. And so the Guru helps keep us on track. The Guru helps us find... Report an error in the passage at 1:22:17 Highlight the passage at 1:22:17

1:22:45 The best path for us, right? The best practices for us and helps us when we start getting off track. So that's one reason why following a guru is the fastest way to get enlightened. Report an error in the passage at 1:22:45 Highlight the passage at 1:22:45

1:23:04 Yeah, Anna. Could you explain a little bit about what the gurus do with this throwing the mo, is it called? What is that about? Throwing the mo? What is it about? Report an error in the passage at 1:23:04 Highlight the passage at 1:23:04

1:23:20 I've never experienced it. Explain Report an error in the passage at 1:23:20 Highlight the passage at 1:23:20

1:23:29 it. It's a mo or a divination. So the gurus often do that to help you make a choice. For example, should I... I don't know, people go to gurus with all sorts of questions. Should I take this job or this other job? Should I move here? Should I... Report an error in the passage at 1:23:29 Highlight the passage at 1:23:29

1:23:56 So if you give them various options, then they throw a moh, and there are different kinds of mohs. There's a Manjushri moh, there's some others too. Report an error in the passage at 1:23:56 Highlight the passage at 1:23:56

1:24:10 There are different ways to throw mohs. You can use dice or you can use a dough ball moh. There are different kinds of mohs, right? you know you can Report an error in the passage at 1:24:10 Highlight the passage at 1:24:10

1:24:19 But basically, they throw it and then they tell you, okay, well, this choice is really beneficial and this one is less beneficial. This one is a really bad choice, you know, etc. This one you'll have a lot of obstacles. Report an error in the passage at 1:24:19 Highlight the passage at 1:24:19

1:24:36 So yeah, but how it all works is a mystery to me. Report an error in the passage at 1:24:36 Highlight the passage at 1:24:36

1:24:50 So the next benefit to relying on the Guru is you avoid falling into lower rebirths. So the cause of lower rebirths is creating negative karma. And when we rely correctly on a spiritual teacher, then we will naturally avoid negative actions. Because we're being mindful, we're being vigilant, we're training our minds. We're really getting better at training our minds. Report an error in the passage at 1:24:50 Highlight the passage at 1:24:50

1:25:25 So we'll naturally avoid negative actions. And Geshe Sopa says, if you properly rely on your spiritual teacher in this life, the ripening of non-virtuous karma will be cut off in the future. Report an error in the passage at 1:25:25 Highlight the passage at 1:25:25

1:25:47 And then the next benefit is, it's difficult to be overcome by negative actions, as well as difficult to be overpowered by strong mental afflictions. Report an error in the passage at 1:25:47 Highlight the passage at 1:25:47

1:26:02 So difficult to be overcome by negative actions or karma and difficult to be overpowered by strong mental afflictions. And for the same reasons, right? Because we're training our minds. We're learning to avoid negative thoughts. You know, when you devote yourself to the guru, you're letting go of your pride, right? Report an error in the passage at 1:26:02 Highlight the passage at 1:26:02

1:26:26 You're learning humility. You're learning to respect the Guru, right? So naturally, your pride will decrease. Arrogance will decrease. Also, you're letting go of your attachment, right? Your attachment to doing what we want, you know, attachment to our agenda, attachment to our comfort, especially if you work for Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Report an error in the passage at 1:26:26 Highlight the passage at 1:26:26

1:26:54 He asks you to do a lot of things and helps you. Let go of your attachment to sleep and comfort and things like that. And by offering your time and your efforts and money, material things to the Guru, you're letting go of your miserliness. So just this practice of Guru Devotion is helping us overcome our mental afflictions. Report an error in the passage at 1:26:54 Highlight the passage at 1:26:54

1:27:23 And when we're overcoming our mental afflictions, then naturally we're not creating negative karma or as much negative karma. Report an error in the passage at 1:27:23 Highlight the passage at 1:27:23

1:27:41 The Guru inspires us to develop those qualities ourselves. When we're around people who gossip a lot and complain a lot, that rubs off on us. And when we're around someone really pure, that rubs off on us. Someone who's constantly working for the welfare of others, someone who's very kind and loving and concerned and Report an error in the passage at 1:27:41 Highlight the passage at 1:27:41

1:28:16 peaceful, who has a tamed mind, then naturally we see those qualities and we want to develop those. So naturally our positive qualities increase by being around the Guru. Report an error in the passage at 1:28:16 Highlight the passage at 1:28:16

1:28:35 Okay, so the Guru, even Report an error in the passage at 1:28:35 Highlight the passage at 1:28:35

1:28:41 if the Guru doesn't even... Even if we don't have a personal relationship with the Guru, even if we don't ask the Guru for advice, let's say His Holiness the Dalai Lama is our Guru. Report an error in the passage at 1:28:41 Highlight the passage at 1:28:41

1:28:56 Hard to get a meeting with him, but just going to his teachings, just being around him is uplifting. It's inspiring, it's uplifting. And oftentimes you get the high after going to teachings of his. Report an error in the passage at 1:28:56 Highlight the passage at 1:28:56

1:29:17 And then another benefit is you will accomplish all your temporary and ultimate goals. Report an error in the passage at 1:29:17 Highlight the passage at 1:29:17

1:29:26 So once again, for the same reasons, our actions, when we properly rely on a guru, then naturally our actions become more and more consistent with the bodhisattva's actions. And Report an error in the passage at 1:29:26 Highlight the passage at 1:29:26

1:29:45 then we quickly complete the accumulation of merit and wisdom. Report an error in the passage at 1:29:45 Highlight the passage at 1:29:45

1:29:53 So this is when we wholeheartedly apply to ourselves to practice. Then naturally we're accumulating merit and wisdom. Report an error in the passage at 1:29:53 Highlight the passage at 1:29:53

1:30:07 So this is why the Guru Yoga is very strongly emphasized in this tradition. For people who practice Tantra, you'll notice that there's always a Guru Yoga associated with any Tantric practice. Also the Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga practice is very good to do. It's a shorter version of Guru Yoga than Lama Chopa or the Guru Puja. Report an error in the passage at 1:30:07 Highlight the passage at 1:30:07

1:30:33 It's wonderful to do and here it's done every morning in a group at 7 o 'clock, right? 7.20 every morning. Report an error in the passage at 1:30:33 Highlight the passage at 1:30:33

1:30:49 So there's a group of people, a group of regulars who come here and do the Guru Puja. It's wonderful to do in a group and drop-ins are very welcome. You can just come and check it out if you want. Report an error in the passage at 1:30:49 Highlight the passage at 1:30:49

1:31:06 An excellent, excellent practice to do if we can. It takes time, takes about an hour. I don't know if it keeps adding little bits at a time. Yeah. Report an error in the passage at 1:31:06 Highlight the passage at 1:31:06

1:31:32 What, ordained? All day. Report an error in the passage at 1:31:32 Highlight the passage at 1:31:32

1:31:41 Yeah. Yeah, and then practice includes, you know, always includes saying a lamrim prayer, you know, so you get... To review the entire path every day. Report an error in the passage at 1:31:41 Highlight the passage at 1:31:41

1:32:00 So it starts with the prostrations of the 35 Buddhas, which is a great purification practice. And there's other purification within the seven limbs. And then there's renewing bodhisattva and tantric vows. So it's a very, very complete practice. So people can come. That's great. And so... and it's just... Report an error in the passage at 1:32:00 Highlight the passage at 1:32:00

1:32:23 So relying on a spiritual teacher or on a guru, it's something we have to train in day by day. It's not something that comes easily, so we just need to do it again and again, day after day after day after day. And that's why it's recommended that we do a guru yoga practice every day. Report an error in the passage at 1:32:23 Highlight the passage at 1:32:23

1:32:53 Any questions on those benefits? Do they make sense? Report an error in the passage at 1:32:53 Highlight the passage at 1:32:53

1:33:01 So personally, I think it's good to review it. To take the benefits that really resonate with us and then just meditate on those again and again until they become very ingrained. Some of the benefits might not resonate with you and so you don't have to meditate on all of them but the ones that are very meaningful to you it's good to remember. Report an error in the passage at 1:33:01 Highlight the passage at 1:33:01

1:33:26 Hilary, you had a question? Report an error in the passage at 1:33:26 Highlight the passage at 1:33:26

1:33:35 It makes sense in light of what you said about You know, examining the guru carefully and examining, you know, and having some gradual understanding of and faith in the Dharma. Because as you said the words, a lot of the words tonight reminded me of the exact same terminology that some groups that we consider, you know, cults do. Report an error in the passage at 1:33:35 Highlight the passage at 1:33:35

1:34:05 Like giving up, you know, and I think particularly in the West we're... Really cognizant of that and a little bit afraid of that. And I think rightfully so in some circumstances. I mean, you don't just give your mind over to anybody. But it's very powerful if you find the right circumstances and stay aware. Yeah. Report an error in the passage at 1:34:05 Highlight the passage at 1:34:05

1:34:32 No, that's a good point to remind us all of is the importance of really checking out the guru. right? Really making sure that they are what they appear to be. They are really pure. They really have the qualities and they're not just trying to build a cult or build a bunch of followers to have a bunch of people give them things and accumulate their wealth and accumulate their power. Report an error in the passage at 1:34:32 Highlight the passage at 1:34:32

1:35:07 Because there are plenty of people out there like that. So that's why in the teachings it says to check out the guru for up to 12 years so that inside, in our hearts, we're really sure. Because if we're not really sure, then we won't really want to rely on that teacher. We won't really trust them. We won't really want to follow their advice. Report an error in the passage at 1:35:07 Highlight the passage at 1:35:07

1:35:37 If we think, oh, well, you know, well, maybe, maybe they don't really have those qualities. So maybe that piece of advice isn't really correct for me. And maybe, maybe this would be better for me. You know, if we have an out, then oftentimes we take it. Right. Especially when it comes to giving up any level of control. You know, we like to keep. Report an error in the passage at 1:35:37 Highlight the passage at 1:35:37

1:36:08 And relying on the guru entails starting to let go of that need to control our own lives. So we need to be really confident that that person really knows what they're doing and that person really is trustworthy. Report an error in the passage at 1:36:08 Highlight the passage at 1:36:08

1:36:29 So I can tell you, I think Geshe Dagpa is completely pure. And I can tell you that I think Lama Zopa Rinpoche is completely pure. But we have to become convinced of that ourselves. So being around the guru, listening to teachings, being in different situations with them and really seeing how they are. Report an error in the passage at 1:36:29 Highlight the passage at 1:36:29

1:36:55 So Report an error in the passage at 1:36:55 Highlight the passage at 1:36:55

1:37:15 actually maybe we can just stop and actually do a meditation on the benefits of relying on a guru and let it sink in a bit more. Report an error in the passage at 1:37:15 Highlight the passage at 1:37:15

· · · silence, 1 minute

1:38:22 Sit quietly for a couple of minutes first and settle our minds again. So Report an error in the passage at 1:38:22 Highlight the passage at 1:38:22

· · · silence, 1 minute

1:39:35 the first benefit of relying on a qualified guru is Report an error in the passage at 1:39:35 Highlight the passage at 1:39:35

1:39:45 it is the quickest, most effective method to attain Buddhahood. Report an error in the passage at 1:39:45 Highlight the passage at 1:39:45

1:40:03 The guru shows us the most appropriate path for us, Report an error in the passage at 1:40:03 Highlight the passage at 1:40:03

1:40:15 prevents us from going astray or tries to, and Report an error in the passage at 1:40:15 Highlight the passage at 1:40:15

1:40:24 points out obstacles on the path without. Report an error in the passage at 1:40:24 Highlight the passage at 1:40:24

· · · silence, 1 minute

1:41:46 The Guru, it's easy to go astray. Report an error in the passage at 1:41:46 Highlight the passage at 1:41:46

1:41:59 It's easy to justify our actions. We Report an error in the passage at 1:41:59 Highlight the passage at 1:41:59

· · · silence, 1 minute

1:42:42 lack the wisdom to know the best path for ourselves because we've never been enlightened before. We Report an error in the passage at 1:42:42 Highlight the passage at 1:42:42

1:43:02 need someone who's further along the path, who has the realizations to show us how to get them. Report an error in the passage at 1:43:02 Highlight the passage at 1:43:02

· · · silence, 1 minute

1:44:28 The second benefit is that we'll please all the Buddhas. If we rely correctly on a qualified spiritual teacher, since the teacher, the guru, is a representation or a manifestation of all the Buddhas. Report an error in the passage at 1:44:28 Highlight the passage at 1:44:28

1:44:49 The guru is doing the Buddha's work, Report an error in the passage at 1:44:49 Highlight the passage at 1:44:49

1:44:57 trying to lead us to enlightenment. Report an error in the passage at 1:44:57 Highlight the passage at 1:44:57

· · · silence, 1 minute

1:45:49 Also, if we rely correctly on a qualified guru, we will not lack a qualified guru in future lives. Report an error in the passage at 1:45:49 Highlight the passage at 1:45:49

1:46:04 We will create the causes to have a correct... Qualified guru again and again in all future lives. Report an error in the passage at 1:46:04 Highlight the passage at 1:46:04

1:46:36 Otherwise, even if there are qualified spiritual teachers around, we won't see them. We won't recognize them. We won't appreciate them. The Report an error in the passage at 1:46:36 Highlight the passage at 1:46:36

· · · silence, 2 minutes

1:48:52 best benefit is that we'll avoid falling into lower rebirths by Report an error in the passage at 1:48:52 Highlight the passage at 1:48:52

1:49:02 properly relying on our spiritual teacher, the ripening of the non-virtuous karma, We'll be cut off in future lives and we will naturally reduce our non-virtuous actions. Report an error in the passage at 1:49:02 Highlight the passage at 1:49:02

· · · silence, 1 minute

1:50:24 It's unlikely we will be overpowered by strong mental afflictions and it will be difficult to be overcome by negative actions. Report an error in the passage at 1:50:24 Highlight the passage at 1:50:24

1:50:56 Just by being around our Guru, our good qualities will naturally increase and our negative qualities will naturally decrease. Then Report an error in the passage at 1:50:56 Highlight the passage at 1:50:56

· · · silence, 1 minute

1:52:08 we will Accomplish all of our temporary and ultimate goals through relying properly on the Guru. Our actions will become naturally more and more like bodhisattvas. We'll Report an error in the passage at 1:52:08 Highlight the passage at 1:52:08

· · · silence, 1 minute

1:53:04 quickly complete the accumulations of merit and wisdom. Report an error in the passage at 1:53:04 Highlight the passage at 1:53:04

· · · silence, 2 minutes

1:54:41 Questions or comments before we dedicate? On Report an error in the passage at 1:54:41 Highlight the passage at 1:54:41

1:54:52 page 6, we'll Report an error in the passage at 1:54:52 Highlight the passage at 1:54:52

1:55:15 do the first two dedication prayers and then the last three. Report an error in the passage at 1:55:15 Highlight the passage at 1:55:15

1:55:24 Through the merits of these virtuous actions, may I quickly attain the state of a Guru Buddha and lead all living beings without exception into that enlightened state. May the supreme jewel bodhicitta that has not arisen arise and grow and may that which has arisen not diminish but increase more and more. Report an error in the passage at 1:55:24 Highlight the passage at 1:55:24

1:55:45 In the land encircled by snow mountains, you are the source of all happiness and good. All-powerful Chinrezig, Tenzin Gyatso, please remain until saṃsāra ends. May my venerable Lama's life be firm, his white divine action spread in the ten directions. May the torch of the teachings of Loh Tsong always remain, dispelling the darkness of all beings in the three realms. I dedicate whatever virtues I have ever collected for the benefit of the teachings and of sentient beings. Report an error in the passage at 1:55:45 Highlight the passage at 1:55:45

1:56:20 And in particular for the essential teachings of Venerable Lama Tsongkhapa to shine forever. Report an error in the passage at 1:56:20 Highlight the passage at 1:56:20

· · · silence, 1 minute

1:57:03 I will email you the homework. So if I don't have your email address and you want me to have it, then if you can come up. Report an error in the passage at 1:57:03 Highlight the passage at 1:57:03

1:57:17 So we'll have class next week, a reminder, but then we won't have class the week after that. Report an error in the passage at 1:57:17 Highlight the passage at 1:57:17

· · · silence, 1 minute

1:58:35 at different places. Report an error in the passage at 1:58:35 Highlight the passage at 1:58:35

· · · silence, 5 minutes

2:03:09 and then following project, and Report an error in the passage at 2:03:09 Highlight the passage at 2:03:09

2:03:19 18th but i'm not sure we'll definitely Report an error in the passage at 2:03:19 Highlight the passage at 2:03:19

2:03:25 Do you want me to arrange having bound copies? I would like a bound copy myself. I think it will be just to pay for the copy of the printing. Report an error in the passage at 2:03:25 Highlight the passage at 2:03:25

2:03:50 It's between $10 and $15. Okay. Okay. We'll do that. Thank you. Sure. Can I ask you a quick question? It wasn't really about what we were talking about tonight. It doesn't have to be a quick question. Oh, okay. I'm going to go to North Carolina to see Lama Tsongkhapa. I haven't met him before. My mother lives in Charlotte, so it's so close. And they asked about taking refuge trials. I already took them with Lama Tsongkhapa. Report an error in the passage at 2:03:50 Highlight the passage at 2:03:50

2:04:20 Okay. But I know you can renew vows, but I don't think I've broken any. It's only April, so is it beneficial to renew them just because you can? Report an error in the passage at 2:04:20 Highlight the passage at 2:04:20

2:04:35 It's interesting because refuge vows you don't hear about. I took both. I took the lay vows and the refuge. You don't hear about taking those again and again. Oh, you don't? All right. Report an error in the passage at 2:04:35 Highlight the passage at 2:04:35

2:04:48 Take ones over and over and over again, renew them, but lay vows, it's not traditional, but I think it doesn't hurt, though. I mean, it never hurts to take a vow again. Okay. Yeah, but you realize that, you know, you'll take Lama Zopa as guru is when you take vows from it. Report an error in the passage at 2:04:48 Highlight the passage at 2:04:48

2:05:09 So, I already took them with Geshe Dakpa. Does that kind of... all right, so, yeah, okay. Report an error in the passage at 2:05:09 Highlight the passage at 2:05:09

2:05:17 So Geshenakha is then a refugee guru, and then Lama Zopa will also be a guru as well. Report an error in the passage at 2:05:17 Highlight the passage at 2:05:17

2:05:28 It doesn't really change? It doesn't change anything with Geshidatma. No, you're adding to your collection. Okay, thank you. Report an error in the passage at 2:05:28 Highlight the passage at 2:05:28

2:05:40 Have a good time. Thank you. When are you going? Is it soon? Oh, no. It's July. July 2017. It's at the end of the month. Okay, thank you. Okay, so we'll pay you $30. Oh, for the printing. Report an error in the passage at 2:05:40 Highlight the passage at 2:05:40

2:05:56 Oh, no, it's fine. So we're all set up. So whatever. Report an error in the passage at 2:05:56 Highlight the passage at 2:05:56

2:06:02 Thank you. that was fine. Report an error in the passage at 2:06:02 Highlight the passage at 2:06:02

2:06:04 So, this is my rant. What book do you recommend for the class and everything? I would like to read something. So do you tend to like to read a lot or do you like a summary? Report an error in the passage at 2:06:04 Highlight the passage at 2:06:04

2:06:26 I like easy reading and I understand it. So I purchase a lot of books. Report an error in the passage at 2:06:26 Highlight the passage at 2:06:26

2:06:39 I'm sorry, I feel bad, I really do, but anyway. So, I mean, I can relate them all, right? You know. There are so many differences in words. So let me show you. I think there are a couple of books in this. Right. This book Right. It's taller. Yeah. It's a rapid. Yeah. It's taller when you stand next to that. I don't know. It's so very good. Report an error in the passage at 2:06:39 Highlight the passage at 2:06:39

2:07:08 It's great. Report an error in the passage at 2:07:08 Highlight the passage at 2:07:08

· · · silence, 7 minutes

2:13:49 Marenzo, which is by San Leandro Hayward. Okay. So, and a very long time. Report an error in the passage at 2:13:49 Highlight the passage at 2:13:49

2:14:07 Western, yeah. It just was phenomenal. Report an error in the passage at 2:14:07 Highlight the passage at 2:14:07

2:14:30 Okay, I know that. How much more money to come? I would like something more Report an error in the passage at 2:14:30 Highlight the passage at 2:14:30

2:14:37 important. Report an error in the passage at 2:14:37 Highlight the passage at 2:14:37

2:14:45 Take care. Report an error in the passage at 2:14:45 Highlight the passage at 2:14:45