Discovering Buddhism - Taking Refuge (3 September 2009)

0:29 How are you? I'm Report an error in the passage at 0:29 Highlight the passage at 0:29

0:34 at my best. Report an error in the passage at 0:34 Highlight the passage at 0:34

0:39 I'm tired, I have to say that. It's also my mommy's birthday. Well, she died three years ago. But still, it's kind of like on my mind, I think. Report an error in the passage at 0:39 Highlight the passage at 0:39

0:57 I'm just going to out or in. Report an error in the passage at 0:57 Highlight the passage at 0:57

1:05 Oh, it's on. Hello. Report an error in the passage at 1:05 Highlight the passage at 1:05

1:10 I want to see who's willing to crawl back there. Report an error in the passage at 1:10 Highlight the passage at 1:10

1:19 It's likely that you would fit more than I would. hold your hand if you need help going through. Report an error in the passage at 1:19 Highlight the passage at 1:19

1:45 four, six, and who's not here? Who might come tonight? Report an error in the passage at 1:45 Highlight the passage at 1:45

2:08 May this day bring you peace, tranquility and harmony. All right. All right. The paper says so. Report an error in the passage at 2:08 Highlight the passage at 2:08

2:25 Yeah, I did a Medicine Buddha puja and nobody came. So I was telling Sangil that it was kind of nice because I just took time between like each of the praises. So I think of everyone who needed help in the center, in the world. I thought of my mom even three years out. I thought this friend of mine, it's the second year anniversary of this study. Report an error in the passage at 2:25 Highlight the passage at 2:25

2:50 So I thought of him and I thought just like everybody who's in trouble. It's been a hard week. Report an error in the passage at 2:50 Highlight the passage at 2:50

2:59 Ramirez's stepfather died suddenly. Oh, Samantha! I knew there was somebody. One of my colleagues died today. Really? They didn't even know me had cancer. She thought he was working from home on. Report an error in the passage at 2:59 Highlight the passage at 2:59

3:23 This one woman that studies here is a teacher. Report an error in the passage at 3:23 Highlight the passage at 3:23

3:35 So it's kind of nice just to be able to just do it like that and just take time to think of every single person I think of who would possibly need healing or purification. Report an error in the passage at 3:35 Highlight the passage at 3:35

4:04 Start another one. So at the end we're going to watch the video and we're going to have a little bye. Report an error in the passage at 4:04 Highlight the passage at 4:04

4:14 I was going to bring Kool-Aid but I didn't have time to make it the same way. We'll do emergency. You can stir it. Report an error in the passage at 4:14 Highlight the passage at 4:14

4:24 So we'll just finish the material and then we'll take a break and finish something like that. This is pretty set up. Report an error in the passage at 4:24 Highlight the passage at 4:24

4:34 So I'm going to start with an actual, kind of a longer meditation than usual. It's the one that you guys will, you actually still get homework even though there's no follow-up class. And I emailed it to you guys, so it's gone out to you. Along with the notes from the class. and the Wisterfield Golden Jewel Report an error in the passage at 4:34 Highlight the passage at 4:34

5:06 This will be the way I do it from now on. Maybe it will save paper. Report an error in the passage at 5:06 Highlight the passage at 5:06

5:15 Anyway, so we're going to do this meditation. This meditation is the Report an error in the passage at 5:15 Highlight the passage at 5:15

5:29 refuge. Report an error in the passage at 5:29 Highlight the passage at 5:29

5:39 Go ahead and check your posture. If you're new to meditation, Report an error in the passage at 5:39 Highlight the passage at 5:39

5:49 the most important element is your spine. Report an error in the passage at 5:49 Highlight the passage at 5:49

5:58 Relax your shoulders and have a roll on Report an error in the passage at 5:58 Highlight the passage at 5:58

6:07 your chin. It's slightly tucked here, which opens up the back of your neck. Report an error in the passage at 6:07 Highlight the passage at 6:07

6:21 In this tradition, we usually keep our eyes open. You can either have them lightly open. Letting in a little bit of light, especially at the end of the day like this. Or you can have clothes, maybe slightly hooded. Report an error in the passage at 6:21 Highlight the passage at 6:21

6:40 The light will keep you from getting too drowsy. Report an error in the passage at 6:40 Highlight the passage at 6:40

6:50 Just rest and open your mouth. Report an error in the passage at 6:50 Highlight the passage at 6:50

6:57 Hands are in the back. Right over the left. And your Report an error in the passage at 6:57 Highlight the passage at 6:57

7:09 feet are crossed in whatever position works for you. Give you stability, but also be comfortable. Report an error in the passage at 7:09 Highlight the passage at 7:09

7:28 be on the chair and move the back of the chair. I'm going to Report an error in the passage at 7:28 Highlight the passage at 7:28

7:37 start with some deep cleansing breaths, like on your day, let go of any Report an error in the passage at 7:37 Highlight the passage at 7:37

7:48 other uplickive thoughts going through your mind. Report an error in the passage at 7:48 Highlight the passage at 7:48

7:56 Disturbing news today or anything worried, just imagine allowing your breath to dissolve that. Report an error in the passage at 7:56 Highlight the passage at 7:56

8:29 Just try focusing on your breath in a little patch of skin to give your nostril and try coming in and out breath as one. Report an error in the passage at 8:29 Highlight the passage at 8:29

· · · silence, 21 minutes

30:09 Inspired by wisdom and compassion, today in the Buddha I generate the mind, Report an error in the passage at 30:09 Highlight the passage at 30:09

30:20 as long as space remains, as long as sentient beings remain, until then may I too remain. Report an error in the passage at 30:20 Highlight the passage at 30:20

· · · silence, 1 minute

31:05 So once you develop bodhicitta to strengthen it, Report an error in the passage at 31:05 Highlight the passage at 31:05

31:23 which are the six perfections? Report an error in the passage at 31:23 Highlight the passage at 31:23

31:28 Giving, Report an error in the passage at 31:28 Highlight the passage at 31:28

31:35 immorality, patience, joyful effort. Report an error in the passage at 31:35 Highlight the passage at 31:35

31:52 It's a Report an error in the passage at 31:52 Highlight the passage at 31:52

31:57 funny expression, isn't it? I am. But that's really just me turning the wheel of Dharma just Report an error in the passage at 31:57 Highlight the passage at 31:57

32:09 like God. Of calming tea. I never know. It's going to come out of the readings. I'm Report an error in the passage at 32:09 Highlight the passage at 32:09

32:28 going to take over where I left off. I started with the refuge. So we did the first Report an error in the passage at 32:28 Highlight the passage at 32:28

32:37 six of what to give up and what to take up. And these are the general precepts. Most of these are pretty straightforward, actually. Report an error in the passage at 32:37 Highlight the passage at 32:37

32:49 then I'll talk a little bit about the navels, very little bit, The Report an error in the passage at 32:49 Highlight the passage at 32:49

33:00 first one Report an error in the passage at 33:00 Highlight the passage at 33:00

33:17 is going for refuge over and over again by calling to mind the good qualities of each object. So I think all of you have this one. Report an error in the passage at 33:17 Highlight the passage at 33:17

33:28 And this one becomes a commitment, but it's partly just to keep fresh in our minds what the qualities of the objects are. That's part of why I like to do the Southern Limb Prayer that way when I do, before I meditate, Report an error in the passage at 33:28 Highlight the passage at 33:28

33:52 practices that we do to prepare our minds seven in one of them and another one is making a heartfelt request. for refuge, all the ones that we did as part of this. I like to do them that way because then I get the meaning out of it rather than just repeating the words. Report an error in the passage at 33:52 Highlight the passage at 33:52

34:19 We've gone through this in some other classes together. But I like this version of seven limb prayer because I like just thinking up different qualities each day. You know, like which one is speaking to me now because they have so many qualities. Usually these are talking about the qualities of the Buddha. And again, if you have the qualities of the Buddha, then all the other refuge objects sort of follow suit because the Dharma comes from that and those practicing the Dharma or realizing the Dharma come from that. Report an error in the passage at 34:19 Highlight the passage at 34:19

34:51 So I sort of focus on the Buddha. So just remembering them, and that isn't like a way to remember them. But basically, just taking every once in a while and reviewing what those qualities are. Because otherwise, we don't really develop confidence or trust that the Buddha can get us out of this mess. So it's just like there's no reason to have any confidence. Report an error in the passage at 34:51 Highlight the passage at 34:51

35:20 Or even that the Buddha existed. So actually just sort of reading his life story or reading. The Jakarta tales that come from his previous life stories, or even stories of other beings who decided to become Buddhas, like Noripha. Report an error in the passage at 35:20 Highlight the passage at 35:20

35:47 The second one is, in remembrance of their kindness, offer the first part of any food or drink to the refuge object. Report an error in the passage at 35:47 Highlight the passage at 35:47

35:58 It seems like we did that one Tuesday, but I think maybe you just brought up that you forgot it that day or something. Actually, I laughed because I remembered once today something like six times I ate. Well, that's what I think a lot of these are, is just sort of mindfulness exercises, just like with precepts. You just notice how mindlessly we just go through life. Report an error in the passage at 35:58 Highlight the passage at 35:58

36:20 I don't know what Janet was saying, that she stopped doing anything else. While she's eating, one time when she was eating, she spent time preparing her meal and sat down and ate it and completely missed it, which of course I've done a lot of times. And she just decided how worthless that was. She wasn't even doing it from a Buddhist point of view, but she just decided after all that worked to not even notice that she was eating it because she was reading or whatever she was doing, talking to somebody. Report an error in the passage at 36:20 Highlight the passage at 36:20

36:48 But she decided now when she eats, she only eats. And I think in some ways that's what this is about. It's like rather than just like... Did I offer that? I actually don't know. So the way you do it, we did it during the retreat for people who were here. An easy way to do it is just imagine all the buddhas and bodhisattvas, and you can just imagine a few if billions of them is too difficult. Or like I said, for me, I start with Lama Zopa Rinpoche because it's easier. Report an error in the passage at 36:48 Highlight the passage at 36:48

37:21 He's my main teacher, but it's also I can imagine him. don't know. Report an error in the passage at 37:21 Highlight the passage at 37:21

37:26 The other part of this is that when we offer to them, we have to imagine them actually receiving them. And so imagining them sort of giggling and being happy with your offering is also part of it. Report an error in the passage at 37:26 Highlight the passage at 37:26

37:40 But you offer with this mantra, Om Ahung. You say three times, Om Ahung, Om Ahung, Om Ahung. And all that does is Om purifies whatever you're offering, your tea, your food. A transforms it into nectar and home multiplies it limitlessly. And then you imagine them actually receiving it in bliss. And Ravita says, the bigger the belly, the better. So then you just go ahead and eat. And also, you can also imagine that you have, you know how we ended that last meditation bringing the Buddha, like imagine the Buddha dissolving into us. Report an error in the passage at 37:40 Highlight the passage at 37:40

38:22 You can imagine that the Buddha sort of takes up residence in your heart, just sort of hangs out there all day. So when you're eating, you can imagine them receiving the food, like it coming down and then receiving it in bliss. And then every mouthful becomes like this really meaningful practice. Report an error in the passage at 38:22 Highlight the passage at 38:22

38:40 When you start doing Tantra, and you yourself are the Buddha, you're visualizing yourself as the Buddha, there are practices where you are just practicing receiving everything with bliss. It's really kind of an amazing thing to do. Report an error in the passage at 38:40 Highlight the passage at 38:40

38:57 So that, you know, you're drinking or you're eating or anything, you're just practicing. What would it be like if I were really actually experiencing this? Report an error in the passage at 38:57 Highlight the passage at 38:57

39:08 We really should be in bliss a lot more at the time. Report an error in the passage at 39:08 Highlight the passage at 39:08

39:13 But of course you can also think about what went into producing what you ate, you know, just like having a little mindfulness about all the beings that played a role in you getting that particular cup of tea, you know, like all the people somewhere in the planet who... They worked really, really hard preparing the field and harvesting the tea and bringing it to market and then the people that then took it from the market and brought it here and then the people that put it in these little bags and wrote all these witty little sayings or researched them all. Report an error in the passage at 39:13 Highlight the passage at 39:13

39:45 And then all those people who brought that down to whatever store whoever Mary got this at. And then Mary bringing it here to the house. And then all the people who gave money to the center that we were able to give Mary money for the tea. Like all the beings that are involved in one little cup of tea. Report an error in the passage at 39:45 Highlight the passage at 39:45

40:04 It's kind of amazing in that it's just here for me to drink. Rather than just mindlessly slugging it back. And even if you don't have somebody else going and doing your shopping for you, there's still so many billions and billions of beings. Because those are just the humans. We didn't even mention all the beings that were killed in the planting. Report an error in the passage at 40:04 Highlight the passage at 40:04

40:21 or, know, chopped up in the harvesting or whatever. played some role, you know, maybe the deer that nibbled at the leaves or something. Report an error in the passage at 40:21 Highlight the passage at 40:21

40:33 There is this story, Rinpoche actually spends a really, really long time offering his food and if you ever are invited, they say if you're ever invited to lunch with You should eat lunch first because it'll be hours before you actually eat. So it's just useful if you're not totally starving. And if you cook for riboche, then you have to prepare knowing that you're going to have to just be on the ready and have it all kept hot and then quickly get it into the dishes because when he's finished offering well. Report an error in the passage at 40:33 Highlight the passage at 40:33

41:19 But there's a story of him on this flight when Report an error in the passage at 41:19 Highlight the passage at 41:19

41:26 the food came. It was a short flight when the food came. Report an error in the passage at 41:26 Highlight the passage at 41:26

41:34 I mean, went on and on and on, so they're all just sitting, and Roger's like sort of sneaking. And then the woman came and she said, I'm sorry, I'm going to have to take this now, we're about to land, you know. And he said, oh, that's okay, the best part's done. Which I'd love to get to Report an error in the passage at 41:34 Highlight the passage at 41:34

41:52 know, That's the kind of mind we want to get to, actually, offering as The third of these general precepts is encouraging others to take refuge, Report an error in the passage at 41:52 Highlight the passage at 41:52

42:06 Running around in a little suit from door to door, forcing your opinions on others, or even in your excitement, trying to get everybody else in your life to become a Buddha, which actually sometimes happens. Report an error in the passage at 42:06 Highlight the passage at 42:06

42:20 It's talking about more if somebody, if it's kind of appropriate in somebody in your life, Report an error in the passage at 42:20 Highlight the passage at 42:20

42:29 try to encourage, Report an error in the passage at 42:29 Highlight the passage at 42:29

42:32 share it with them so they don't miss the chance, but it's through a skillful name. Report an error in the passage at 42:32 Highlight the passage at 42:32

42:43 Taking refuge three times a day, three times a night, by bringing it to mind. So formally, yet you are supposed to do... sort of refuge prayer in the just remember. Report an error in the passage at 42:43 Highlight the passage at 42:43

42:57 just did, you know, remembering what it is that, you Report an error in the passage at 42:57 Highlight the passage at 42:57

43:05 they build in the little prayer so that you Report an error in the passage at 43:05 Highlight the passage at 43:05

43:10 then, like I said, too, any time that you take any commitment, Report an error in the passage at 43:10 Highlight the passage at 43:10

43:23 know it's informal and I'm on the floor and everything's kind of confusing tonight. What you fear and what you trust was that part of the refuge? Report an error in the passage at 43:23 Highlight the passage at 43:23

43:34 What you fear and what you trust was what we talked about at the beginning of this class. So you just think about what it is that you, it's sort of recognizing the situation that we're in, who's going to get us out. Report an error in the passage at 43:34 Highlight the passage at 43:34

44:00 Putting all your trust in the objects of refuge during any activity you may undertake. And that's mostly talking about, you know, when things go wrong, it's a lot easier to never take refuge. Report an error in the passage at 44:00 Highlight the passage at 44:00

44:17 When things go right, we forget. Or when things go really right, we remember. So either way, I do Report an error in the passage at 44:17 Highlight the passage at 44:17

44:31 maintenance, which is also why we do it every morning. Report an error in the passage at 44:31 Highlight the passage at 44:31

44:42 Definitely we see that in the sense Report an error in the passage at 44:42 Highlight the passage at 44:42

44:55 horribly wrong. And they come and they do classes and they do poojas or whatever and they get another one and leave. And then they tell a boyfriend, partner, mother. Report an error in the passage at 44:55 Highlight the passage at 44:55

45:10 And then we don't see them again, sometimes forever and sometimes a long time and then they pop back in again. So you just get used to it. Report an error in the passage at 45:10 Highlight the passage at 45:10

45:24 Not giving up on the three jewels, even if it should cost you your life and in every situation. Report an error in the passage at 45:24 Highlight the passage at 45:24

45:36 So this is talking about really taking this seriously. Especially, you know, you wouldn't have these precepts if you hadn't done it formally. Report an error in the passage at 45:36 Highlight the passage at 45:36

45:48 Geshe-la, I think this was where Geshe-la was coming from when he was so fierce, actually. You know, it was like, this isn't funny. There will be times where we need... upon our refuge, and our refuge needs to strong. Report an error in the passage at 45:48 Highlight the passage at 45:48

46:07 out with you if you don't get it and it's true i mean i think i think there's nothing wrong with being A lot of us can't imagine a time that we would be forced to choose. Report an error in the passage at 46:07 Highlight the passage at 46:07

46:35 But I mean, look at the Tibetans, they probably didn't think so either. I'm sure when Geshe-la took refuge in all of those many years ago, he didn't realize. Report an error in the passage at 46:35 Highlight the passage at 46:35

46:47 It's kind of like that. Report an error in the passage at 46:47 Highlight the passage at 46:47

46:56 And so then the five lay vows. And like I said, usually actually the lay vows and the refuge all go together at one ceremony. They didn't on Sunday. And usually it's possible at least... With Geshe-la, it's possible to take whichever of the lay bounds you feel, as many, and it is better not to rush, just like with any balance that has been to them, but on the other hand, also not to delay them for forever, because time Report an error in the passage at 46:56 Highlight the passage at 46:56

47:37 we have left. Report an error in the passage at 47:37 Highlight the passage at 47:37

47:46 I had this friend who I did Copan, actually he was in my study group, so it must have been the second time I went, I led a study group in 98, and this guy was in my, Report an error in the passage at 47:46 Highlight the passage at 47:46

48:01 you get kind of close to him. Every day for a month we get together and they're all going through so much. Report an error in the passage at 48:01 Highlight the passage at 48:01

48:11 He decided to take refuge. He had been before. Report an error in the passage at 48:11 Highlight the passage at 48:11

48:18 He did take refuge, actually. I remember he did take refuge, but he wanted to see Rinpoche and he couldn't get in to say, Report an error in the passage at 48:18 Highlight the passage at 48:18

48:28 well, I'll do it next time. And I remember at the time thinking, oh God, I hope there is a next time. And I thought, well, that's kind Report an error in the passage at 48:28 Highlight the passage at 48:28

48:40 of dying. Actually, he died in a really freak. He just was walking in Report an error in the passage at 48:40 Highlight the passage at 48:40

48:48 Australia, not even in India or Nepal or anything big. It was the day of his brother's wedding. Report an error in the passage at 48:48 Highlight the passage at 48:48

48:55 So that was definitely, I just was like, oh my god, you know, like I'm so glad he took refuge actually. But it just, it just shows you how you just have no idea. Report an error in the passage at 48:55 Highlight the passage at 48:55

49:12 I mean, we all would have thought, we all would have thought he would have, because he had Giardia and everything else for traveling and India and Nepal for you. What's wrong with being thin? Nothing's wrong with that. He was way thinner than you know. He was way thinner. Anyway. So these five lay bells, I think most of us have heard what the lay bells are. The important aspect of them is how you actually would break them at their root so that you wouldn't be able to, that you'd have to take them over again. Report an error in the passage at 49:12 Highlight the passage at 49:12

49:42 Because it's sort of like with the non-vergeus, it's not always clear. Actually it's related. Report an error in the passage at 49:42 Highlight the passage at 49:42

49:50 Killing, for the vow of killing, we break it at its root if you kill it. So killing an ant is not a good thing to do. Report an error in the passage at 49:50 Highlight the passage at 49:50

50:05 it require if you Report an error in the passage at 50:05 Highlight the passage at 50:05

50:21 But you don't lose it. Report an error in the passage at 50:21 Highlight the passage at 50:21

50:26 So it's actually a little bit difficult. Report an error in the passage at 50:26 Highlight the passage at 50:26

50:30 Stealing or taking something not given to you. Yeah, Courtney, you want to pass it back? Report an error in the passage at 50:30 Highlight the passage at 50:30

50:38 Even if unintentional, like say you were in a drive of a car accident and it wasn't your fault? That's a good question. If that were me, because I have this vow as a nun, even with a coyote, I actually hit a coyote once. Report an error in the passage at 50:38 Highlight the passage at 50:38

51:00 So horrible. And I felt like I had to immediately confess it even though it wasn't intentional, of course. But I still felt like I just wanted, I mean confession is always just about getting it off your chest, right? I mean the Buddhists all know, right? So I would still confess it and I would still do some sort of purification, even if it wasn't intentional, just so it doesn't leave any impression. Report an error in the passage at 51:00 Highlight the passage at 51:00

51:32 But yeah, all of these are intentional. It's the same with... I mean, Report an error in the passage at 51:32 Highlight the passage at 51:32

· · · silence, 1 minute

51:37 Do Report an error in the passage at 51:37 Highlight the passage at 51:37

51:46 you have a question? I do. With confession, does it have to be to a monk or a nun? No, no, no. It has nothing to do with monks or nuns. It just has to be somebody who understands. Somebody who understands the vow. And if nobody's available? A statue. Because remember, the statues are the Buddhas. Or a picture. Actually, if it was a picture of your teacher, I could Report an error in the passage at 51:46 Highlight the passage at 51:46

52:21 get down and bend a knee. in teacher and about never to do Report an error in the passage at 52:21 Highlight the passage at 52:21

52:28 Sexual misconduct. In this case, you would lose the vow at its root by committing adultery or Report an error in the passage at 52:28 Highlight the passage at 52:28

52:39 partner or something else. Any other form of sexual misconduct, like some of them are described in the scriptures, engaging in sexual activity in a holy place or during precepts or something like that, you would do the same. Report an error in the passage at 52:39 Highlight the passage at 52:39

53:03 Lying. Number four. don't know. Report an error in the passage at 53:03 Highlight the passage at 53:03

53:06 And the biggest one, the way you would break it at its root, is lying about your spiritual, especially saying that you have had a direct perception of it. Report an error in the passage at 53:06 Highlight the passage at 53:06

53:21 Oh, I forgot, I didn't tell you what you create the cause. Okay, so for killing, if you keep the lay vow of not killing, then you create the causes for having a long life. Report an error in the passage at 53:21 Highlight the passage at 53:21

53:35 If you keep the lay vow of not stealing, then you create the causes for having enough, having wealth in future life. If you keep the lay vow of not committing sexual misconduct, then you create the causes for having harmonious partners who support you in future lives. Not necessarily emotionally. Emotionally and every other way. If you keep the lay vow of lying, I mean I'm not lying, you create the causes for people to believe you and be honest with you in future lives. Report an error in the passage at 53:35 Highlight the passage at 53:35

54:18 And if you, the final one is intoxicants. This actually is considered a support or a branch valve, not a root valve. So the first four are considered root valves. The fifth one is a support. So you can't actually break it at its root. But you receive a downfall if you take any kind of, Report an error in the passage at 54:18 Highlight the passage at 54:18

54:47 if you're taking something that's in medicine and it really is for the purpose. You have to be honest about that. Report an error in the passage at 54:47 Highlight the passage at 54:47

55:03 Then, you know, if you're taking something that was meant to be medicinal and you're taking it recreational. Report an error in the passage at 55:03 Highlight the passage at 55:03

55:14 And this one, if you keep it, you create the cosmos sharp angle. Report an error in the passage at 55:14 Highlight the passage at 55:14

55:31 No, it's not. It's alcohol. It's alcohol. Yeah, I know. What? No, it's not. I'll come in like a list of things. What about this? Report an error in the passage at 55:31 Highlight the passage at 55:31

55:45 Cigarettes come up, and actually, cigarettes are, at least, I guess it depends on the Lama. I would ask the Lama before you take the bow. But you know, on precepts days, people who smoke it, I think it's, the main one is alcohol, but the way that it was worded, even at the time of the Buddha, was this word that actually, Translates to any chemical substance, so they must have used other things then too. We always think, long ago they were also stayed, but no. Report an error in the passage at 55:45 Highlight the passage at 55:45

56:26 So basically, what ends up happening with anything that's considered an intoxicant, lose your inhibition. Report an error in the passage at 56:26 Highlight the passage at 56:26

56:41 I understand the value of that, but it seems like it's strange. Report an error in the passage at 56:41 Highlight the passage at 56:41

56:51 Because it's a support to the other four. They say there's this story, which I'll mess up again. I can never tell jokes or stories. There's a story of somebody who, I think he was a monk, and this woman was trying to seduce him, I think, and she said, or maybe he was just a lady, he must have been, and she said, you know, of all the five vows, which can you, just break one, just break one with me. Report an error in the passage at 56:51 Highlight the passage at 56:51

57:26 And of course, then they killed a duck or a pig or something and ate that, and they stole something, and then they, you know, had... They had sex together and then they broke all the other ones. So the idea is just that. Report an error in the passage at 57:26 Highlight the passage at 57:26

57:50 And there's this quote, if you drink as much alcohol as fits, Report an error in the passage at 57:50 Highlight the passage at 57:50

58:07 believe me. However, remember that you can take as few or as many of these labels as you're capable of keeping. So usually all the people always come and do four. And it's not usually killing that you're leaving out. This is like the one. Report an error in the passage at 58:07 Highlight the passage at 58:07

58:30 Try to take it. I'm Report an error in the passage at 58:30 Highlight the passage at 58:30

58:45 taking anything that's not given to you. So you lose the vow. It sort of depends on the Lama's interpretation. But the way the Lama, I took my lay vows from, defined it, is if you take an object that's valuable to another person. Whether it has any value in a larger society at all. Geshe-la. Report an error in the passage at 58:45 Highlight the passage at 58:45

59:09 Defines it as taking Report an error in the passage at 59:09 Highlight the passage at 59:09

59:14 arrested in the culture that you're in, so that the culture defines it, so I don't know what that would Report an error in the passage at 59:14 Highlight the passage at 59:14

59:27 be. So, but the way that I learned it is basically if it has value to Chris, even if it has no value on the open market, then I'd still be, yeah, it could be sentimental value. Like we were teasing about his favorite spoon, you know, he had this little spoon here, it doesn't have much value on the open market, but it could have been like his mouth. Report an error in the passage at 59:27 Highlight the passage at 59:27

1:00:05 That one actually is a little bit easier, I think. Especially in that context, that was the easiest Report an error in the passage at 1:00:05 Highlight the passage at 1:00:05

1:00:14 one to break. Report an error in the passage at 1:00:14 Highlight the passage at 1:00:14

1:00:19 Killing, you have to kill a human, a human fetus. Sexual misconduct, you have to commit adultery. Lying, you have to lie about your spiritual attainment. So they're all fairly big, but stealing, it could just be Chris's spoon. It could be just... Or maybe you have your favorite shampoo and I'm over and I... Report an error in the passage at 1:00:19 Highlight the passage at 1:00:19

1:00:16 yeah yeah yeah I mean Report an error in the passage at 1:00:16 Highlight the passage at 1:00:16

1:00:44 Luxuriate with my long locks. You know, so I feel like in some ways that's the hardest one. Report an error in the passage at 1:00:44 Highlight the passage at 1:00:44

1:00:58 Then they throw in, and I didn't actually bring that up with you when we were talking about it. Report an error in the passage at 1:00:58 Highlight the passage at 1:00:58

1:01:09 When we take lay vows, then they sort of at the end, it's kind of a small print. I remember the first time I was like, I've never heard of that, but then they kind of sneak them in there. They assume that you're going to also avoid the remaining six-nine versions. Because other than intoxicants, these are all in ten non-virtues. The first three are the non-virtues of body, throw in lying, which is one non-virtue of speech. Report an error in the passage at 1:01:09 Highlight the passage at 1:01:09

1:01:40 There are three other non-virtues of speech, which they tack on in the tiny print, and then the three of mine. So the remaining six non-virtues are divisive speech, harsh speech, idle speech or idle talk, covetousness. Report an error in the passage at 1:01:40 Highlight the passage at 1:01:40

1:02:06 the whole reason is because causes our own suffering. Report an error in the passage at 1:02:06 Highlight the passage at 1:02:06

1:02:13 crazy about it. I have a question, but it applies to something you haven't even discussed yet, because I'm reading ahead on the notes. questions on those are on the... Report an error in the passage at 1:02:13 Highlight the passage at 1:02:13

1:02:33 You're not supposed to be. Those are the notes from the class. You don't have to read them ahead of the class. I just sent them to you. I was just kind of looking at it to go along with you, and it just jumped out at me. It's the last time I do that. Okay, so now we're going to talk about the preliminary practice of refuge. Report an error in the passage at 1:02:33 Highlight the passage at 1:02:33

1:02:58 Did you wait? Yes, stick. Report an error in the passage at 1:02:58 Highlight the passage at 1:02:58

1:03:03 I don't know if I talked about this Tuesday in this class, but what you avoid. like not associating closely for those who don't want to believe in the path Report an error in the passage at 1:03:03 Highlight the passage at 1:03:03

1:03:30 Everyone block the door, she's trying to get out of here. No, we talked about this on Tuesday night. It actually has to do with people that are anti your spiritual path and people that you are heavily influenced. It has more to do with protecting your spiritual path. If those people are related to you and you have to still get together with them, then there are a couple of which we also talked about. Report an error in the passage at 1:03:30 Highlight the passage at 1:03:30

1:04:03 You can look at it as, how can this benefit them? Report an error in the passage at 1:04:03 Highlight the passage at 1:04:03

1:04:15 If it was a benefit to her, another friend. It didn't feel like it would fit either of us, but it was a choice. Report an error in the passage at 1:04:15 Highlight the passage at 1:04:15

1:04:28 You can look at it in other ways. You can kind of just do things like Report an error in the passage at 1:04:28 Highlight the passage at 1:04:28

1:04:35 talk to them about their lives and get the spotlight off. Report an error in the passage at 1:04:35 Highlight the passage at 1:04:35

1:04:45 But it's more about if people have a heavy influence on you or Report an error in the passage at 1:04:45 Highlight the passage at 1:04:45

1:04:55 things that might Report an error in the passage at 1:04:55 Highlight the passage at 1:04:55

1:05:00 be spiritual. Report an error in the passage at 1:05:00 Highlight the passage at 1:05:00

1:05:08 But you might choose to. I mean, not your family or anything. Let me just change my voice here. Can we re-title that? Report an error in the passage at 1:05:08 Highlight the passage at 1:05:08

1:05:22 I mean, there might be, like in those situations, I wouldn't have necessarily thought that I would. Report an error in the passage at 1:05:22 Highlight the passage at 1:05:22

1:05:39 Certain people that just like that. Yeah, a future boss or something, you just have to work on, like, or your mom or your family. Report an error in the passage at 1:05:39 Highlight the passage at 1:05:39

1:05:50 So then that's a whole other cause. But, but yeah, then you just work on being with that person as a way of developing, or being with that person as a way of trying to get back, or developing your patience. Yeah, I mean, there's. Tons of tools in the toolbox that you can work on if you can't find your husband or two. Report an error in the passage at 1:05:50 Highlight the passage at 1:05:50

1:06:16 Yeah. And that happens too. Yeah, I mean that happens too. So, yeah. It's not, there's never like one right answer in Buddhism. It's always like you use your own wisdom. But there's a lot of different possibilities. It just sounds so different from the issue that was saying it. Report an error in the passage at 1:06:16 Highlight the passage at 1:06:16

1:06:37 I know, that's why I liked it. It was like very... And then it's like, we just took it. That's what I like to go through it with. And he usually teaches longer on those. He didn't teach us longer. But that's why I like to go over it with people who are taking refuge. And so that's why I ask everybody Report an error in the passage at 1:06:37 Highlight the passage at 1:06:37

1:07:03 so that you know. The thing that Chris was saying is that he felt so much more confident when that one in particular, wasn't it, came up. And my roommate is Catholic. Report an error in the passage at 1:07:03 Highlight the passage at 1:07:03

1:07:14 Strongly Catholic. Remember you sitting next to me. And so he felt ready in case that was a problem that he could discuss it with him. Report an error in the passage at 1:07:14 Highlight the passage at 1:07:14

1:07:27 By the way, so he actually kind of understood where Geshehah was coming from when he told everybody, if you want to joke, go outside. Because he respects that it was a serious thing. Because he's usually the Catholics. They're more serious than we are. But it's funny because in a lot of ways, Report an error in the passage at 1:07:27 Highlight the passage at 1:07:27

1:07:54 Definitely not in everywhere, but in a lot of ways there's a lot of similarities between the two. And so he's just totally cool with it. And that's to say thank you for it. Report an error in the passage at 1:07:54 Highlight the passage at 1:07:54

1:08:10 Okay, so let's talk about this really quick and then we'll have our break and watch our movie. I'm not sure how many of you would ever do this practice. I found it very, very profound. I did this practice, preliminary practice of refuge up in Laudo, which is in the Everest region. of Nepal and decided to go there to do this retreat. Report an error in the passage at 1:08:10 Highlight the passage at 1:08:10

1:08:34 So first, let me back up a little bit. There are nine preliminary practices. There are preliminary practices in all the different schools of Tibetan Buddhism that you do the practices as a way of preparing your mind for the higher practices, especially Tantra. Report an error in the passage at 1:08:34 Highlight the passage at 1:08:34

1:08:54 They're slightly different in each of the traditions in terms of which ones and how many, but within the Golubba tradition, There are nine. And I'll just, now you all have the notes. What's the point of me even teaching it? Report an error in the passage at 1:08:54 Highlight the passage at 1:08:54

1:09:14 Frustrations. Frustrations is the first one. Usually you do 100,000. Traditionally you do 100,000 of each. Report an error in the passage at 1:09:14 Highlight the passage at 1:09:14

1:09:26 100,000 of frustrations. Vajrasattva. So you got a little taste of that. Did you keep track of having Report an error in the passage at 1:09:26 Highlight the passage at 1:09:26

1:09:41 true ice keeping? know what's up. Report an error in the passage at 1:09:41 Highlight the passage at 1:09:41

1:09:11 Frustrating. Report an error in the passage at 1:09:11 Highlight the passage at 1:09:11

1:09:42 It's kind of hard, isn't it? Yeah, you realize that. Yeah, I realized that when I went to France, actually, usually I have counters. There are counters that you can actually hook onto your mantra. Report an error in the passage at 1:09:42 Highlight the passage at 1:09:42

1:09:54 In France, of course, I just, I didn't think it was presence of mind. And so I ended up getting stones in their shop that had little, like, gemstones. And so each ten, I would use one collar Report an error in the passage at 1:09:54 Highlight the passage at 1:09:54

1:10:13 much faster than a bodhicitta. Report an error in the passage at 1:10:13 Highlight the passage at 1:10:13

1:10:18 But yeah, there's loads of ways that you can keep it. so good to say. Report an error in the passage at 1:10:18 Highlight the passage at 1:10:18

1:10:24 You can see how long that would take. Usually it takes about three months. Report an error in the passage at 1:10:24 Highlight the passage at 1:10:24

1:10:33 A three month retreat. Usually it's continuous. You could do it, you can split it up. Report an error in the passage at 1:10:33 Highlight the passage at 1:10:33

1:10:44 When you said three months, I was like, 24 hours a day for three months. Oh no, like four sessions a day. You did two sessions a day. Report an error in the passage at 1:10:44 Highlight the passage at 1:10:44

1:10:55 In the retreats that I've done, you usually do four sessions a day. They're usually about two hour sessions. And then there's sometimes a makeup session. Report an error in the passage at 1:10:55 Highlight the passage at 1:10:55

1:11:05 If you had to guess, how many would you guess we might do? We did over 100. We were doing between 40 and 50 the first session. And then we do them to ourselves silently. Yeah, when you're doing them silently, you're definitely going much faster. And then when we do them again, it would be the same number we got. Because you're chanting them, you're definitely not. But what you're getting when you're chanting them is how to pronounce it. Report an error in the passage at 1:11:05 Highlight the passage at 1:11:05

1:11:34 And then when you take off on your own. And it's beautiful to hear. It was great for us to hear. kitchen is totally my kitchen. Yeah. Yeah, just kind of build the house, you know. The other residents were talking about that. Report an error in the passage at 1:11:34 Highlight the passage at 1:11:34

1:11:53 Refuge is the third. Report an error in the passage at 1:11:53 Highlight the passage at 1:11:53

1:12:00 Mandala, offering the mandala. For those of you who saw the mandala sets, have you guys seen, people seen? It's like a 3D. Mandala is just talking about the universe, basically. And when we offer the mandalas, what we're doing is offering like a wee version of, and all things crush it. Report an error in the passage at 1:12:00 Highlight the passage at 1:12:00

1:12:23 Good thing, because I got 200,000. Guru Yoga Mantra. Report an error in the passage at 1:12:23 Highlight the passage at 1:12:23

1:12:32 These are discussed more in the 14th module. Water bowls. Report an error in the passage at 1:12:32 Highlight the passage at 1:12:32

1:12:45 Does that mean like 100,000 bowls of water or offering like 7 bowls 100,000 times? No, 100,000 bowls of water. Although, if you get that one, Janshup, Venerable Janshup at Vajrapane has been doing these water bowl retreats and Rinpoche is allowing them to do, I think it's all the bowls that they offer times the number of people. Report an error in the passage at 1:12:45 Highlight the passage at 1:12:45

1:13:11 So they're actually getting quite a few more out of the retreat than if I know. It filled up after that one came through. Report an error in the passage at 1:13:11 Highlight the passage at 1:13:11

1:13:24 Satsas is another one. Satsas are the little tiny Lama Tsongkhapas that are around the room. You might see them. They look like little tiny statues in a way. Traditionally they've been made of clay. You just have a mold and you put that in there. They're representations of that. Satsang Mooji Report an error in the passage at 1:13:24 Highlight the passage at 1:13:24

1:13:42 Now we get a little bit more fine art and there's a place called the Satsa Studio where you can go and like make them there. That mummum started, by the way. Because he got 400,000 owed. So Satsa's. Dorji Kadra Fire Buja Frames. Report an error in the passage at 1:13:42 Highlight the passage at 1:13:42

1:14:01 Which the version that we did with the Karma class was a very simplified version. You would also do that at a ritual. Dorji Kadra. Report an error in the passage at 1:14:01 Highlight the passage at 1:14:01

1:14:16 And the final one is Damsik Dorji. Report an error in the passage at 1:14:16 Highlight the passage at 1:14:16

1:14:24 You have it waiting. Report an error in the passage at 1:14:24 Highlight the passage at 1:14:24

1:14:30 So you're Report an error in the passage at 1:14:30 Highlight the passage at 1:14:30

1:14:42 purifying Report an error in the passage at 1:14:42 Highlight the passage at 1:14:42

1:14:48 all of them. Report an error in the passage at 1:14:48 Highlight the passage at 1:14:48

1:14:54 So interestingly, in our tradition, meaning in the FPMT version of the Galipa, students of Lama Zopa who go to him and ask, he gives all over the place. The numbers he gives are all over the place. For example, for refuge, I only had 8,000. For module, I had 200,000. For bodhicitta, I had 140,000, which I think is neat. And then he doesn't give you all of Report an error in the passage at 1:14:54 Highlight the passage at 1:14:54

1:15:35 them. It's a little more unusual. So because I had 8,000 to do, which I thought was a lot, but it really wasn't very much, it ended up I was able to do very leisurely in like four or five days. I set it up like a retreat and I tried to stay in silence. His sister would come down and call me in for tea every day. I finally just gave up. Report an error in the passage at 1:15:35 Highlight the passage at 1:15:35

1:15:58 um but um Anyway, it's all very well described. There's a book that's called Luminary Practice. Report an error in the passage at 1:15:58 Highlight the passage at 1:15:58

1:16:16 And then Lama Zopa also gives a lot of commentary on it in Ganden Legime, 100 Deities, which actually gives detailed instruction on all the Luminaries. Report an error in the passage at 1:16:16 Highlight the passage at 1:16:16

1:16:30 So, briefly, what you're ending up doing is spending time with each of the, there's actually four jewels, and Report an error in the passage at 1:16:30 Highlight the passage at 1:16:30

1:16:47 you end up spending, you start out setting up a merit field. Report an error in the passage at 1:16:47 Highlight the passage at 1:16:47

1:16:58 And then you recite the one part of the refuge prayer that relates to that one. For example, Namagrobya. In Sanskrit, the refuge prayer comes Report an error in the passage at 1:16:58 Highlight the passage at 1:16:58

1:17:17 out as Namagrobya, Namabuddhya, Namadharmiya, Namasangya. That's the easiest one. Because then you just do it like a mantra. Namagrobya. Report an error in the passage at 1:17:17 Highlight the passage at 1:17:17

1:17:30 And as you do it, then you think about all the negative actions that you've done in relation. relationship to that particular one the jewels. So you think about in the times that maybe you broke commitments to your teacher or any time you disturbed Report an error in the passage at 1:17:30 Highlight the passage at 1:17:30

1:17:48 critical of them or in this life or in the So you just kind of remember all the mistakes you've made and all Report an error in the passage at 1:17:48 Highlight the passage at 1:17:48

1:18:08 And the same thing with the Buddha, so you think about all the times that maybe you looked at the statue. Report an error in the passage at 1:18:08 Highlight the passage at 1:18:08

1:18:24 All the time that you might have in the past, if not in this life, Report an error in the passage at 1:18:24 Highlight the passage at 1:18:24

1:18:33 Buddha statues and way appropriate, like someone straight for rent money. I remember in one group that I was in, this woman said that her first view of the statue was because her mom used to come on some doorstop. Report an error in the passage at 1:18:33 Highlight the passage at 1:18:33

1:18:51 Like that, or broke any of your refuge commitments and relationships. And then you do the same, you visualize that, purifying all of them while you're reciting them. For the Dharma, you think about all the ways that maybe you were sectarian, you know, pitting a group against another, criticizing them. Report an error in the passage at 1:18:51 Highlight the passage at 1:18:51

1:19:21 Thinking that, you know, making fun of the glyphos for all their lists. I do do that in jest in some ways, but I definitely think that there are reasons for all those lists. I appreciate them now. Report an error in the passage at 1:19:21 Highlight the passage at 1:19:21

1:19:35 Or not taking care of your texts, seeing them as just ordinary books or even ordinary luggage and putting them on the floor or other ways that we might have broken those commitments, the refuge commitments. Report an error in the passage at 1:19:35 Highlight the passage at 1:19:35

1:19:50 Or the biggest one of all the refuge commitments is others, potentially harming others. So really thinking about the ways that you've intentionally harmed others. If you can't do any of the rest of these, you can think of all the ways you've intentionally harmed others. Report an error in the passage at 1:19:50 Highlight the passage at 1:19:50

1:20:08 I like that. Report an error in the passage at 1:20:08 Highlight the passage at 1:20:08

1:20:12 And then for the Saṅgha, thinking about all the ways you may have either complained about or criticized Saṅgha and individual monks and nuns, criticized them, got angry with them, abused them, maybe not in this life but in the past life. Report an error in the passage at 1:20:12 Highlight the passage at 1:20:12

1:20:35 We've abused the monks and nuns that are happening for Report an error in the passage at 1:20:35 Highlight the passage at 1:20:35

1:20:41 sure. Stealing monks and nuns. Possessions, you know, without asking permission. Or any of the ways that you may have degenerated any of the refuge commitments that you have taken that have to do with the Saṅgha. And that's the one about not relying on the influence or Report an error in the passage at 1:20:41 Highlight the passage at 1:20:41

1:21:08 respecting anyone. And each time you're imagining purifying. So there's like two parts, like half of it. Say you were doing like a mala of Nama Budiya or Nama Dharma or whatever. a good question. Report an error in the passage at 1:21:08 Highlight the passage at 1:21:08

· · · silence, 1 minute

1:21:21 You do like half the mala or half the session, you're purifying and half the session you're receiving all the qualities. And while you're receiving the qualities, you're reading up on what those qualities are. So actually what ends up happening is by the end of, for me it was like four or five days, my refuge was stronger simply because I knew what it was based on. Report an error in the passage at 1:21:21 Highlight the passage at 1:21:21

1:21:43 I mean it sounds like it's not magic, you know, it's just simply, it's reinforcing my knowledge of what the qualities are. And also my role. Report an error in the passage at 1:21:43 Highlight the passage at 1:21:43

1:21:58 It's actually really beautiful. And it's possible to do this even just like I had to spend Report an error in the passage at 1:21:58 Highlight the passage at 1:21:58

1:22:11 time with these qualities that we've talked about, thinking about them in this way. But as you might have discovered, or as any of you might have discovered, Report an error in the passage at 1:22:11 Highlight the passage at 1:22:11

1:22:26 and you are doing the mantra recitation, there's something about that skillful means. It's like because you're reciting and even if you are reading what you're allowed to do when you're doing it. We are allowed to read Lama even. Report an error in the passage at 1:22:26 Highlight the passage at 1:22:26

1:22:51 Something happens where it kind of enters in in this really interesting, non-conceptual way. So even though it seems like you're sort of studying a little bit about whether Report an error in the passage at 1:22:51 Highlight the passage at 1:22:51

1:23:05 it's very... Report an error in the passage at 1:23:05 Highlight the passage at 1:23:05

1:23:09 And for me to have done this particular little retreat at Rinpoche's birth play, Past Life Re-Encourage. Report an error in the passage at 1:23:09 Highlight the passage at 1:23:09

1:23:30 And I wanted to just end this part of the past before we take a break and end with the video. Geshe-la, of course, right before I'm teaching anything, he always ends up saying something about himself. Useful for me to throw in as a quote, but at the end of the Shantideva class a couple of weeks ago, he mentioned something about refuge, and a couple of things about refuge that I thought were useful. Report an error in the passage at 1:23:30 Highlight the passage at 1:23:30

1:23:54 One was he said, recalling the qualities of the objects of refuge, that they are a sound refuge, and therefore it strengthens you. If you have faith and conviction in their power, therefore, Report an error in the passage at 1:23:54 Highlight the passage at 1:23:54

1:24:17 if you wait until you die, you will be let down. If you familiarize yourself daily with the practice Report an error in the passage at 1:24:17 Highlight the passage at 1:24:17

1:24:26 of refuge, And then at the end, I said someone, it was Pete. Someone asked him, since death is certain and the time of death is uncertain, what are the main practices to do? Report an error in the passage at 1:24:26 Highlight the passage at 1:24:26

1:24:40 And he said, the first one he said was work on it, really solidify it and strengthen it and learn to adhere to it. Report an error in the passage at 1:24:40 Highlight the passage at 1:24:40

1:24:54 And then, if possible, he said, then add the three principles, the Report an error in the passage at 1:24:54 Highlight the passage at 1:24:54

1:25:03 way he described renunciation, developing the strong feeling that this life isn't all. Bodhicitta, developing the mind Report an error in the passage at 1:25:03 Highlight the passage at 1:25:03

1:25:15 to develop the proper. Report an error in the passage at 1:25:15 Highlight the passage at 1:25:15

1:25:19 And then finally he said, at least lessen your self-preoccupation or self-cherishing and do good for and to others as much as you can. And if you're not able, at least try not to harm them. So, witches of course. Report an error in the passage at 1:25:19 Highlight the passage at 1:25:19

1:25:53 I got lost on my practice. Is that okay? Preliminary before you take refuge? Are you supposed to find Lama? Oh yeah, you have to do all of those. Chrissy's like dropping out tonight. No, I mean the way I look at them actually is lifelong practices to be perfectly honest. Report an error in the passage at 1:25:53 Highlight the passage at 1:25:53

1:26:11 Traditionally they were practices that were done before we would even consider entering tantra. Most of us have bypassed that a wee bit. Report an error in the passage at 1:26:11 Highlight the passage at 1:26:11

1:26:21 And taking tantra earlier than perhaps we should have. So the way I look at it is lifelong practices. I would highly suggest that if you do want to do preliminary practices, you do your frustrations sooner rather than later. What happened to me is that I'm probably not going to do 80,000 done. Report an error in the passage at 1:26:21 Highlight the passage at 1:26:21

1:26:47 Yeah, so no, they are to prepare the mind basically for tantra, but for any of the higher practices and including in that. Report an error in the passage at 1:26:47 Highlight the passage at 1:26:47

1:27:01 But no, not for... I think you have to have a fair amount of refuse to even start every practice to catch 22. Report an error in the passage at 1:27:01 Highlight the passage at 1:27:01

1:27:14 That's a very good question too. I'll pay you later. Report an error in the passage at 1:27:14 Highlight the passage at 1:27:14

1:27:29 Usually you ask your teacher, and who would that teacher be? Yeah, it's true. I mean, I think you kind of know when you either are at the point where you really want to get started in your preliminary practices, sometimes people come to the center with that in mind, which I'm kind of surprised by, you know. Report an error in the passage at 1:27:29 Highlight the passage at 1:27:29

1:27:58 And sometimes you recognize your teacher first, so it's one or the other. And then sometimes people study for a bit, and then when they're ready to do their first, they don't necessarily want the full list, they just want to start with the first. Report an error in the passage at 1:27:58 Highlight the passage at 1:27:58

1:28:19 Yeah, with... Rinpoche, I think mostly because he gets so many requests, student requests, Report an error in the passage at 1:28:19 Highlight the passage at 1:28:19

1:28:30 they've gotten more and more organized about it. At the time that I got mine, I still have it, I can refer to it, my friend was actually his son, so he went and got it for me. Report an error in the passage at 1:28:30 Highlight the passage at 1:28:30

1:28:51 So he just wrote it all down, so it's all in Brian's handwriting and you know, very, you know, and then he's like writing at the side. Oh yeah, and then another piece of paper, you know. Now they have like this sort of form. And it's like, you know, it probably makes the life easier. Filling it all in and has the quantity and when by and, you know, other things that he'll suddenly come up with out of the blue, like, you know, for this one or something like that. Report an error in the passage at 1:28:51 Highlight the passage at 1:28:51

1:29:23 Like, he'll just throw it. Report an error in the passage at 1:29:23 Highlight the passage at 1:29:23

1:29:27 So we've gotten much more. Geshello will usually give you one when you finish that. And he's very traditional. Stephen Butler, when he ran after, said you're the sound guy. Report an error in the passage at 1:29:27 Highlight the passage at 1:29:27

1:29:45 Are you the A.B. guy? That's right. So he's a very strong disciple, and he went to Geshe-Lis. And Geshe-Lis said he had to do them on the same place, the same place, the same time every day, which meant, of course, he couldn't move. He managed to finish them off. He did prostration, so he told him he had to do 100 a day. Report an error in the passage at 1:29:45 Highlight the passage at 1:29:45

1:30:16 And if he went, for example, to His Holiness, Report an error in the passage at 1:30:16 Highlight the passage at 1:30:16

1:30:22 A group of us from the center, including Steven. Report an error in the passage at 1:30:22 Highlight the passage at 1:30:22

1:30:29 He could do all the frustrations he wanted, but none of them counted. And he did. He did tons of frustrations there. Rinpoche is a little easier going in that respect, but Report an error in the passage at 1:30:29 Highlight the passage at 1:30:29

1:30:48 he can also give you 5,000 or 1.2 million as he did with one guy. Wow. I know. The thing to remember with these, and we do talk about them a lot in the 14th, the 14th module is actually an experiential module and you're doing some experiential practices. but I of devised a couple classes to deal with them to answer questions like this. The thing to remember is that they all are just really, really skillful ways to work Report an error in the passage at 1:30:48 Highlight the passage at 1:30:48

1:31:17 we get caught up in the West a numbers, but the process of doing them... so, literally I remember, think I've been He completely Report an error in the passage at 1:31:17 Highlight the passage at 1:31:17

1:31:38 freaked Report an error in the passage at 1:31:38 Highlight the passage at 1:31:38

1:31:44 out and I was just like, just start. Like, what does it matter? What else are you going to do with the rest of your life? Just start. Just figure out you're going to do like a little daily practice with this and just see what happens. And it's complete routine. He's just, Report an error in the passage at 1:31:44 Highlight the passage at 1:31:44

1:32:02 that's it. I mean, the same with the guy who cut the 1.9. He just takes off everyone. Report an error in the passage at 1:32:02 Highlight the passage at 1:32:02

1:32:16 Anyway, let's take a break. And I'm going to plug this in and somebody can cut the pie. Report an error in the passage at 1:32:16 Highlight the passage at 1:32:16

1:32:24 It's not so exciting. I didn't make it. Report an error in the passage at 1:32:24 Highlight the passage at 1:32:24

1:32:33 Inherently from its own side. Eric, Report an error in the passage at 1:32:33 Highlight the passage at 1:32:33

1:33:03 can you organize or maybe Gina? Would you be up for organizing the cutting? Sure. We're Report an error in the passage at 1:33:03 Highlight the passage at 1:33:03

1:33:15 going to go off mic now, so then we can talk about whatever we want. Report an error in the passage at 1:33:15 Highlight the passage at 1:33:15

1:33:24 See if I can have a mic. Report an error in the passage at 1:33:24 Highlight the passage at 1:33:24

1:33:29 I'm so happy to get rid of piles and piles of Dharma. Okay. So don't forget to dedicate listeners at home. We're going offline. Report an error in the passage at 1:33:29 Highlight the passage at 1:33:29