Lama Zopa Rinpoche discusses the significance of engaging in wholesome actions that bring peace and happiness to oneself and others. The key to achieving this is by subduing and taming the mind, by protecting it from negative emotions such as self-cherishing, anger, jealousy, and pride. A selfish mind will not lead to happiness and success in life, but rather it will cause problems and make enemies everywhere. Protecting the mind and cultivating positive emotions is essential to living a fulfilling and happy life.

A good way of benefiting oneself is to practice bodhichitta. Rinpoche uses the example of a wish-granting jewel, which can fulfill all material needs but cannot stop reincarnation in lower realms, achieve a higher rebirth, or lead to enlightenment. But by practicing morality for the sake of sentient beings, one can achieve liberation from all sufferings and experience everlasting happiness. Therefore, one should regard every sentient being as precious and practice bodhichitta in daily life.

Rinpoche shares inspiring stories of his personal journey and encounters with great practitioners, and talks about the courage required to practice the Dharma. He also explains the qualities and abilities of bodhisattvas at different stages of realization, and their immense capacity to benefit sentient beings.

Meditating on the path and cultivating the three principles of renunciation, bodhichitta, and right view is extremely important. By studying and practicing the Dharma, one can develop higher realizations and have the ability to benefit sentient beings on an unimaginable scale. We need to train our minds in virtue and follow the path diligently. With this precious human rebirth we have the good fortune of possessing the eight freedoms and ten richnesses, which grant us the perfect conditions to engage in spiritual practice and attain liberation from the cycle of suffering.

Rinpoche discusses the incomparable worth of the Four Noble Truths, the Mahayana teachings and the tremendous loss incurred by not practicing them. He reminds us of the preciousness of our human body and the opportunities it presents, urging us not to waste time and to fully comprehend the immeasurable benefits that can be attained. We need to truly comprehend the preciousness of our existence and the extraordinary good we can accomplish for ourselves and all sentient beings.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche delivered these teachings at Tara Institute in Melbourne on June 2 and 3, 2006, as part of a broader tour across Australia, which also included a month-long retreat in Adelaide.

These teachings were given in Tara Institute, Melbourne in 2006. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche at https://fpmt.org

Lama Zopa Rinpoche discusses the significance of engaging in wholesome actions that bring peace and happiness to oneself and others. The key to achieving this is by subduing and taming the mind, by protecting it from negative emotions such as self-cherishing, anger, jealousy, and pride. A selfish mind will not lead to happiness and success in life, but rather it will cause problems and make enemies everywhere. Protecting the mind and cultivating positive emotions is essential to living a fulfilling and happy life.

A good way of benefiting oneself is to practice bodhichitta. Rinpoche uses the example of a wish-granting jewel, which can fulfill all material needs but cannot stop reincarnation in lower realms, achieve a higher rebirth, or lead to enlightenment. But by practicing morality for the sake of sentient beings, one can achieve liberation from all sufferings and experience everlasting happiness. Therefore, one should regard every sentient being as precious and practice bodhichitta in daily life.

Rinpoche shares inspiring stories of his personal journey and encounters with great practitioners, and talks about the courage required to practice the Dharma. He also explains the qualities and abilities of bodhisattvas at different stages of realization, and their immense capacity to benefit sentient beings.

Meditating on the path and cultivating the three principles of renunciation, bodhichitta, and right view is extremely important. By studying and practicing the Dharma, one can develop higher realizations and have the ability to benefit sentient beings on an unimaginable scale. We need to train our minds in virtue and follow the path diligently. With this precious human rebirth we have the good fortune of possessing the eight freedoms and ten richnesses, which grant us the perfect conditions to engage in spiritual practice and attain liberation from the cycle of suffering.

Rinpoche discusses the incomparable worth of the Four Noble Truths, the Mahayana teachings and the tremendous loss incurred by not practicing them. He reminds us of the preciousness of our human body and the opportunities it presents, urging us not to waste time and to fully comprehend the immeasurable benefits that can be attained. We need to truly comprehend the preciousness of our existence and the extraordinary good we can accomplish for ourselves and all sentient beings.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche delivered these teachings at Tara Institute in Melbourne on June 2 and 3, 2006, as part of a broader tour across Australia, which also included a month-long retreat in Adelaide.

These teachings were given in Tara Institute, Melbourne in 2006. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche at https://fpmt.org

Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave this teaching at Tara Institute, Melbourne on June 2, 2006. In this first part Lama Zopa Rinpoche touched on the topics such as emptiness according to Svatantrika view, the unification of emptiness and dependent arising and searching for real I. He recounted the history of how Lama Atisha came to Tibet and how to integrate three levels of teachings.

You can see all the teachings from this event here: https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/lama-zopa-rinpoche-teachings-in-tara-institute-2006/

Lama Zopa Rinpoche says that if you are only seeking the happiness of this life, then you haven’t reached any of the three capacities of the lamrim. The attitude of just seeking the power, reputation, and wealth of this life is an ordinary capable being, not a special capable being. This is not different from the animals and insects.

Rinpoche emphasizes that the meditations for the graduate path of the lower capable being (the eight freedoms and ten richnesses, the great meaning and difficulty to find again, impermanence and death, the lower realm sufferings, karma) are very important for the success of actualizing the whole path. Without these foundations, you can’t have the next realizations, renunciation and bodhicitta. Without bodhicitta, you have no door to enter the Mahayana path to enlightenment, so you can’t complete the tantric path. Therefore, these meditations are the foundation for all those other paths.

Rinpoche describes the eight freedoms and ten richnesses. He urges us to reflect on these points. By doing so, we will realize that we must practice Dharma immediately. Rinpoche says that these meditations will give us hope and courage to defeat the eight worldly dharmas.

Rinpoche bestows the lung of the mahamudra root text and ends the session with an extensive dedication prayer and multiplying mantras.

From April 10 to May 10, 2004, Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave extensive teachings during the Mahamudra Retreat at Buddha House in Australia. While the retreat focused on Mahamudra, Rinpoche also taught on a wide range of Lamrim topics. This retreat marked the beginning of a series of month-long retreats in Australia. Subsequent retreats were held in 2011, 2014, and 2018, hosted by the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion in Bendigo.

Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave this teaching at Tara Institute, Melbourne on June 2, 2006. In this first part Lama Zopa Rinpoche touched on the topics such as emptiness according to Svatantrika view, the unification of emptiness and dependent arising and searching for real I. He recounted the history of how Lama Atisha came to Tibet and how to integrate three levels of teachings.

You can see all the teachings from this event here:

https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/lama-zopa-rinpoche-teachings-in-tara-institute-2006/

Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave this teaching at Tara Institute, Melbourne on June 2, 2006. In this first part Lama Zopa Rinpoche touched on the topics such as emptiness according to Svatantrika view, the unification of emptiness and dependent arising and searching for real I. He recounted the history of how Lama Atisha came to Tibet and how to integrate three levels of teachings.

You can see all the teachings from this event here:

https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/lama-zopa-rinpoche-teachings-in-tara-institute-2006/

Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave this teaching at Tara Institute, Melbourne on June 2, 2006. In this first part Lama Zopa Rinpoche touched on the topics such as emptiness according to Svatantrika view, the unification of emptiness and dependent arising and searching for real I. He recounted the history of how Lama Atisha came to Tibet and how to integrate three levels of teachings.

You can see all the teachings from this event here:

https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/lama-zopa-rinpoche-teachings-in-tara-institute-2006/

Lama Zopa Rinpoche talks about purifying negative karma in two ways. Firstly, through the power of regretting negative actions, as that helps purify our negative karma and defilements. This regret should focus on acknowledging and repenting the negative actions, rather than regretting positive actions. Secondly, viewing negative actions as empty, recognizing that they lack inherent existence and are merely labelled by the mind. This realization aids in purifying negative karma by revealing the illusory nature of these actions.

The Western perception of regret as negative arises from a lack of understanding of Dharma. In reality, regretting negative actions is a positive practice that contributes to achieving happiness and enlightenment. Rinpoche further discusses how our own mind serves as the root cause of both happiness and suffering. Negative thoughts and delusions generate negative karma and lead to suffering, while positive thoughts and actions create positive karma and bring happiness. Even external pleasures depend on one's mind and karma. By cultivating positive and healthy thoughts through Buddhism and meditation, we can attain peace and happiness for ourselves and others. Applying mindfulness and meditation throughout daily life is crucial to overcoming negative emotions and engaging in positive actions, leading to immediate effects on our well-being.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche shares a story about how he threw stones at a bush that people believed was inhabited by a naga, and how shortly after, he developed a pimple on his face that turned into a spreading infection. This experience strengthened his faith in the existence of nagas and their ability to harm those who harm them.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche tells another story about a mother who asked her son to bring her Buddha's relics but he forgot and picked up a dog bone on his way back. The mother believed it was a relic and her devotion caused the actual relic to manifest. Similarly, if someone recites Rinpoche's name mantra with pure thought and faith, even if Rinpoche himself has no qualities, that person will receive benefits. The mantra should be recited with guru devotion and the understanding that the disciple's mind and the guru's mind are one. By reciting the mantra with this attitude, one can receive blessings and benefit from it.

This teaching was given at Institut Vajra Yogini, France as part of a Four Kadampa Deities Retreat from April 18-May 11, 2003. You can see all the teachings from this retreat here:

https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/4-kadam-deities-2003/

Just as a bank multiplies your money, bodhichitta multiplies your merit, and not just by a little, but by leaps and bounds! With each thought of benefiting others, your merit becomes limitless because the number of beings you wish to help is also boundless. Even the slightest intention to heal the headaches of sentient beings accumulates inconceivable merit. But when you actively strive to eliminate their suffering and bring them happiness, the merit skyrockets—like hitting the jackpot! Reciting the Twenty-one Tara praises with bodhichitta is equivalent to reciting them a hundred thousand times while offering a single butter lamp with bodhichitta yields the merit of a hundred thousand light offerings. It's like a mega bonus!

Bodhichitta is like a treasure trove of merit, as Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo beautifully explained. It holds limitless skies of merit within your reach! Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains that when reciting mantras with bodhichitta, each mantra becomes a powerhouse of merit, benefiting every sentient being—including the smallest insects, the tigers, snakes, and even our enemies. There's no discrimination—it covers all races and all living beings. Bodhichitta encompasses countless insects, animals, and all living beings in forests, fields, and skies who endure immense suffering.

By generating bodhichitta, we are planting seeds that bring us closer to its realization. Every action we undertake with the motivation of bodhichitta benefits countless sentient beings, supporting their happiness and well-being. Its scope is vast, embracing all beings in all universes, from the tiniest to the largest, providing hope and relief to even those who have committed unspeakable acts of cruelty.

We should reflect on the immense power of bodhichitta, a force capable of transforming the world and alleviating the suffering of countless beings. Through cultivating compassion, wisdom, and realization, we can offer increasingly profound benefits to others and ultimately guide them from happiness to enlightenment.

Bodhichitta is the door to the Mahayana path of enlightenment, and by embracing it, we can unlock the qualities admired by all Buddhas. With bodhichitta, we embark on the journey of becoming buddhas ourselves, bringing happiness and freedom from suffering to every single sentient being. By taking universal responsibility for their well-being, we can actualize the highest potential within ourselves.

This teaching was given at Institut Vajra Yogini, France as part of a Four Kadampa Deities Retreat from April 18-May 11, 2003. You can see all the teachings from this retreat here:

https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/4-kadam-deities-2003/

We should be motivated beyond personal interests and aspire to enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. Wisdom is crucial to discern the best ways to help others. Self-cherishing and wrong views are the root of suffering; cultivating the correct view can lead to positive changes in our thoughts and actions.

Recognizing the interdependence of those involved in end-of-life situations is essential. Communication within families is vital to address responsibilities and roles that may change as a loved one nears the end. Respect for the beliefs and values of the dying person is crucial, focusing on their truth, courage, and positive aspects.

Reminiscing can be helpful, setting positive propensities for future lives. Physical touch, when appropriate, conveys comfort and love, even when speech is no longer possible. Three common issues arise when facing illness and death: reflecting on harm caused, love given, and letting go. Supporting and validating the dying person is essential, helping them release regrets and remember the love they've given and received.

Following a person's death, we should avoid harm, generate love and compassion, perform kind actions, and dedicate positive energy to their mind, aiding their journey and comforting grieving families. The state of mind at death impacts the experience; meditating on qualities like loving-kindness can guide the consciousness positively.

When a loved one passes, Lama Zopa Rinpoche advises against dwelling in sadness and encourages beneficial actions honoring the deceased's memory, such as acts of kindness or charity. Making offerings and dedications can help the deceased beyond death. Constructing holy objects like stupas, temples, and statues can purify negative karma and plant seeds of enlightenment for those who encounter them.

Happiness arises from the mind; purifying and accumulating merit leads to happiness and peace. Virtuous thoughts and actions are essential for positive results, benefiting both this life and future lives. Reciting mantras and prayers for healing and purification benefits others, especially those in pain. Lojong, the practice of taking on others' suffering, develops the mind, accumulates vast merit, and leads to the cessation of suffering.

Rinpoche shares stories of miraculous healings through external blessings. Not all sicknesses can be miraculously cured, as some are related to karmic imprints that need to be experienced. However, it is important to practice compassion and offer blessings to those who are suffering, as these actions accumulate merit and create positive energy in the world.

Rinpoche explains the existence of white and black devas and their influence on individuals' lives. Strong faith in Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, and good samaya vows can protect against harm by spirits. He shares an anecdote about spirits disrupting a retreatant's meditation, highlighting the importance of faith in protection.

This teaching was given at Institut Vajra Yogini, France as part of a Four Kadampa Deities Retreat from April 18-May 11, 2003. You can see all the teachings from this retreat here:

https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/4-kadam-deities-2003/