WORDS OF WISDOM AUTHOR: KHENPO TSULTRIM LODRO

In the Middle Way (Madhyamaka) school, there are two modes of existence: one is true existence, that is, things really exist; the other is nominal existence, that is, things exist from a conventional standpoint but not inherently. That which truly exists is called “self.”

The “self” in “self in person” connotes “I, me” to some extent, for instance, “I want to make money,” “I want to go to work,” “I want to have a good life,” “I want to have a long and healthy life,” etc. The “self” in “self in phenomena” is entirely different; it only denotes true existence.

- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Phenomena Lack Self-Existence"

Sentient beings in general, certainly the beings in hell and even the gods, do not have the opportunity to practice on the path of liberation. To establish a foundation for practice on the path of liberation, one must start in the human realm. Gods can also practice if they laid the basis of the practice in their previous life as a human being; thus, establishing this foundation in a previous life as a human is the only condition that governs whether they can continue to practice or not.

- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Contaminated Things are Unsatisfactory"

After contemplating on the nature of samsara, we will know samsara is full of suffering — if it is not suffering of suffering, it is suffering of change or all-pervasive suffering. The things people covet, such as wealth and position, are all temptations that are transitory and unreliable. Those who make the pursuit of material pleasures their only goal in life will likely experience despair, disappointment, and pain after contemplating suffering of samsara. On the other hand, in recognizing all of the above, we as practitioners should probe further and ask: is there no goal more worthwhile than the pursuit of wealth and position? Is there no accomplishment to be attained other than wealth and reputation? While these pursuits are not meaningful, it doesn’t mean life is meaningless. Apart from seeking high office and material riches, we also have a far greater and more precious aspiration which we didn’t know about until Sakyamuni Buddha pointed it out to us, that is, to attain liberation by following the path.

- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Contaminated Things are Unsatisfactory"

People usually believe an “enemy” is someone outside, a certain animal, a particular organization, etc. Buddhism asserts our real enemy is not outside; the most fearsome enemy is inside – it is our self-attachment.

- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Phenomena Lack Self-Existence"

Seeing contaminated things as unsatisfactory generates renunciation. Without renunciation, the entire effort we place on reciting the sutras, prostrating to the buddhas, burning incense, as well as practicing generosity, moral conduct, patience, etc. is no more than worldly activity. The best result we can expect is to avoid rebirth in the lower three realms and return as human beings or gods, all of which has nothing to do with liberation. However great our worldly blessings, we cannot transcend samsara.

- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Contaminated Things are Unsatisfactory"

Liberation is not a myth, but an objective and realistic goal to elevate the discriminating mind of ordinary people to the wisdom mind of the buddhas. To accomplish this grand aspiration, practitioners can forgo worldly pursuits such as fame and wealth; they are far-sighted and pro-active. Ordinary people are just the opposite; they lack vision, cannot see beyond this lifetime, and hence do their utmost to get ahead in this life only.

- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Contaminated Things are Unsatisfactory"

True Buddhist practitioners are not pessimists even though they look upon money and fame as things of little value. This is because they are fully aware their spiritual development is not impaired by the body’s physical decline; wisdom and compassion will always follow them like a shadow in old age and even in death. Awaiting them from afar is a state of clarity and bliss; thus, far from being defeatist, they are optimistic and full of confidence. Because they have this aspiration, they can practice tirelessly and without regret. We need not fear suffering nor lose hope; with effort, we can free ourselves from the shackles of samsara and attain absolute happiness.

- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Contaminated Things are Unsatisfactory"

Prior to understanding this point, we spend the entire day seeking material pleasures and placing all our hope and effort on building wealth; when we no longer see the significance in these activities, we become extremely despondent and think there is no meaning in life at all. This disappointment is not surprising since the lifestyle just mentioned is basically meaningless. There is, however, a path of liberation which gives us courage and allows us to realize: it is wrong to invest all my effort in material pursuit; my life has been totally meaningless up to now; I cannot continue to live the same way; I shall strive to attain liberation from this moment on.

- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Contaminated Things are Unsatisfactory"

The sutras define all-pervasive suffering as such: whether it exists or dissipates, one does not experience any suffering; nonetheless, it is called all-pervasive because it leads to other kinds of suffering.

All-pervasive suffering exists mainly in the form and formless realms. Sentient beings there do not experience notable suffering such as birth, aging, illness, and death, nor happiness such as good health and longevity. These beings are reborn in the form and formless realms because they attained meditative absorption in their previous life — a state of meditation which is inherently subtle and tranquil and which does not, as a result, produce any feeling of significance at the moment of rebirth. Although the form and formless realms do not have suffering or happiness, they are nevertheless impermanent; hence sentient beings there only experience all- pervasive suffering, not suffering of suffering or suffering of change.

- Quote from The Four Seals of Dhama, "All Contaminated Things are Unsatisfactory"