WORDS OF WISDOM AUTHOR: KHENPO TSULTRIM LODRO

One needs to make a strenuous effort in the Ngöndro Practices, it may take three or five years, or even longer. One should not hasten to seek results. The process is vital, one needs to engage in solid practice methodically. Some of Patrul Rinpoche’s students had practiced Ngöndro over ten or twenty times, eventually all of them attained enlightenment. We need to meet all criteria of attaining enlightenment through practicing Ngöndro. Our mind is so turbulent and our defilements are so severe, without the power of Ngöndro, it’s impossible for us to attain enlightenment.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Manjushri is the embodiment of wisdom of buddhas and bodhisattvas. The sword he holds in his right hand doesn’t aim at any sentient beings, rather, it aims at sentient beings’ ignorance, which leads to endless suffering and ruining one’s own happiness.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

What does lineage mean? It means a line of transmission of the dharma that is handed down by lineage masters such as Shakyamuni Buddha, Guru Rinpoche, etc. It’s a pure line of transmission of the dharma like the running river without stop. These lineages contain intangible blessings of lineage masters which can only be experienced in the process of practice; this is vital for our practice, thus it’s best to seek a pure lineage before one engages in tantric practice.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

In our everyday life, when getting irritated and anxious, we need to stop to investigate what exactly make us upset? Our body is void of thinking, being free from the concept of happiness and unhappiness. It’s the consciousness which give rise to defilements. Then what exactly is consciousness? By reflecting as such, we might reach a state of realisation.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

As one begins to practice, I hope one does not practice too many sadhanas, but just focus on renunciation and bodhicitta. If renunciation and bodhicitta is practiced occasionally, then it is not enough. One must deeply experience a steady sense of renunciation and bodhicitta to qualify as a practitioner of liberation. Once the foundation for these two have been established, then we can consider practicing other sadhanas.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

The Buddha told his disciples: it’s clinging to any objects that will become obstacles to liberation, not the value of the clung objects. At the time of death, if a rich person can distribute his assets properly, which leaves him with no attachment to his assets, the assets will not become obstacles to his liberation. To the contrary, even if one’s assets are not abundant, if one clings to them, then the assets will become obstacles to one’s liberation.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

What is worrying is that many who receive empowerment today do not emphasize the secret mantra vehicle vow. Those requesting empowerment do not even know these vows are required for the empowerment. So they think once they receive empowerment, everything will be great. The fact is, once one receives empowerment, the difficulty is in maintaining the secret mantra vehicle vow.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

Through the practice of Nadi, prana, and bindu, having dispelled discursive thoughts, the nature of mind will surface. Based on this, one needs to proceed to practice with the pith instructions of one’s lama. Without such instructions, even the manifestation of the nature of mind will not be stabilised.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES

The more vain one is, the more hollow one feels in one’s mind. This vicious circle results in filling the hollowness of mind with vainness. In fact, feeling hollow in one’s mind is tremendous suffering. Although being wealthy, many people are tormented by the hollowness of their mind and their wealth cannot bring any happiness to them.

~Depicted from LUMINOUS WISDOM BOOK SERIES