Glimpses of Nyingma Summer Seminar 2010 Series

[BFS]

From a talk this morning, the first day of NSS, preceding the lhasang:

"Respect and appreciation for the bigger vision of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
has to be our core. However much we admit that we are distracted most of the time, even from our presence of mind, we can maintain this respect. The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, the dharmapalas and dakinis (these are the dralas), they are not subject to the rule of law of karma of confused mind, rather they rule karma through awareness, the awakened state of mind, and they do so to promote the cause of the well being of all beings. For this we respect them.

The purpose of life is to have a higher of vision for oneself. The purpose of life as a sentient being is to move forward toward enlightenment. To have real wisdom and skillful means to transform a mind that is confused to one that is awakened and clear. To have this, and to respect this in those who have gone before us, gives us a sense of human dignity.

So we want to invoke their blessings; just appreciation and connection and respect alone invoke their blessings. This is important to know: you don't have to flatter them, or get in their favor; you don't have to lower yourself in any way that is not natural. You only have to rise yourself within, to have respect, appreciation and connection.

If we follow them diligently so, in one lifetime we can be in there place. If we follow diligently but distracted, hopefully in a couple of life times so. If we have vision and connection but with 1% progress in this way, then in 100 lifetimes we will be in there place. In that way our lives in the circle of birth, of pain, will not be all in vain, just wasted in birth, old age, sickness and death. So we want to invoke their blessings [with this lhasang practice]" -Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche