"Fearlessness is generated when you can appreciate uncertainty, when you have faith in the impossibility of these interconnected components remaining static and permanent.
You will find yourself, in a very true sense, preparing for the worst while allowing for the best...By knowing that something is lying in wait for you just around the bend, by accepting that countless potentialities exist from this moment forward, you acquire the skill of pervasive awareness and foresight like that of a gifted general, not paranoid but prepared."
~ DZONGSAR JAMYANG KHYENTSE RINPOCHE
From: "What Makes You Not a Buddhist"
REJOICING
Think about how the great teachers have manifested in this universe:
they came, freed themselves and showed others how to be free
- from destructive emotions, - and dualistic confusion,
how they benefited beings through countless emanations,
- teaching the true Dharma through an endless variety of methods.
If we rejoice wholeheartedly at such wonderful deeds,
- then we actually share in their merit and accomplishments.
The same holds true whenever we experience a deeply felt joy
with any virtuous action performed by others
- teachers, disciples, hermits, or anyone who benefits others.
So this rejoicing should be sincere,
- and come from the depths of our hearts.
~ Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche: «Guru Yoga»
Mind is eclipsed by many different obscurations; if they are removed, mind's fundamental nature, like the sun shining brightly in a clear, open sky, can manifest all the qualities of wisdom, compassion, and a Buddha's abilities.
The essence of the Lama or Buddha is emptiness; their nature, clarity; their appearance, the play of unimpeded awareness. Apart from that they have no real material form, shape or colour, whatsoever - like the empty luminosity of space. When we know them to be like that we can develop faith, merge our minds with theirs, and let our minds rest peacefully. This attitude and practice are most important.
~ Kalu Rinpoche
How Are Mandalas Used in Tantric Buddhism?
In Vajrayana (Tantric) Buddhism, a mandala represents a sacred space and a visualization tool for meditation. The word "mandala" comes from the Sanskrit word for "circle", and it refers to a circular diagram that represents the universe or a particular deity.
A mandala typically consists of a central deity or symbol surrounded by other deities, symbols, and geometric shapes arranged in a circular pattern. The deities and symbols represent different aspects of the enlightened mind, and the overall pattern represents the interconnectedness of all phenomena.
In Vajrayana Buddhism, the mandala is used as a meditation aid to help the practitioner focus their mind and visualize the enlightened state. By meditating on the mandala, the practitioner can gradually transform their perception of the world and develop a deeper understanding of the nature of reality.
Mandalas are also used in ritual practices, where they serve as a representation of the enlightened realm and as a means of offering prayers and making offerings to the deities. Mandalas may be constructed using materials such as sand, colored grains, or even precious stones, and are often created and then destroyed as part of the ritual practice, symbolizing the impermanence of all phenomena.
Overall, the mandala represents a powerful tool for spiritual transformation and realization in Vajrayana Buddhism.
ILLUSION LOOKING AT ILLUSION
Everything has the nature of being empty.
When the empty looks at the empty, Who is there to look at something empty?
What is the use of many classifications, Such as 'being empty' and 'not empty'
As it is illusion looking at illusion, And delusion watching delusion?
~ Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche
"A Letter in Praise of Emptiness"
From the book "Natural Great Perfection:
Dzogchen Teachings And Vajra Songs"
Via "Gems of Wisdom - Nyingma Tradition"
Six things are taught to be indications of excellent gurus:
If those who rely on gurus are inspired and turn toward the dharma, this is an indication that, through spiritual accomplishment, these gurus have amassed clouds of blessings.
If gurus encourage students to practice and their students in turn display many positive qualities, this is an indication that these are gurus who transmit the great instructions of the profound oral lineages.
If gurus are not jealous of others to whom they might lose their retinues or possessions, this is an indication that mundane attitudes of ownership and personal ambition have fallen away from them.
If gurus know how to involve anyone at any level of understanding on the spiritual path, this is an indication that they have innate compassion and skill in benefiting beings.
If gurus are able to greatly benefit those who suffer, this is an indication that they have trained in compassion and developed immeasurable bodhichitta.
If gurus have spacious and contented minds and are free of ordinary concerns, this is an indication that they have indwelling confidence that comes from realizing the way things actually are. Seek out and rely on such qualified gurus.
There are six ways in which students are contaminated by the faults of poor teachers:
Students who rely on poor mentors are tainted by fixation on the extremes of naive affirmation and nihilistic denial because of their teachers' dubious belief systems.
They are led to commit harmful, negative actions because of their teachers' improper conduct.
They become increasingly quarrelsome and mean-spirited because of their teachers' signs of inferior spiritual attainment.
They indulge in their confused perceptions and habit patterns because of the poor meditation they are taught.
They are obsessed with mundane affairs because of the questionable spiritual methods in which they train.
They fall into lower realms of samsara because of the inferior goals they are taught to seek.
Therefore, for those who have faith and seek the path to liberation, a poor teacher is the greatest obstacle caused by maras. So identify such teachers and avoid them at all costs.
~ Longchenpa
In peace and l9ve may you be
Much gratitude
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