Advice on
Spiritual Practice #1
by HH Rangjung Rigpae Dorje, 16th
Gyalwa Karmapa, 1980
Teaching from http://www.kagyu-asia.com
The
practice of Dharma involves certain possibilities. How
these potentials evolve into actual situations for the
practitioner, and how much is possible within these situations
depends on the capacity of individual beings. It depends
upon the level of teachings that one is able to relate
to, such as Mahayana or Hinayana. At this particular time
in our lives, the practice of the Mahayana teaching is
possible. It is absolutely precious and absolutely rare.
Our concern for development and our sense of responsibility
has placed us in a position to integrate the preciousness
and rarity of the Mahayana teaching with our lives. Through
it there is the possibility of the experience of no-returning
back into Samsara and the experience of ultimate bliss
that is self knowing and in which there are no doubts.
In the midst of the wanderings of our minds we might sometimes
fall into thinking that whether one practices or not,
the Dharma will always be available. If you have that
kind of notion, it is a very serious mistake. Any brief
moment, any time at all that one could use as an opportunity
for Dharma practice, one must use. If one does not take
this responsibility and offer sincere respect to the Mahayana
and Vajrayana teachings, there is a definite possibility
of causing harm to oneself as well as to those spiritual
friends to whom one is linked. A lack of attention to
the responsibilities of the Mahayana path constitutes
a breaking of the Samaya principles, therefore, in whatever
way one can hold to the teachings, one must sincerely
do so.
If you think that the teaching is negligible, such a reality
will manifest because of your attitude, to your great
loss. The fact is that the teaching is very much hidden
from you, so you cannot really make speculations about
it. On the other hand, the validity of the teaching has
been witnessed by its ageless effectiveness from the time
of the Buddha to this day. This is something to dwell
upon. You must sincerely realize the sacredness of the
teachings, to the extent of understanding that there is
actually nothing more important than the practice of the
Dharma within this lifetime, and in lifetimes to come.
In a simple mundane life situation, in the field of 'business'
we know that the businessman develops a plan for a project,
he knows what it will cost him, perhaps one million dollars,
and every detail of the project is regarded with the utmost
care. Absolute importance is attached to such a project
in the business world, and a great deal of energy is put
into bringing it to a successful conclusion. The point
is if one is going to expend such effort for a result
of such a temporary nature, why not put at least as much
effort into a project that is going to cause one's temporary
as well as ultimate benefit? Whether you are receiving
an empowerment or an explanation, if you are able to have
or develop that sense of importance about the Dharma,
then there is purpose in your relationship with the Mahayana
teachings and there is going to be fulfillment, too. If
there is a genuine commitment to the teaching, you will
be able to develop direct and meaningful trust and confidence
in the teachings and sincere compassion towards beings.A
true understanding of the universality of the working
of karma, the nature of cause and effect, will occur.
The Bodhisattva's aspiration and actions are powerful
because from the very beginning when bodhisattva embarks
on the journey of the bodhi path he aspires to work for
the benefit and liberation of all sentient beings with
a very determined, definite and powerful intention. Because
of the sincere resolve that is within this aspiration,
whatever actions need to be performed to benefit and liberate
beings are performed with great power and tirelessness.
Having undertaken such a profound journey by virtue of
the aspiration to help beings, as the different stages
of the Bodhisattva are experienced, one finds oneself
increasingly capable of benefiting countless beings. That
is how the Bodhisattva first treads upon the path.
