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Lama Zopa Rinpoche and Kopan monks doing Lama Chopa on Sakadawa, Kopan Monastery, Nepal, June 2020. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche continues his video teachings from Kopan Monastery in Nepal. Here is a summary of one of the teachings Rinpoche gave on Saka Dawa this year:
This video begins with part two of Geshe Losang Sherab’s brief history of becoming the Kopan Monastery chant leader (umze) and the evolution of the annual Great Prayer Festival (Monlam) held at Kopan Monastery at the beginning of every lunar new year
To the deluded mind, delusions feel good, Lama Zopa Rinpoche tells us at the beginning of this teaching. For example if one becomes angry due to an enemy—someone who has caused you harm or criticized you—and you harm that person back or kill them, such as in war, you are praised for your anger. But every being has been kind to you again and again from beginningless rebirths, harming anyone with attachment and feeling good about it is an act of craziness.
Anger is so dangerous for the immune system and creates no protection for the body. It blocks blood circulation and can cause one to have a heart attack. In this way, the danger of death is caused by the mind. Alternatively, rejoicing in a situation, even one that is challenging or harmful, relaxes your body and makes your mind so free and happy.
From our own side, we can practice rejoicing in the face of harm; but from the side of the other person, they should practice self-discipline. Because you are practicing rejoicing at the situation, it might look as though that the other person can do whatever they wish, including harming others. Rinpoche clarifies, it is not like that. If it harms others, that person should stop. While we can’t control what that person does, we can control what we do. And by rejoicing and sustaining a happy mind, the body is relaxed and it is much more comfortable.
Similarly, Rinpoche expressed that FPMT has the responsibility to serve people and take care of them as well as possible, but at the same time, those going to an FPMT center, project, or service for meditation or retreat should also practice contentment with what is offered. This is practicing renunciation: less desire, more contentment and satisfaction.
By practicing self-discipline and contentment, you can bring peace to the world rather than being like a firecracker full of anger.
On the topic of impermanence, Rinpoche warns that everyone who is alive now will one day be dead. This includes famous people and holy beings—all transmigratory beings who are living now, at some point in the future, will no longer be here, just their names will remain. We continuously see people dying but we don’t believe we will die. We believe in the concept of permanence. We have to think: “Sooner or later, I will not be here.” One’s whole family will also be gone. Since we are all running toward death, there is no point in being attached to our wealth or objects of desire. There is nothing to be attached to if you think about how fast we are running toward death. Since you have to leave everything behind, why be attached to dream-like objects of desire? This human life is like water dew on top of grass—it can drop at any time. When death happens is uncertain. It can happen any time.
We invite you to go deeper into the topics presented here, plus many others, by watching Rinpoche’s video and reading the full transcript of Rinpoche’s teaching.
Watch Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teaching “One Day Only Our Names Will Be Left“:
https://youtu.be/Jnj8u4PTo9c
- Read the transcript of Rinpoche’s teaching “One Day Only Our Names Will Be Left”
- Dedication verses for COVID-19 Crisis Teachings
Find more advice and video teachings by Lama Zopa Rinpoche from Kopan Monastery and also links to videos in translation, transcripts, MP3s, and more:
https://fpmt.org/fpmt/announcements/resources-for-coronavirus-pandemic/advice-from-lama-zopa-rinpoche-for-coronavirus/
Practice advice from our teachers, Dharma study-from-home opportunities, and more can be found on the page “Resources for the Coronavirus Pandemic.”
Lama Zopa Rinpoche is the spiritual director of the Foundation for the Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), a Tibetan Buddhist organization dedicated to the transmission of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and values worldwide through teaching, meditation and community service.