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Lama Zopa Rinpoche and monks circumambulating the stupas at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, August 2020. Photo by Ven. Lobsang Sherab.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche continues his video teachings on thought transformation from Kopan Monastery in Nepal. Here is a summary of the most recent teaching:
Rinpoche begins this teaching explaining that the ten innermost jewels of the Kadampas show what holy Dharma is. By knowing the ten innermost jewels, then you know what holy Dharma is and what worldly Dharma is.
This is important because many activities that look like holy Dharma are actually worldly Dharma. Even if you are reciting mantras, reading prayers, doing retreat, studying philosophy, debating, etc., these activities only become holy Dharma if your mind becomes holy Dharma. Otherwise, it’s still worldly Dharma. The mind is a worldly mind, full of worldly concern, you have to carefully check your motivation.
The Ten Innermost Jewels of the Kadampas
The Four Entrustments
Rinpoche offers detailed commentary on each of the entrustments, which are:
* I should entrust the depths of my attitude to the Dharma.
* I should entrust the depths of the Dharma to the beggar.
* I should entrust the depths of the beggar to death.
* I should entrust the depths of death to the cave.
Rinpoche concludes that the main thing is to not be attached to the perfections of this life, to free yourself from the prison of attachment.
The Three Vajras
Rinpoche offers detailed commentary on the three vajras, which are:
*I should proceed first with the uncaptured vajra. Rinpoche summarizes that this means to proceed with pure Dharma without allowing yourself to be delayed.
* I should leave behind the shameless vajra. Rinpoche summarizes that this means no matter what people say—if they praise you or criticize you, it makes no difference to you including your family who may try to influence you.
* I should be accompanied by the transcendental wisdom vajra. Rinpoche summarizes that this means that you never break your promise to totally abandon the activities of this life and live your life equal to the Dharma.
The Three Practices of Expelling, Striving, and Achieving
Rinpoche then explains the three practices, which are:
* I should expel myself from the line of human beings. Rinpoche summarizes that this means that you avoid wealth, family, friends, reputation, and the trappings of life’s perfections.
* I should strive for the line of dogs. Rinpoche summarizes that this means you don’t reach for nice clothing or reputation, you bear hardships for holy Dharma.
* I should achieve the line of devas. Rinpoche summarizes that this means you give up all worldly activities, you renounce this life in a solitary place avoiding anger and attachment.
In addition to the commentary on the ten innermost jewels, Rinpoche also advises that when you make offerings on behalf of sentient beings, every sentient being collects merit. Additionally, you can dedicate your own merit to purify sentient beings’ negative karma.
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 “The Ten Innermost Jewels Show What Holy Dharma Is”:
https://youtu.be/Jq_Gz9j8RgM
- Read the transcript of Rinpoche’s teaching
- Ten Innermost Jewels of the Kadampas, by Zhabkar Tshogdrug Rangdrol, translated by Lama Zopa Rinpoche
- Rinpoche’s other recent teachings on the ten innermost jewels of the Kadampas
- Dedication verses for COVID-19 Crisis Teachings
Watch more from the video series Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s Teachings on Thought Transformation during the Time of COVID-19 and find links to videos in translation, transcripts, MP3s, additional practice advice, 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.