It’s a good sign!
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
Question asked by irene:
Dear rinpoche, if I persevere diligently in my practices to purify negative karma and accumulate merit and yet I cannot eliminate one bit of suffering in this life what quantum leap of faith must I then muster to believe that I can save myself in future lives through continuing the same practices?
if one cannot eliminate pain and suffering from illnesses poverty emotional trauma etc in this life how can one still cling to any hope in the dharma for… the unknown unseen untold number of future lives?
Dear Irene,
I understand your questions and thank you for it.
Your fundamental perception of the purpose of practice must change. The more you practice, the more you should develop the mind to take on the sufferings of all sentient beings and not just yourself. The results of practice is not running away from sufferings or avoidance of it, but the acceptance of it and for the sake of all others. If you use practice or religion to gain happiness, or material gains or personal peace, then the fundamental motivation would be wrong and hence would not produce the desired results quickly. Read the Lam Rim… important.
1. The more you practice purification and the more problems arise or the same problems arise IS A VERY GOOD SIGN..AN EXECELLENT SIGN INDEED.
Why? Because the karma is coming out and you are experiencing it now. I give you an example. If you have to lose a hand phone, is it better to lose it in the middle of the city during daylight or to lose it at midnight in a dark and lonely forest when you are alone? Losing the phone is the same, but the environmental situation can dramatically alter the situation and how much more sufferings it entails. It is much better to ‘suffer’ out the karma HERE AND NOW. Be grateful for that. The environment now is better to experience the karma. As Trijang Rinpoche says, we suffer nothing that the cause was not created by ourselves….
2. Along with your practice is to read, watch teachings and learn up more on the very purpose of Buddhistic practice. Learn up more on dharma is very important…very important for you and everyone. Suffering is ever present in every sector of samsara and as long as you are here without control you have to expect it..feel lucky you can recognize it and have an opportunity to do something about it with perseverance patiently. The karmas can take more than one lifetime to purify because we’ve had thousands of hundreds of thousands of lifetimes for sure.
3. Once you reach certain stages in meditation you can perceive former lives and what you did and the karma that was accumulated for what you are experiencing now.. Until then, the Buddha would never lie or be mistaken. The mountains may be destroyed, great trees die and the oceans may dry up, but the perfect Tathagata can never be wrong. All causes for His lack of perfect perception has been eliminated. So trust the Buddha and take refuge in Him by relying on the path He took.
4. Meditate on the problems of people in poverty stricken countries or with horrible incurable diseases, or ppl who are born to be hurt, beaten, killed. Meditate on others’ problems and how immense it is and ask their problems come to you and you may suffer it for them. Develop that type of mind..that type of mind would be powerful to purify karma faster. The mind that practices for others is the correct mind of practice THAT WOULD GAIN RESULTS. Please read Milarepa’s biography.
5.Whatever methods you have engaged in before dharma didn’t work, so if you do dharma and long term it will work.. Add Setrap to your practice. You will be fine in the end…you’ll see..I wish you well sincerely from my heart, from my soul, from my being…may your sufferings and wrong perceptions come to me please…may it be so.
I wish you well and continue without expectation of material or personal results, practice with results that you can do more for others. All sufferings of this life is just to be continued into future lives as they were carried to the present from the past if left UNPURIFIED AND UNCHECKED.
Tsem Rinpoche
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Reading this blog tells us a thousands knowledge to learn and put into practice. Getting to understand now. So what we experience now is our past karma in what we had done. We must learn, practice Dharma and accept all circumstances that arise during our practice. We must change and practice more to transform our mind , taking the sufferings of others rather than ourselves.
Thank you Rinpoche for these powerful teachings.
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There is certainly a great deal to know about this issue.
I love all of the points you made.
Thank you Rinpoche for the straight forward and clear explaination on karma and the need for consistency of our dharma practice. As we have created our own karma,it is important for us to take this opportune rebirth to lessen it and move towards liberation of suffering .It is important for us to develop the correct motivation in our dharma practice and to do intensive purification.?
I did recall that Rinpoche said that Dharma Work can be delayed but Karma ripen can’t be delayed. This is the reason why we must practice more Dharma Work to purify our karma and collect more merits. The obstacles we facing are the manifestation of karma.
We must apply 8 verses of thought transformation to overcome obstacles. As Rinpoche said, Dharma is about mind transformation to become a better person and gain attainment.
This article really apply to my current situation and it help me to find a solution.
Thanks Rimpoche and Irene.
Jason
Thank you Rinpoche for the clarity of your message it is truly better to experience karma in our circumstances rather than experience it in the lower realms. And when we are new to the dharma any practice or instance whereby our karma manifest in relation to Buddhism we go into a lot of fears. Later when we learn more we understand that nothing can happen without our karma playing a part. So we cannot run away from something that we planted inside us.
Thanks Rinpoche for the powerful teaching…
To realise and experience suffering is not a easy work to deal with it, but through Rinpoche advice we need to do more Dharma protector practice to deal with our ripening karma in a controlled situation…
Very powerful and apt advice from Tsem Rinpoche, we should trust in the Buddha’s methods. As no matter what happens the Buddhas would not lie to us. He has no reason to or impetus to do so. A buddha who reached full enlightenment, got to his state by developing compassion to a highest level.
Thank you Rinpoche for the post ‘It’s a Good Sign’.The picture itself speaks a thousand words.It is a profound dharma lesson itself. It is cute to see our beloved Guru clutching preciously a Buddha statue and carrying a big bag to contain the precious statue,his only precious possession.There is urgency in his facial expression while hailing for a mode of transport.On his feet,he wears a simple pair of slippers.Now, where is Guru going? Across the road, there is a big luxury car.
In this post,Guru is giving us a valuable lesson on the importance of mind transformation,the importance of developing the correct motivation ,the correct perception of our dharma practice..If we have the wrong motivation in our dharma practice, if we practice dharma to get wealth,,good healh and happiness for ourselves only and not benefit or help others in need ,we are heading towards samsara this life and future lives.It is important not only to cultivate the correct view but also to practise purification for our deeds committed through our speech ,body and mind since time immemorial.
As we have created our own karma,it is important for us to take this opportune rebirth to lessen it and move towards liberation of suffering .Thus it is important for us to develop the correct motivation in our dharma practice and to do intensive purification.
Thank you again Rinpoche for the valuable dharma lesson.Thank you for your understanding and for taking all our suffering and wrong perceptions.
With folded hands,I bow to you
Thank you Rinpoche for this profound teaching.
I just realized that my motivation of practice is wrong. I know when we practicing Dharma, we will experience karma faster to purify our karma. I think I am experiencing it now and therefore I am scared every day that something will happen to me.
I realized that the reason I am scared because I always focus on myself and did not accept it for the happiness of others. If I have the compassion to accept and endure the suffering for the happiness of others, my perception will be different. I will be happy to experience the karma and will not have fear anymore.
Dear Rinpoche,
Now I know very clearly what to perceive during my practice.
Thank you.
Thank you Rinpoche for the valuable sharing.Your explanation on karma and the need for consistency of our dharma practice, is indeed profound and clear.Your compassion to take on our negative effect of our ripening of our negative karma are indeed generous and selfless.
But,we do wish the guru health to be stable to share more valuable wisdom on dharma to clear the ignorance which we cherish so fondly in this samsara realm.
May we be blessed with the merits to learn dharma from a truly compassionate living buddha ( our dearest Tsem Rinpoche ) for many years to come if not life times to come.
Today the members were given this topic for discussion. Each of them shared the obstacles that they have encountered. Members who have joined the recently concluded Lama Tsongkhapa Sadhana Programme agreed that they too faced a great deal of challenges during and after the retreat. Some in the form of sicknesses, having problems in their works and accident too. The problems seemed to have happened unexpectedly. However, they were very happy to have met Rinpoche’s teaching where it has helped a lot. They were able to accept the situation quicker rather than making it worst (such as by having to blame, scolding, reacting back and etc.) and in fact they tried to find ways to solve the issues. One of the member said that actually he can handle more problems than previously did. Another member who shared about an accident that she was involved in, had actually thought about the other person’s safety first and she even gave her some money although obviously it wasn’t her fault! Just like what Rinpoche has shared, we need to think of others more. We need to develop the mind to take on the sufferings of all sentient beings and not just ourself.
Amazingly they seemed to have handled their emotional quite well where they can actually relayed their stories in a more relaxing manner. They were very thankful that they have attended puja religiously especially Lord Setrap puja where problems happened in a more conducive manner. Truly, our fundamental perception of practicing should be without expectation of material or personal results. We should and will continue to practice with results that we can do more for others.
Attendees :Soon Huat, Loh Ann Leong, Gordon Lim, Kai Lynn, Chin Seong, Swee Ching and Jacinta.
Dear Rinpoche, looking back at that time, I’m glad we have discussed this post together (Kechara Penang Study Group).
How I miss the good old days!
The whole purpose of doing Dharma is for others for we are the same as everyone else. Purification is very necessary and combined with the contemplations that Rinpoche has advised, may our practice comes into fruition.
Thanks you, rinpoche. This article came in right time when i was facing unexpected daily problems and wondering meaning of purification. This triggers me back what rinpoche mentioned before, the universal law -cause and effect that we cannot escape from karma effect but to face it. May my obstacle be lesser and facilitate me on spiritual journey.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article with us. Some of us might admire on those who doesn’t practice dharma in their daily life as they seem to live more “healthy”, “rich” etc than us who practicing Dharma. However, we should continue with our practice no matter what types of obstacles arise as it’s part of our Karma purification process. Those who practice Dharma sincerely definitely can experience lesser of the impact whenever obstacles arise.Apart from that, we should aware that it’s better for us to endure those suffering now as a result of ripen of our negative karma as the period of suffering in lower realms are much serious than now.
I’m grateful that Irene asked,if not I would still be in the dark. I have wasted 30years doing nothing. Knowing that karma can be purified through diligent practice,i’m delighted.
I was told by a fortune teller that my life is such due to my past karma. How to purify it I was not told. Being ignorant for so long and facing loads of obstacles one after another. I was on the verge on giving up till I found your teachings on you tube.
After I listened to your dharma teachings one after another, I begin to practice small scale. I may have not seen any signs of purification yet, but I will diligently practice.
This teaching is something I will remind myself everyday whether happy or sad,rain or shine, I have to be diligent in my practice.
Sadhu sadhu..
Thank you Rinpoche for your teachings & guidance. I too always wonder why is it that I practice Buddhism & do my daily sadhana but I still do face a lot of obstacles in my path. At times I’m scared that my bad karma will ripen now & I won’t be able to handle it. With the help of Lord Setrap, I hope that my obstacles will be removed in order for me to continue on my spiritual path.
Thanks to Guru Rinpoche for the explanation . our motivation of doing practice not just to run away from suffering , we should develop our mind to take all the suffering as it is a good sign to purifying our negative karma . Everything happens for a reason , we can’t run away from the problems no matter what , the only things we can do is do the dharma practice and accept all the suffering .
Thank You Rinpoche for such a profound teaching and it is common situation or doubt we have as beginner of Dharma practitioner.
Your point#1 remind me my experience of chanting Vajrasattva’s hundred-syllable mantra. I started chanting the mantra 1.5 year ago when I was new to puja. A lot of negative karma manifested in small matters/problems within 2 weeks, I got shocked and stop the practice. It is like the 3 miners story from you; a miners of 3 stopped digging right before he reached the treasure. I think persistence and consistency is important to Dharma practice as well as keep clean samaya with your Guru (which I failed once), have strong faith with your Guru and his guidance. Eventually, we will see the result. There are hundred or even thousands lives of negative karma for us to purify and it can not be purified within such short period of lifetime (within a few years even a lifetime).
We are lucky that we are in human realm which we can still receive the Dharma teaching and practice Dharma to purify our karma. If we are in other realm, we are totally overpowered by negative karma. We should seize the opportunity for purification.
Rinpoche, I personally like your point#4 the way to nurture our Boddhicitta. I will try it hard…
We really can not survive in Dharma path without protector. That is why Setrap Puja is very important for our Dharma practice.
Thank You Rinpoche. Wish you long life and continue turning the Dharma Wheel and guide us (we really need your guidance)
Cheers,
Soon Huat
Thank you, Rinpoche, for this profound teaching on the powerful relationship between practice and suffering. The correct mind of practice is the mind that practices for others. Thus the more one practices, the more the mind is able to take on the suffering of all sentient beings and not that of oneself alone.The results of practice is not running away from suffering or avoiding it, but the acceptance of it for others.
Suffering is ever present in every sector of samsara. As long as one has no control over it, one has to expect it.Feel lucky if one can recognize it, and if one has an opportunity to do something about it with perseverance and patience.
All suffering in this life will just continue into future lives, as they were carried to the present from the past. This is if suffering were left unchecked and unpurified.
Here, in this post, is the essence of the four Noble Truths – recognizing the Truth of suffering,identifying the Truth of the origin of suffering, realizing the cessation of suffering and developing the way out of suffering.
Thank you Irene for your question. Thank you Rinpoche for your clear and profound explanations. I now understand that to take on the sufferings of others can help to purify our negative karma.
It is said that everything we experienced is influenced by our Karma. Wharever we are doing, whatever situation we are in, we are creating Karma. When we are mindful of what we think and feel, and if we are aware that we have a negative emotion, malicious attitude or a greedy thought; this process of being aware and monitoring our mind, applying the antidote to the negative emotions is said to be the practice of Dharma. We should train ourselves to do this every single moment of our life, not just when we kneel in front of a buddha image only when have the desperate need arising, like most of us always do! We create karma every moment in our life, but not knowing whether the good ones or bad! The main thing is to be aware of what we are thinking and feeling – whether our mental, verbaland physical actions are skillful and virtuous or not. That’s why we need a good Guru to guide us to achieve the motivations of love, compassion and the altruistic intention in our practice for the benefit of all beings, and to hold such spiritual goals dear in our hearts! Thank you Rinpoche for your wonderful teachings.
Rinpoches reply to this question was fantastic. It makes so much sense how we realize our conditions and results are due to our own actions and karma. I hope that Rinpoche will continue to answer more questions like this as they are interesting to read and I am sure that many people would love to ask Rinpoche questions.
”To realise and experience suffering” is a good sign. Wow how beautifully clear, a move out of delusion that what is happening in this world is fine and we keep chasing what is really not important because the noble truth is that whatever we have and whoever we are, are totally impermanent and only death is inevitable and certain.
When death occurs, what is important is only our mind and where it will go. To the 3 lower realms whereby there is no Dharma for further improvement or work now for others to gain merits for a rebirth to continue the path to liberation.
Choice 2 is logical and I will strive to continue my spiritual journey with the Dharma. May I always be blessed with Rinpoche as my beacon and light.
Dear Rinpoche thank you for teaching us this inspiring teaching. A lot of people will think if I m already have so much of problems how could I still help others after reading this post I think we need to look out rather than focus on our own problem set our motivation to help others then our own negative karma will be purified.
Thank you for helping me realise that all our conditions are based off past karma and that when things go wrong during purification practice, that is a good sign. Normally, I would begin to be slightly deterred when things go bad but now I know that I should continue.
Deares RInpoche
I am sincerely touched reading your reply for the question above. It is a very intresting to know and realise our conditions are due to our own actions/Karma but no one else. I had many unanswered questions in my head and with your answer above dearest rinpoche It kinda answered some of my unanswered questions. THank you and a my humblest Pranamas to you .