Following is a message from His Holiness Phakchok Rinpoche, who was here in January:
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Dear Friends, I hope you’ve all been happy and healthy. On this Guru Rinpoche Day, I would like to share with you a pithy instruction which my master, Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche repeatedly uttered. It is my hope that this heartfelt advice helps you and guides you on the path:
I suggest that you keep this reminder near you so that you are constantly watching your mind. Mindfulness is the Mirror of the Mind Obeisance to the king of self arising spontaneous mindfulness! I am the vajra of mindfulness –Look, vajra brothers and sisters! Whenever I am seen, mindfulness is maintained. I am the mirror of mindfulness.
Express clearly your careful mindfulness. Do not become distracted, watch the essence of the mind!
Mindfulness is the root of Dharma. Mindfulness is the main path.Mindfulness is the cane, which sustains the mind. Mindfulness is the friend of self-aware wisdom. Mindfulness sustains Mahamudra, Dzogchen, and Madhyamaka. Lack of mindfulness is defeat by mara (distraction/disturbing emotions).
Lack of mindfulness will lead you to be distracted by laziness. Lack of mindfulness creates more disturbing emotions and hence failure. Lack of mindfulness is like a heap of shit. Lack of mindfulness is like sleeping in an ocean of piss. Lack of mindfulness is like a heartless corpse – Friends I beseech you, maintain mindfulness!
Through the noble master’s sacred aspiration, may you all know the true face of mindfulness.Me, this elderly monk called Jamyang Dorje, offer this awakening of mindfulness, to all friends with Dharma eyes. May it be meritorious! May it be auspicious!
Sarva Mangalam, Phakchok Rinpoche
I have to say that the tendency within some Vajrayana circles to use rough speech for humour or emphasis is a bit troubling. If you were at one recent talk at the Tavana you will know what I mean.
Yes, it has a ‘cool’ aspect in being anti-stuffy. And can be fun.
But at the end of the day we are trying to maintain ‘right’ specch which includes refraining from rough/harsh words.
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Another point is HHPCR often emphasises mindfulness. Yet followers of Vajrayana tend to be more interested in mantra recitation, ‘special’ practises such as Phowa which they believe will guarentee them a place in heaven, or most especially Empowerments.
HHPCR gave a talk in Singapore in 2010 all about not getting involved with superstition, unfounded beliefs – even if they are teachings – and to emphasis day to day mindfulness. The next day the attendees were all buzzing about the talk. It was a nice talk. But after the talk had finished and I left, everyone told me he gave an extremely rare Empowerment.
That was all they were talking about – being given this special Empowerment, even after 1.5 hours of Rinpoche emphasising the mundane practise as the real aim of Tibetan Buddhism.
The message above is again about mindfulness, but I am sure it will be considered ‘just for the public’. 2 years ago I offered the Tibetan group in Penang a weeekend mindfulness workshop – after Rinpoche himself suggested it, and told me to make the offer. It was received with disdain. No magic!
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche also mentioned this – that people would go to HH Dalai Lama’s retreats for the Empowerment and then go home. So he moved the Empowerments to the end of the retreat instead. Then people got the idea and turned up just on the last day!
It may be more difficult, and harder to get hold of, but mindfulness practises, coupled with one-pointed concentration exercies is the way the Buddha actually taught.
I do enjoy Madam Alexandra David-Neel’s books, though. 🙂