HH Dudjom Sangye Pema Shepa Rinpoche

Bodhichitta means to help and benefit others.

~ DudjomTersarNgondro
Sangye Pema Shepa, Dudjom Rinpoche III

“Bodhichitta means to help and benefit others.  It means to refrain from harming anyone or anything.  It means to be free from fighting, discord, evil thinking, arguing, and disturbing others.  If these things are present, it means it isn’t Dharma. It isn’t Buddhist Dharma. The Buddhist tradition involves refraining from all harm and striving to benefit others.  And this does not mean benefit for just one single lifetime – it is a vision of benefiting others throughout countless lifetimes. From one birth to the next, from one lifetime to the next, the view of benefiting others and establishing them in permanent happiness is carried forth.  This is held as the basis for all actions according to our Buddhist tradition.”

~ H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche III  Sangye Pema Shepa

Every Effort Should Be Made to Complete Ngondro

~ DudjomTersarNgondro

The difference between sentient beings and Buddhas is that the first has obscurations while the other does not. We are sentient beings because we have temporary “defilements” or obscurations to our wisdom mind. All sentient beings are inherently Buddhas, temporarily defiled by gross emotional obscurations and by the subtle obscuration of habit. When these are removed, the Buddha within naturally manifests. According to the Vajrayana path, only two methods exist for removing these two obscurations: first, accumulation of merit and wisdom, and second, the direct transmission from the guru’s mind to the student’s mind. Ngondro uses both methods and includes the essential practices of the Three Yanas (vehicles) Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. The essence of Hinayana practice is refuge. The generation of Bodichitta (enlightened attitude) is the essence of Mahayana practice. Accumulation, purification and the mind transmission of Guru Yoga are the essences of Vajrayana practice. Ngondro is a preliminary practice containing all paths, including the creation and perfection stages of the Vajrayana practice.

Since it contains all paths to the realization of enlightenment, then, every effort should be made to complete Ngondro in order to fully cultivate and realize its profound benefits.“

A commentary on the Dudjom Tersar Ngondro
The Preliminary Practice of the New Treasures of Dudjom
by Lama Tarchin Rinpoche

Photo by
Willie Korman
HH Dudjom Sangye Pema Shepa Rinpoche
with Lamas and Pema Osel Sangha
Vajrayana Foundation Annual Summer Retreat
at the Pema Osel Ling Retreat Center
Santa Cruz Mountains California USA