realization

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

 

What kind of merit does a dharma practitioner need?

~ DudjomTersarNgondro

“What kind of merit does a dharma practitioner need? A Dharma practitioner needs the merit of the freedom and wealth to practice dharma. It’s more difficult to hear teachings than to find the means and the harmonious support to practice the Dharma. So we need merit to hear the Dharma, to receive the teachings. After hearing the teachings, we need merit to understand the teachings. When we talking about understanding the Dharma, it doesn’t mean that you need to enter a shedra, study philosophy and debate and understand the teachings. There are so many scholars who haven’t understood the Dharma. They become intellectual and learned, but their devotion to the teacher and the teachings becomes less and less…I have studied in s shedra. When I talked about how I memorized the root verses and commentaries of philosophical texts to HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and HH Dudjom Rinpoche and my father, instead of praising me, they would just nod and say, “Yes, yes…” And my father would even scold me! But after I did retreat, and made aspirations under the Boddhi tree in Bodhgaya, when I read the “Bodhicharyavatara”, its meaning became deeper and deeper. So, if you don’t have merit you won’t understand the Dharma easily. If you have merit, you’ll understand the Dharma through your experience, not just through memorization. Mahasiddhas, realised Beings, such as Dudjom Lingpa, HH Dudjom Rinpoche (Jigdral Yeshe Dorje), and my father Thinley Norbu Rinpoche don’t have to do the practice before giving empowerments because they’re already realized. They have supreme realization and there’s no need. They are always in the state of meditation.”

 

Venerable Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
from “Ngondro Teachings“

What kind of merit does a dharma practitioner need?

~ DudjomTersarNgondro

Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche
Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche

“What kind of merit does a dharma practitioner need? A Dharma practitioner needs the merit of the freedom and wealth to practice dharma. It’s more difficult to hear teachings than to find the means and the harmonious support to practice the Dharma. So we need merit to hear the Dharma, to receive the teachings. After hearing the teachings, we need merit to understand the teachings. When we talking about understanding the Dharma, it doesn’t mean that you need to enter a shedra, study philosophy and debate and understand the teachings. There are so many scholars who haven’t understood the Dharma. They become intellectual and learned, but their devotion to the teacher and the teachings becomes less and less…I have studied in s shedra. When I talked about how I memorized the root verses and commentaries of philosophical texts to HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and HH Dudjom Rinpoche and my father, instead of praising me, they would just nod and say, “Yes, yes…” And my father would even scold me! But after I did retreat, and made aspirations under the Boddhi tree in Bodhgaya, when I read the “Bodhicharyavatara”, its meaning became deeper and deeper. So, if you don’t have merit you won’t understand the Dharma easily. If you have merit, you’ll understand the Dharma through your experience, not just through memorization. Mahasiddhas, realised Beings, such as Dudjom Lingpa, HH Dudjom Rinpoche (Jigdral Yeshe Dorje), and my father Thinley Norbu Rinpoche don’t have to do the practice before giving empowerments because they’re already realized. They have supreme realization and there’s no need. They are always in the state of meditation.”

Venerable Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
from “Ngondro Teachings“