All entries filed under this archive
Taking Refuge – HIGHLIGHT
Dharma Teaching by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche The Tibetan word for refuge is chup, “to be protected by.” Every day we wake up and tacitly take refuge in something that we think will offer us security and protection. Most of the time we put our poker chip on the ... continuePosted October 28, 2015 by Dan
Meditation and the Truth of Suffering – HIGHLIGHT
Dharma Teaching by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche The path of meditation isn’t necessarily about becoming a Buddhist. It’s about awakening to who we already are: buddha—“awakened one” in Sanskrit. Through the practice of meditation, the Buddha overcame bewilderment and suffering and awoke to the truth of reality, which is ... continuePosted September 14, 2015 by Dan
Windhorse – HIGHLIGHT
Dharma Teachings by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche During hard times, people often ask me for advice. They feel destabilized and scattered. They’re often caught up in examining who they are, what the world is, and how they fit in. They’re questioning their understanding of buddhadharma, as well as their ... continuePosted August 17, 2015 by Dan
Meditation – HIGHLIGHT
Dharma Teaching by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche We sometimes forget how the Buddhist teachings came into being. We forget why the Buddha left his father’s palace. Dissatisfied with maintaining an illusion, he wanted to understand his life—and life itself. Just like the Buddha, most of us also would like ... continuePosted July 20, 2015 by Dan
The Practice of Peaceful Abiding – HIGHLIGHT
Dharma Teaching by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche Preparing to Practice Taming our mind through shamatha meditation, or “peaceful abiding,” is the most important thing we can do. Through peaceful abiding, we learn to rest fearlessly in our natural state, which is basic goodness. We experience basic goodness when we relax ... continuePosted June 8, 2015 by Dan
Ego and Egolessness – HIGHLIGHT
photo courtesy of the Sakyong LhadrangDharma Teaching by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche What is buddhahood? It is the attaining of egolessness. According to the hinayana — the “narrow path” — if we attain egolessness of self, we realize nirvana, enlightenment. This is a common approach: to attain enlightenment for ... continuePosted May 4, 2015 by
Becoming a Bodhisattva – HIGHLIGHT
Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, Dharma Teaching by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche At the core of the Mahayana Buddhist teachings is the crown jewel of bodhichitta. This is the supreme thought, the highest possible concept that the mind can generate. Bodhichitta is the intention to bring all sentient beings to enlightenment. The ... continuePosted April 13, 2015 by
True Listening – HIGHLIGHT
Dharma Teaching by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche It is said that when the Buddha first taught, two deer approached, knelt down, and raised their ears. They symbolize the act of listening, a sublime way of being present in the moment. Their perked-up ears represent keen attentiveness. Their bodies kneeling ... continuePosted March 16, 2015 by
Obstacles Arise – HIGHLIGHT
Dharma Teaching by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche In meditation, we are on a journey from here to there — to whatever we are trying to accomplish, be it mindfulness, peace, or compassion. We are developing the ability to have fuller experience of our lives. But as we gain understanding ... continuePosted February 13, 2015 by
Becoming One With Dharma – HIGHLIGHT
Dharma Teaching by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche We often bring the dharma into our life only when things come to a painful point — when we are facing a crossroads or experiencing confusion. Then we go into our library, dust off a book and crack it open. We try ... continuePosted January 5, 2015 by
Bravery = Showing Up – HIGHLIGHT
Monthly Dharma Teaching by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche These days I am struck by the speed of life. As we get speedier, we do things in half steps. Therefore, the practice of whole-hearted engagement is important. How can we be steady and complete, and what kind of wisdom does ... continuePosted December 15, 2014 by
Investigating Motivation – HIGHLIGHT
Dharma Teaching by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche In Buddhism, it is motivation that defines us what kind of practitioner we are. Simply put, the greater our motivation on the path, the greater our potential. Traditionally, there are said to be three kinds of motivation: small, medium, and large. Within the ... continuePosted September 5, 2014 by
Obstacles on the Path – HIGHLIGHT
photosTeaching by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche If there’s a rock in your path, you have to move it, go around it, or climb over it. The same is true in meditation, says Sakyong Mipham. You can’t just pretend obstacles aren’t there. You have to relate to them. In meditation, ... continuePosted July 28, 2014 by
No Complaint – HIGHLIGHT
Teaching by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche When I visited Tibet in 2001, I frequently performed ceremonies outdoors. On one occasion, thousands of people gathered in a high, beautiful valley. It began to rain — just a light drizzle — but at 13,000 feet, any precipitation turns the weather ... continuePosted January 29, 2014 by
True Listening – HIGHLIGHT
The receptive state of listening is a kind of auditory meditation, says SAKYONG MIPHAM RINPOCHE. It is an important way to gain wisdom and insight. But it’s not easy. It is said that when the Buddha first taught, two deer approached, knelt down, and raised their ... continuePosted December 16, 2013 by