Interview with His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa by Deborah Peck
Video:
https://meridian-trust.org/video/wish-fulfilling-gem-an-interview-with-h-h-the-16th-gyalwa-karmapa_dldv000167/
Intro: My name is Deborah Peck. I interviewed His Holiness the Karmapa in September of 1980, His Holiness is the spiritual head of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded in the 8th century[1] and consists of an unbroken lineage of masters up until this day. The teachings of the Kagyu lineage and Tibetan Buddhism are universally applicable at all times and in all cultures. His Holiness, the Karmapa is the peak of Tibetan Buddhist yoga, meditation, practice and realization. He is said to be a living example of boundless compassion, joy and wisdom. He is the chief spiritual teacher of the countries of Bhutan, and Sikkim and is a guide to hundreds of thousands of disciples throughout the world. Traditionally, just before passing away, all Karmapas leave a note indicating when and where they will be reborn. At the time of recording this tape, we are awaiting news of the birth of the 17th Karmapa.
His Holiness Karmapa asked me to set up the Kagyu video project to produce and distribute this one and other tapes on Tibetan Buddhist meditation and its teachers. This nonprofit project welcomes you to write us for further information at the address listed at the end of this tape.
As His Holiness states, the most direct way for one to experience, understand and realize the benefits of the Buddhist teachings is to study directly with a Lama. Therefore, all of the centers and monasteries His Holiness has set up throughout the world welcome you to experience this directly. You can also buy books and tapes of these teachings by writing to the monasteries. It is said that His Holiness’ blessing can be experienced merely by thinking of him. Certainly, it is our wish that all who see and hear this tape directly experience this blessing and that each and every one of you can realize your innate peace, joy, awareness and tranquility. What follows is the interview I did with Karmapa. It was translated by Ngödub Burkhar, thank you.
First of all, we would like to thank His Holiness for granting us this interview on behalf of all of Karme Choling centers in America, and so that we can hopefully think of him and remember him always, even though he is not here in flesh and physical body.
Question: What is the overall purpose of Buddhist meditation? What are its benefits to the general public of America?
Karmapa XVI: His Holiness feels that there is, in fact, a great benefit because people everywhere are caught up in all kinds of situations of confusion and ignorance, and through the understanding and integration of the Buddhist teaching there is the possibility of a complete breakthrough, in that there is the possibility of becoming completely sane and completely awake, an uprooting of all situations of ignorance and confusion. And because of this ignorance and confusion, beings everywhere go through all kinds of sufferings.
As His Holiness had said earlier, the purpose of sending a learned teacher like our abbot [Khenpo Karthar] is also to make the teaching available to all the people and available in such a way that they can understand the benefit of it, which aims at explaining and making it understandable that we are capable of becoming completely sane.
Question: How long should a beginning person meditate daily?
Karmapa XVI: His Holiness said that actually, one should meditate as much as possible because the more the better. There is not a fixed time, yet because of one’s responsibilities in the world, it is not always possible to have a lot of time to practice. So therefore, doing the meditation practice as consistently as possible is most important. And beside this, you have teachers with you, and in accordance with the instructions of the teachers that practicing is very important, some sense of a situation of personal relationship with the teachers is also very important. Here in America, His Holiness has left teachers and his representatives here. Since the teachers and the teachings are available, taking advantage of them and making it very personal is very important.
Question: Again, for beginners. There are many more beginners coming in the next few years before His Holiness comes back. And if His Holiness could please speak about Shine meditation and what are the benefits and advantages?
Karmapa XVI: His Holiness says that the mind is at the moment going through such situations of restlessness and uncertainty. These situations of restlessness are like boiling water: it’s just like that. And in that situation you receive the teaching – you find yourself placed in a very difficult situation in that you sort of have heard the teachings, yet you really haven’t understood what you heard because your mind is so absolutely confused and going through all kinds of uncertainty. So, in order to be able to completely accommodate as well as appreciate and understand the teachings fully, first one must develop the calmness of one’s mind. And for calming one’s mind, the Shine or tranquility meditation practice is very important. In fact, relating to any aspect of the Buddhist practices, the basic ground is the calmness and the clarity of one’s mind, which is developed through the basic sitting practice of Shine. And then, when one has developed a certain calmness and clarity of one’s mind, then one could appreciate the idea of a compassionate mind, and practice and develop compassion, and then tread on the path of the Bodhisattvas; or, at a more beginner level, understand the meaning of the Four Thoughts that Turn One’s Mind Towards the Dharma and appreciate them and integrate them. This is what turns one towards following the compassionate being’s ideas, those of the Bodhisattvas ideals, and trying them on the Bodhisattva’s path; and then towards following the highest vehicle, the Vajradhara teachings. So if one does follow the practices in this systematic way, it could become very, very meaningful.
Question: Could you please give us some advice for those of your students who have responsibilities in the world and are pulled towards their jobs and their careers and their families if they have children and how they can integrate their practice bit more into their life, into their everyday daily life?
Karmapa XVI: If individuals have a sincere appreciation of the teachings, along with their involvement in the mundane world, taking care of their job responsibilities or family responsibilities, then with their appreciation of the teachings a certain time can be found, and an appropriate distribution of time can be made, and that could affect one’s proper integration of the Dharma. And so that is very important. And also this is dependent on the understanding that one’s spiritual friends have in such situations, in considering that you have such involvements, so that in whatever way the teachings can be made more available or more easily available to you in accordance with your availability of time, that is also a possibility.
Question: Could His Holiness tell the students how we can develop a more loving kindness and compassion towards each other within the Sangha and out into the communities where our Dharma centers are?
Karmapa XVI: His Holiness says first by understanding the importance and then by training one’s mind with mindfulness; if one is not going to train oneself with mindfulness and first develop conditional loving-kindness and compassion, it will not just happen by itself. For instance, if one encountered a certain aggressive situation one immediately realized that one’s teacher had explained and had told one the healthiest and realistic thing to do. So in this way, reminding oneself and training oneself.
Question: Is there a possibility of tulkus being born in America or in the West in general? And then how would this affect our cultural life in America?
Karmapa XVI: His Holiness says – yes, there is a good possibility that tulkus or incarnate teachers are coming or taking birth in in the West, because in the past such have not happened, because the teachings had not been established, the teachings had not taken root in the West. Now that the teachings are beginning to be established and taking root in the West and in order to continue the work of making the teachings available, such compassionate teachers will be born; for instance, if a certain couple are the parents of an enlightened teacher, then there would definitely be very much inspired and encouraged themselves to get fully involved in the practice of the teachings.
And also, there is the possibility of some changes in the way of relationships, because being born in an American form, for instance, the appearance in the American culture and in the Western culture, that one from the very beginning of one’s life would be familiar with such a culture and of the people, that could bring some definite changes in the way of communication, in the way of presentations.
Question: Many people in America would be interested to know, according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, do women have an equal chance to progress spiritually and become enlightened beings as men?
Karmapa XVI: Through the compassionate teachings of the Buddha and through the power of the compassion, His Holiness says that through the recitation of certain sacred syllables like the mantras, it could affect the transformation of the lives of tiny creatures, such as that of the tiniest insect. Through the recitation of the mantras and through transmission of the blessings and the compassion of that towards these creatures, such experience of raising up so that never having to be born into lower realms is possible; and of course, there is no difference for male or female or for men and women, and also there is no discrimination in terms of belonging to a higher family or that of a lower family. This situation of caste does not exist in the compassionate teachings of the Buddha. So all have equal chances.
Question: You said in an earlier interview that during this time in the world, the gross and neurotic aspects of human qualities are becoming more present and more apparent. Could you elaborate on this and also on what you see happening in the world in the future? Will this degradation or this turning away from Dharma increase or will it decrease?
Karmapa XVI: His Holiness says that is very personal, it’s very individual, whether it’s going to change in whatever direction, as His Holiness said earlier, therefore the practice of the calmness and the clarity of one’s mind through meditation is very important, and then through that, practicing loving-kindness and compassion and confidence in the teachings. And as one begins to develop the calmness, develop the clarity of one’s mind, and train one’s mind to be more compassionate and gentle, then one is able to accommodate different situations and have and give space. And at such points, even if the one has not completely uprooted one’s habitual patterns and neurotic thoughts, yet one will find oneself not completely overwhelmed or controlled by one’s negative thoughts that take place, yet one is also able to work towards the dissolving the thoughts and avoid them becoming negative, powerful actions.
This consistent practice and integration of the meaning of the Dharma is absolutely important, that of calmness and clarity of the mind and that of compassionate insight and attitude. If one has those experiences, then it’s a sign that one is beginning to integrate the meaning of the Dharma. If not, it’s just when teachings are happening and one is listening to them, and in other times one has forgotten them, and if this situation is going to continue, then at one point that one is going to become more and more distant from the Dharma and more and more disconnected. And finally, the chances of one’s mind properly following the Dharma would be low in this situation. So that’s why that integration of what one understands is definitely very important.
Question: Would His Holiness have any final word to tell his students in America himself, even though many of his great Lamas are here teaching us, that he could tell us before he returns again and how soon can he return again?
Karmapa XVI: His Holiness says that because of accumulation of merit, we have the teachings available for us, fortunate beings of a fortunate time, in the case of those who have been able to be involved in the practice of the Dharma; and when one has such an opportunity as this, when one is able to completely involve oneself in the practice of the Dharma, then some situation of discipline and decency is definitely very important: the discipline and decency in the way of honoring the teachings and that of honoring the teachers. For instance, with one’s teacher and the way he directs one’s path and lights one’s path: in order to give one proper directions and proper insight certain recommendations or certain advice is given, then it should be one’s sincerest concern to make sure that these are followed through. And that practices are done properly. Centers which are studied under the direction of His Holiness Karma Tegsum Chöling and that of Trungpa Rinpoche or Kalu Rinpoche, are exactly the same in the same lineage, have the same teachings and the same purposes. This is like three people of the same family. And so that understanding is very important. And so many teachers are coming and the great Bodhisattvas are also visiting and very soon that you are going to have the visit of the most venerable Shamar Rinpoche.
And in this way, the teachers and the teachings are available to you. And one has to make complete use of the availability of the teaching. And His Holiness is very much impressed by the discipline that the members of Dharmadhatu have under the direction of Trungpa Rinpoche. And we are also doing very well. We are progressing, and yet it’s important to be able to follow proper disciplines, and in whatever way individuals, as members of the centers, can contribute and can exert themselves in enhancing and developing in that, so that our centers and everything altogether becomes more outwardly and inwardly uplifted and more dignified, is important. And then towards that in one’s own practice also exertion and clarity and longing and a sense of certitude and confidence is very important. For instance, at a certain particular time you have the need for teachings or you have the need for practices, that involves making sure that you do so. So in that you are just being a very good example because the true teachings, the teachings must last and will last for a very long time. And we have to set examples for generations and generations to come. In fact, for eons and eons that a lasting example. And so the responsibility is very, very important.
Add to that some degree of setting a good example for ourselves and for the benefit of others. So through one’s confidence and clarity and longing and certitude and proper exertion in the Dharma and proper sense of openness, all these must be followed through and developed. And also the accumulation of merit is definitely important in order to fully appreciate and integrate the meaning of the teachings. And Gampopa emphasized this very much. In fact, Gampopa’s name was Sönam Richen – the jewel of merit or the precious merit – and therefore the accumulation of merit is very important. We talk about the accumulation of merit and awareness, accumulation of merit in the way that realizing the importance of the enlightened object of refuge, and in whatever way everyone can respect them, honour them, uphold them, and to make offerings in the way of flowers, incense and any worthy objects of offering. Through that one makes the meritorious accumulations and through one’s meditation practices the accumulation of awareness. So the two accumulations are very important. As far as the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas are concerned, having attained the perfect state of enlightenment that is Buddhahood through the inexhaustible accumulation of meritorious qualities and of compassion, that has manifested in many different forms and in many different skillful ways towards benefiting beings.
So as far as the blessings and the guidance are concerned, they are inexhaustible. It’s not like other situations of relationships or of work that give help. And so one should take full advantage of these. And as far as the centers are concerned, ours is not like different parties, different organizations, one being in competition with the others. Ours is a sacred place. It’s the place of the teachings, the sacred place of the practice. And so therefore, again, setting a true example of the sacredness of it, think that ours is to help each other, to a situation of sanity, of enlightenment, and that this is our purpose and this is what we are capable of, and that we should be able to bring that out to the world so that peace and calmness could be brought to all beings, and that audience could then appreciate our work and take part in it because they see that there is discipline, there is dignity, and there is sanity. There is that understanding, friendship in it. And so therefore, our responsibility is, in fact, very much towards that end. His Holiness also has made Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, Woodstock as the main seat, and that’s where the traditional monastery will be built.
And the purpose of the monastery will be also that that it will house many, many sacred statues and sacred teachings in the way of the Kagyüs, and that it will be symbolizing the presence of the Buddha Dharma and many, many monks and teachers. And so in this way, a treasure of the teachings, and in order to make the teachings available to the Western world and people, these are the objects that are in His Holiness’ mind such that this should come about. And so, having these opportunities available, one also should make one’s relationship and one’s practice very meaningful, the Dharma never had ever been deceptive, and that in practicing the Dharma there’s definite fruition. And so with confidence and with the situation of tirelessness, working and practicing is very, very important; and towards that, and towards the peace of the world, and towards the flourishing of the Dharma, and towards the progress of your work in the different centers and the different individual practitioners, His Holiness’s prayers and thoughts are always with all of you that you may all live long and in healthy ways and with understanding and everything, in fact, in a very proper way. Tashi Delek to all of you!
Transcript: Jerzy Kunowski. Corrections: Cecilia Hollingworth
[1] Generally Marpa Lotsawa is considered as the founder of the Kagyü lineage. He lived in the 11th century.
Video:
https://meridian-trust.org/video/wish-fulfilling-gem-an-interview-with-h-h-the-16th-gyalwa-karmapa_dldv000167/
Intro: My name is Deborah Peck. I interviewed His Holiness the Karmapa in September of 1980, His Holiness is the spiritual head of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded in the 8th century[1] and consists of an unbroken lineage of masters up until this day. The teachings of the Kagyu lineage and Tibetan Buddhism are universally applicable at all times and in all cultures. His Holiness, the Karmapa is the peak of Tibetan Buddhist yoga, meditation, practice and realization. He is said to be a living example of boundless compassion, joy and wisdom. He is the chief spiritual teacher of the countries of Bhutan, and Sikkim and is a guide to hundreds of thousands of disciples throughout the world. Traditionally, just before passing away, all Karmapas leave a note indicating when and where they will be reborn. At the time of recording this tape, we are awaiting news of the birth of the 17th Karmapa.
His Holiness Karmapa asked me to set up the Kagyu video project to produce and distribute this one and other tapes on Tibetan Buddhist meditation and its teachers. This nonprofit project welcomes you to write us for further information at the address listed at the end of this tape.
As His Holiness states, the most direct way for one to experience, understand and realize the benefits of the Buddhist teachings is to study directly with a Lama. Therefore, all of the centers and monasteries His Holiness has set up throughout the world welcome you to experience this directly. You can also buy books and tapes of these teachings by writing to the monasteries. It is said that His Holiness’ blessing can be experienced merely by thinking of him. Certainly, it is our wish that all who see and hear this tape directly experience this blessing and that each and every one of you can realize your innate peace, joy, awareness and tranquility. What follows is the interview I did with Karmapa. It was translated by Ngödub Burkhar, thank you.
First of all, we would like to thank His Holiness for granting us this interview on behalf of all of Karme Choling centers in America, and so that we can hopefully think of him and remember him always, even though he is not here in flesh and physical body.
Question: What is the overall purpose of Buddhist meditation? What are its benefits to the general public of America?
Karmapa XVI: His Holiness feels that there is, in fact, a great benefit because people everywhere are caught up in all kinds of situations of confusion and ignorance, and through the understanding and integration of the Buddhist teaching there is the possibility of a complete breakthrough, in that there is the possibility of becoming completely sane and completely awake, an uprooting of all situations of ignorance and confusion. And because of this ignorance and confusion, beings everywhere go through all kinds of sufferings.
As His Holiness had said earlier, the purpose of sending a learned teacher like our abbot [Khenpo Karthar] is also to make the teaching available to all the people and available in such a way that they can understand the benefit of it, which aims at explaining and making it understandable that we are capable of becoming completely sane.
Question: How long should a beginning person meditate daily?
Karmapa XVI: His Holiness said that actually, one should meditate as much as possible because the more the better. There is not a fixed time, yet because of one’s responsibilities in the world, it is not always possible to have a lot of time to practice. So therefore, doing the meditation practice as consistently as possible is most important. And beside this, you have teachers with you, and in accordance with the instructions of the teachers that practicing is very important, some sense of a situation of personal relationship with the teachers is also very important. Here in America, His Holiness has left teachers and his representatives here. Since the teachers and the teachings are available, taking advantage of them and making it very personal is very important.
Question: Again, for beginners. There are many more beginners coming in the next few years before His Holiness comes back. And if His Holiness could please speak about Shine meditation and what are the benefits and advantages?
Karmapa XVI: His Holiness says that the mind is at the moment going through such situations of restlessness and uncertainty. These situations of restlessness are like boiling water: it’s just like that. And in that situation you receive the teaching – you find yourself placed in a very difficult situation in that you sort of have heard the teachings, yet you really haven’t understood what you heard because your mind is so absolutely confused and going through all kinds of uncertainty. So, in order to be able to completely accommodate as well as appreciate and understand the teachings fully, first one must develop the calmness of one’s mind. And for calming one’s mind, the Shine or tranquility meditation practice is very important. In fact, relating to any aspect of the Buddhist practices, the basic ground is the calmness and the clarity of one’s mind, which is developed through the basic sitting practice of Shine. And then, when one has developed a certain calmness and clarity of one’s mind, then one could appreciate the idea of a compassionate mind, and practice and develop compassion, and then tread on the path of the Bodhisattvas; or, at a more beginner level, understand the meaning of the Four Thoughts that Turn One’s Mind Towards the Dharma and appreciate them and integrate them. This is what turns one towards following the compassionate being’s ideas, those of the Bodhisattvas ideals, and trying them on the Bodhisattva’s path; and then towards following the highest vehicle, the Vajradhara teachings. So if one does follow the practices in this systematic way, it could become very, very meaningful.
Question: Could you please give us some advice for those of your students who have responsibilities in the world and are pulled towards their jobs and their careers and their families if they have children and how they can integrate their practice bit more into their life, into their everyday daily life?
Karmapa XVI: If individuals have a sincere appreciation of the teachings, along with their involvement in the mundane world, taking care of their job responsibilities or family responsibilities, then with their appreciation of the teachings a certain time can be found, and an appropriate distribution of time can be made, and that could affect one’s proper integration of the Dharma. And so that is very important. And also this is dependent on the understanding that one’s spiritual friends have in such situations, in considering that you have such involvements, so that in whatever way the teachings can be made more available or more easily available to you in accordance with your availability of time, that is also a possibility.
Question: Could His Holiness tell the students how we can develop a more loving kindness and compassion towards each other within the Sangha and out into the communities where our Dharma centers are?
Karmapa XVI: His Holiness says first by understanding the importance and then by training one’s mind with mindfulness; if one is not going to train oneself with mindfulness and first develop conditional loving-kindness and compassion, it will not just happen by itself. For instance, if one encountered a certain aggressive situation one immediately realized that one’s teacher had explained and had told one the healthiest and realistic thing to do. So in this way, reminding oneself and training oneself.
Question: Is there a possibility of tulkus being born in America or in the West in general? And then how would this affect our cultural life in America?
Karmapa XVI: His Holiness says – yes, there is a good possibility that tulkus or incarnate teachers are coming or taking birth in in the West, because in the past such have not happened, because the teachings had not been established, the teachings had not taken root in the West. Now that the teachings are beginning to be established and taking root in the West and in order to continue the work of making the teachings available, such compassionate teachers will be born; for instance, if a certain couple are the parents of an enlightened teacher, then there would definitely be very much inspired and encouraged themselves to get fully involved in the practice of the teachings.
And also, there is the possibility of some changes in the way of relationships, because being born in an American form, for instance, the appearance in the American culture and in the Western culture, that one from the very beginning of one’s life would be familiar with such a culture and of the people, that could bring some definite changes in the way of communication, in the way of presentations.
Question: Many people in America would be interested to know, according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, do women have an equal chance to progress spiritually and become enlightened beings as men?
Karmapa XVI: Through the compassionate teachings of the Buddha and through the power of the compassion, His Holiness says that through the recitation of certain sacred syllables like the mantras, it could affect the transformation of the lives of tiny creatures, such as that of the tiniest insect. Through the recitation of the mantras and through transmission of the blessings and the compassion of that towards these creatures, such experience of raising up so that never having to be born into lower realms is possible; and of course, there is no difference for male or female or for men and women, and also there is no discrimination in terms of belonging to a higher family or that of a lower family. This situation of caste does not exist in the compassionate teachings of the Buddha. So all have equal chances.
Question: You said in an earlier interview that during this time in the world, the gross and neurotic aspects of human qualities are becoming more present and more apparent. Could you elaborate on this and also on what you see happening in the world in the future? Will this degradation or this turning away from Dharma increase or will it decrease?
Karmapa XVI: His Holiness says that is very personal, it’s very individual, whether it’s going to change in whatever direction, as His Holiness said earlier, therefore the practice of the calmness and the clarity of one’s mind through meditation is very important, and then through that, practicing loving-kindness and compassion and confidence in the teachings. And as one begins to develop the calmness, develop the clarity of one’s mind, and train one’s mind to be more compassionate and gentle, then one is able to accommodate different situations and have and give space. And at such points, even if the one has not completely uprooted one’s habitual patterns and neurotic thoughts, yet one will find oneself not completely overwhelmed or controlled by one’s negative thoughts that take place, yet one is also able to work towards the dissolving the thoughts and avoid them becoming negative, powerful actions.
This consistent practice and integration of the meaning of the Dharma is absolutely important, that of calmness and clarity of the mind and that of compassionate insight and attitude. If one has those experiences, then it’s a sign that one is beginning to integrate the meaning of the Dharma. If not, it’s just when teachings are happening and one is listening to them, and in other times one has forgotten them, and if this situation is going to continue, then at one point that one is going to become more and more distant from the Dharma and more and more disconnected. And finally, the chances of one’s mind properly following the Dharma would be low in this situation. So that’s why that integration of what one understands is definitely very important.
Question: Would His Holiness have any final word to tell his students in America himself, even though many of his great Lamas are here teaching us, that he could tell us before he returns again and how soon can he return again?
Karmapa XVI: His Holiness says that because of accumulation of merit, we have the teachings available for us, fortunate beings of a fortunate time, in the case of those who have been able to be involved in the practice of the Dharma; and when one has such an opportunity as this, when one is able to completely involve oneself in the practice of the Dharma, then some situation of discipline and decency is definitely very important: the discipline and decency in the way of honoring the teachings and that of honoring the teachers. For instance, with one’s teacher and the way he directs one’s path and lights one’s path: in order to give one proper directions and proper insight certain recommendations or certain advice is given, then it should be one’s sincerest concern to make sure that these are followed through. And that practices are done properly. Centers which are studied under the direction of His Holiness Karma Tegsum Chöling and that of Trungpa Rinpoche or Kalu Rinpoche, are exactly the same in the same lineage, have the same teachings and the same purposes. This is like three people of the same family. And so that understanding is very important. And so many teachers are coming and the great Bodhisattvas are also visiting and very soon that you are going to have the visit of the most venerable Shamar Rinpoche.
And in this way, the teachers and the teachings are available to you. And one has to make complete use of the availability of the teaching. And His Holiness is very much impressed by the discipline that the members of Dharmadhatu have under the direction of Trungpa Rinpoche. And we are also doing very well. We are progressing, and yet it’s important to be able to follow proper disciplines, and in whatever way individuals, as members of the centers, can contribute and can exert themselves in enhancing and developing in that, so that our centers and everything altogether becomes more outwardly and inwardly uplifted and more dignified, is important. And then towards that in one’s own practice also exertion and clarity and longing and a sense of certitude and confidence is very important. For instance, at a certain particular time you have the need for teachings or you have the need for practices, that involves making sure that you do so. So in that you are just being a very good example because the true teachings, the teachings must last and will last for a very long time. And we have to set examples for generations and generations to come. In fact, for eons and eons that a lasting example. And so the responsibility is very, very important.
Add to that some degree of setting a good example for ourselves and for the benefit of others. So through one’s confidence and clarity and longing and certitude and proper exertion in the Dharma and proper sense of openness, all these must be followed through and developed. And also the accumulation of merit is definitely important in order to fully appreciate and integrate the meaning of the teachings. And Gampopa emphasized this very much. In fact, Gampopa’s name was Sönam Richen – the jewel of merit or the precious merit – and therefore the accumulation of merit is very important. We talk about the accumulation of merit and awareness, accumulation of merit in the way that realizing the importance of the enlightened object of refuge, and in whatever way everyone can respect them, honour them, uphold them, and to make offerings in the way of flowers, incense and any worthy objects of offering. Through that one makes the meritorious accumulations and through one’s meditation practices the accumulation of awareness. So the two accumulations are very important. As far as the Buddhas and the Bodhisattvas are concerned, having attained the perfect state of enlightenment that is Buddhahood through the inexhaustible accumulation of meritorious qualities and of compassion, that has manifested in many different forms and in many different skillful ways towards benefiting beings.
So as far as the blessings and the guidance are concerned, they are inexhaustible. It’s not like other situations of relationships or of work that give help. And so one should take full advantage of these. And as far as the centers are concerned, ours is not like different parties, different organizations, one being in competition with the others. Ours is a sacred place. It’s the place of the teachings, the sacred place of the practice. And so therefore, again, setting a true example of the sacredness of it, think that ours is to help each other, to a situation of sanity, of enlightenment, and that this is our purpose and this is what we are capable of, and that we should be able to bring that out to the world so that peace and calmness could be brought to all beings, and that audience could then appreciate our work and take part in it because they see that there is discipline, there is dignity, and there is sanity. There is that understanding, friendship in it. And so therefore, our responsibility is, in fact, very much towards that end. His Holiness also has made Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, Woodstock as the main seat, and that’s where the traditional monastery will be built.
And the purpose of the monastery will be also that that it will house many, many sacred statues and sacred teachings in the way of the Kagyüs, and that it will be symbolizing the presence of the Buddha Dharma and many, many monks and teachers. And so in this way, a treasure of the teachings, and in order to make the teachings available to the Western world and people, these are the objects that are in His Holiness’ mind such that this should come about. And so, having these opportunities available, one also should make one’s relationship and one’s practice very meaningful, the Dharma never had ever been deceptive, and that in practicing the Dharma there’s definite fruition. And so with confidence and with the situation of tirelessness, working and practicing is very, very important; and towards that, and towards the peace of the world, and towards the flourishing of the Dharma, and towards the progress of your work in the different centers and the different individual practitioners, His Holiness’s prayers and thoughts are always with all of you that you may all live long and in healthy ways and with understanding and everything, in fact, in a very proper way. Tashi Delek to all of you!
Transcript: Jerzy Kunowski. Corrections: Cecilia Hollingworth
[1] Generally Marpa Lotsawa is considered as the founder of the Kagyü lineage. He lived in the 11th century.
