Archive Result

Soundfile 20101126GRJHNLFANC-1

Speaker Gelek Rimpoche

Location Jewel Heart Netherlands

Topic FANC: Freedom

Transcriber Janet Bourgon

Date Nov. 24, 2021

0:00:00.0.

[Introduction of Rimpoche in Dutch.]

0:01:13.2. [Host: Rimpoche. This evening about freedom. Freedom and the other (thing?)]

Rimpoche: Thank you. Okay. Well, thank you for the introduction and welcome everybody. Welcome. And it is wonderful to see many of you who we have seen before. And there are a few of you I might have not recognize you, seen you before, or maybe I’m getting too old. So maybe forgetting. But whatever. But welcome all of you whether you have been here before or first time today. And welcome. So today it is special day here in Jewel Heart. Very nice to see [0:02:53.7 Ree-em-ria?].

0:03:00.1.

Special day because it happens to be we been celebrating 25th anniversary of Jewel Heart, existence actually. As I always say Jewel Heart established first in Netherlands and second in America. I think Netherlands Jewel Heart is two- or three-years senior to Jewel Heart United States. Maybe two years? Two years. Okay. Today we have a nice day celebration throughout afternoon, whole afternoon. A beautiful [0:04:08.1 firm?] work. It was beautifully done. It is a tribute to the Jewel Heart in general and particularly late Helen who happens to be your fellow citizen, a native daughter who probably born in [Moldo?]. That’s a few miles from here. And who had devoted her life to a number of things and particularly the intellectual movement of sixties and seventies. And also the social changes that needed for the Dutch society. And intellectual socialist, socialistic movement for freedom and independent functioning of spiritual path.

0:06:06.1.

And the freedom of political movement, and right choice of the individual self-determination. And she was very much involved in those movement, and that movement led her to be moving towards Buddhism and that of Tibetan Buddhism. If you let that Buddhism be what it is, it is tremendous freedom and it is tremendous opportunity and it has tremendous capacity. If you don’t let it be, it can be very [0:07:14.5 restutted?], very sectarian, can anything can be. So I think that led to Helen particularly at that time with this determining intellectual, young, should I say push and led her to explore the Buddhism in general and particularly that of Tibetan Buddhism. That ultimately led to the establishment of the Jewel Heart. So that was very well depicted in that pictures or what you call it? Firm? Film [0:08:16.5 ??] whatever. Yeah, thank you. Sorry little to know, but thank you.

0:09:00.3.

It was those days, I’m sure many of you remember, it is a period that social change is going in Netherland particularly spiritual path, particularly that of Catholic tradition. And it is big social change going. And what they’re really looking for, true change, true freedom, true helpful effectiveness of the individual’s life. And it was that period there’s a tremendous amount of energy with the society at that moment. That really lead to the like Helen taking interest not only to just Buddhism but that of Tibetan Buddhism.

0:12:05.7.

We also have people who have started Jewel Heart at that time along with Helen. Number of people that we still functioning and doing very well in Jewel Heart particularly in the various organizations of activities in Jewel Heart like the Elders and Dharma Coordinating Committee, and also we do have on the advisory levels. And we have still people functioning since then continuously in 25 years. And I think I really owe them my deepest gratitude and thank you. And also the purpose of why they’re doing it is also not only to help them self, to serve the fellow Dutch citizens. And also we have a lot of newcomers and since then. So I think that is a wonderful thing. It is the root of dharma is taking it is place. [0:14:52.7]

0:15:03.2.

And so now is the time to grow. And when it is grow, we should grow it with the freedom. With the freedom. Because, you know, originally if you look at it why they started. Either you’re looking for freedom and you started. Now you’re functioning. So should be able to function with the freedom. And then it will be time for us to get the result, the fruit, and that also should come with the freedom. So the freedom is actually the real purpose of what we’re doing. You know, when I say freedom, don’t think political, economic freedom only. I’m thinking not only political, not only economic, but spiritual too. Yet that freedom should have a discipline. If there’s no discipline then things can be little, little [translator: crazy] crazy, there you go. You know [0:17:34.9 middle lines??] has a tremendous freedom. You can smoke in coffee shop. Right?

0:18:02.1.

Coffee with a K, right? But if you smoke in the wrong coffee shop, coffee with a C, then you get into difficulties too. Likewise, the spiritual path should have a total freedom, yet it doesn’t mean no discipline. Spiritual path without discipline if you go you could get it a little difficulties. Although at that moment, that period I’m talking about that period. The beatnik poets used to say, touch whatever you want to touch. Say whatever you want to say. Cry if you want to cry. Right? Scream if you want to scream. And these are the movements they used to say that way. It’s true. Touch what you want to touch. Say what you want to say. But don’t touch the wrong thing. [Laughs.] The problem lies is the our ego. The ego is a problem. Ego does not want any discipline.

0:21:06.9.

Ego is also an addiction. Is addiction. Addiction to anger, obsession, jealousy. So when you don’t have any discipline, sometimes we been controlled, managed, and executed by ego rather than ourself. When that happens, that ego turns ourself in the circle the wrong way. Our problems become more stronger, more worse. Our freedom is less and weaker. And that is the real [0:23:04.1 prano?] source of difficulty that mankind we face. Truly speaking, the intellectual, philosophy, even politics, economics, and specially the spiritual path are meant to correct that. Supposed to be. Even politics.

0:24:05.3.

And that’s why we say government for the people, by the people. I’m sure they say that in Holland too. Right? But then some politicians will say, let me serve you so that I can control you. So that’s where the corruption comes in, in politics. And it is the same thing for the spiritual path, too. Really. When the spiritual path does not become for the people, to the service of the people, but spiritual path becomes for the center, for the dharma organization, or dharma master, that is exactly same as politicians says, let me serve you so that I can control you. Buddha introduced this beautiful path called Buddhism. I mean Buddhism was called later. During the Buddha’s lifetime I don’t think it’s called Buddhism. But anyway, later we call Buddhism. It’s beautiful path. Buddha also have a lot of disciplines within Buddhism too.

0:27:04.1.

The discipline is simple. It’s not one, I mean it’s not one blanket discipline. Because I really wanted to say that today to you. It’s not one blanket. It’s not like a blanket just throw it away. No. It depends on the individual person. You know, to some people discipline is so much important so that they don’t suffer. To some people discipline’s not so necessary, so that they can have more choice and more things. To some people it’s almost become opposite of beginning discipline. And that is freedom within the Buddhism. So to some people the discipline is so hard, so hard to some people. Discipline’s so hard. And they don’t even look five foot this way or five foot that way. Sit, meditate. To some people it’s fine. They can deal with it because people can manage by themself. When you can manage, and you don’t have to have that discipline. It is individualized, not blanket-wise. I mean are you with me? It’s not means exactly what I have to do, you don’t have to do it.

0:30:02.7.

Exactly what you have to do, I don’t have to do it. So does other individual. It is sort of individually. And that also you yourself is the one who will discipline yourself. Nobody else. The sole purpose, the real purpose, of the spiritual path is actually to free the individual. To free individual from the clutches of ego. And the clutches of egos are the, our negative emotions, such as obsession, hatred, and all this. So getting ourself free from that is the sole purpose of spiritual path, not the worship, not the service. Those like Helen, those intellectual, energetic, young people not only in Holland here, but also you know those in the movements in the sixties in the west, you know United States and everywhere else, are actually looking for that freedom. Freedom from the ego control.

0:33:03.8.

And this is the same aim, the same goal, when Buddha introduced Buddhism to benefit of the people that’s 2600 years ago. The wonderful teaching, or the wonderful path, of wisdom that 2600 years ago, [0:33:56.4 shown to us?] it is still remain the same with those intellectual movements in the sixties and seventies. And it is still same today. It depends on us the user, how would you like to use it? Would you like to use this as some kind of strong discipline? Or some kind of balance? Or total freedom? Is totally in our hand. And in your hand. You have to make the choice. And if you don’t choose right and then you can deprive yourself the opportunity right in front of you.

0:36:01.2.

Do not make mistake. The purpose is to cut down the negative emotions and ego and ego influence. And what you hope to gain, what you hope to gain is the total freedom. Buddhahood is the ultimate freedom, the total freedom. It is the total change we are looking for. So, two years ago we thought total change is Obama. The Germans said it’s definite at that time. Did you get me? Probably not. He went to Germany and give campaign and a huge amount of Europeans showed up to that campaign lecture and said, yes definitely that is the change. So whether Obama’s making change or not making change, I think change it take a lot place, too. [0:38:19.0] Lot of time, too. However, the true change, what we’re really looking for, is from the suffering in true freedom and joy of life. That is the goal of your spiritual path. If that’s giving you that, your spiritual path is right. If that’s not giving you, your spiritual path is wrong. You have to be judge of yourself. Do not let any one judge you.

0:39:02.7.

So the true society movement, true philosophy, true politics, and true spiritual path, are all same thing, same purpose, to make ourself better, whatever the way it is. It is your goal. It is our goal. For you also in this cold weather. I’m sorry, somehow I was cold yesterday. Today a little better. But in this cold weather coming by bicycle over here at 9:00 at night, [0:40:38.2 is?] some reasons. The reason what you are, what you’re looking for is the change. Change that pains into some joy. You know, know, this is path which is capable of giving it to you. You know? Sometimes you can work. Sometimes you can’t work. Because it is the human life. But you have the knowledge. You have the understanding. And that’s why you’re coming back and coming back and coming back. Even cold night, raining 9 o’clock. Make it worthwhile by choosing right.

0:42:01.2.

So path that Buddha gives us is really do not let people down. The buddha, dharma, and the sangha will look, as Buddhist, will look as objective refuge. And that never let any people down. And you knew it. You knew it. But you have nothing to do with the Buddha. It is some crazy intellectual person of Indian, prince or no prince, whatever it is. And today we talk about the Buddha so nicely. But I can sometime think when you talk about the Buddha, it is some nutty little Indian guy with sarong around and chappal and walking through the dust of India, with that idea of freedom. And that affected, that affected, the millions of people for 2600 years. And even in [0:44:49.6 nime eegan??] today, 2000, is it 10 or 11? 10, okay! Even in [nime agan??] 2010 people like you, such as yourself, intelligent, educated, wonderful, your thoughts been influenced by that Indian guy who came in 2600 years ago in the dust of India.

0:45:31.5.

With the chappal and the sarong. See how important it is. And whatever little idea that left for us we have to hold that. I’m not try to say you should become Buddhist. I’m try to say get that idea and move forward. I guess I have nothing more to say, I guess. Looking at this watch it is said five after nine, so the best thing’s to shut up my mouth. But one thing I like to say thank you. Every time I come here you all come back and see me. That’s very kind.

0:48:09.4.

Thank you. I hope your efforts becomes worthwhile. And this time I’m here for another, what is it 10 days? Or something. We go 10 days or something. And we do have some initiations and teachings and all that coming up for the next week or so. Which is not really, what should I say? Open. It is not open because you are not good enough to come in. But it is sort of prerequisite requirements and commitments and all kinds of things. So it is not really for, it is not really a toy that everybody can play with it. [Audience: It should be until 10:00]. Oh 10:00! Okay, okay, alright! I thought it’s till 9:00. Sorry. Okay. So we got one more hour then. Okay thank you. [Laughs.] Okay. Well, let’s do that. It’s not a toy to play by everybody. And I was just informed we got one more hour. And also, you know what I was try to say is also, but that might not be for open for everybody. But Sunday, is it next Sunday or what?

0:51:10.8.

The initiation? The longevity initiation. Saturday. Okay? Next Saturday there’s a longevity initiation of Buddha of Longevity and which has no restrictions and if you are interested every kids can come and play a toy. Do you get it? Right? I don’t mean kids. Big kids. Every big kids. Okay. Now we got [0:52:15.9 a since??] we got a one hour extra. Do you have to go and take a pee-pee break, or you can continue? Whatever the people wants. You know we are talking about the freedom. And you don’t even have a freedom to choose whether you want to go to bathroom or not. That won’t work. [Laughs and laughter.] Let’s people see what they want it. They want it. Okay, take 10 minutes.

0:53:12.1.