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Soundfile 20010526GRGRGLG004

Speaker Gelek Rimpoche

Location eg: New York

Topic e.g: nyur lam

Transcriber Carmela Huang

Date February 14, 2021

So, estate managers are…it’s not that wise. Um, it is better if you do it directly whatever you want to do it. And then…uh…you know, you can give it away whatever you want to. But you don’t have to give it to that person. You can make it clear to be given here and given there, and make it clear. 0:00:23.4. And don’t really have to give until you die, if you’re afraid you didn’t die and then have left nothing. So, you don’t really have to give until you completely die, but it’s better that you do it yourself. This is what this one tells. 0:00:41.4.

So, then the next comes. 0:00:45.6. The loved ones. The loved ones. Then they…then you also attachment to your body. And, uh, all those things you have to deal with it. You have to work. Because that’s why I keep talking to you this morning. Single little attachment. I give you example of the shower [0:01:06.1] and I give you example of the shirt. 0:01:09.2. Then I can give you a lot of other examples. Lot of other…early Buddhist stories, um, all of those. There are a lot of them. So there’s no point for me. 0:01:27.2

Actually, during the Shariputra’s…that, uh…this one doesn’t have two monks standing. 0:01:36.7. So, uh, the Buddha had two outstanding disciples – monks to standing normally right and left of the Buddha images you see them. One is called Shariputra, which is the wisdom guy. And the other called Mohongalputra [0:01:53.5], which is the magical guy. So the magical guy took one of his disciple, uh, through magically on a tour one day. And showed so many…so many interesting things, among them, he showed a snake are running through a dead body. Only the bones are left and nothing else there. The snake running through that thing. 0:02:24.2. The bones – in and out – and going through the bones. You know, getting through certain holes and then running around, get outside and get in and out. 0:02:36.0. And showed that.

And telling it was somebody who had very strong attachment to their own body. 0:02:44.5. So, that’s the rebirth it’s taking in the snake form who couldn’t get over from that body because so much attachment. 0:02:54.8. I think that story’s available in the Pabongka’s Liberation in, uh, what is it? Liberation in Palm of Your Hand. It’s good…This guy is good. He remembers everything. 0:03:12.9.

So…so it’s in there if you. There are quite a number of stories like this. But they’re not be giving at level where the death where was talking. I think they’re giving level where talking about attachment. 0:03:29.1. Or in common with the medium level, somewhere down there. Maybe. I don’t remember exactly, but…So, that’s given there.

So attachment makes, uh, very, very difficult. 0:03:51.0. So it is important to handle, um, particularly attachment part. And that doesn’t mean you have to cut out your friends. Uh, but, uh, but, uh, it’s not. Certainly not the right thing to do. 0:04:11.5. It’s not. But you have to do is what you have to do – you have to understand what you’re going through – you have to understand their feelings and you have to came to a con…sort of…sort of conclusion and understanding. 0:04:27.3. Um…um….

It’s very funny. 0:04:35.1. Um. I have a friend, uh, a friend who died in Delhi. 0:04:44.8. And, um, and he…his wife was married to a Bhutanese prime minister before and the prime minister was assassinated. And then she remarried to that friend of…that friend of mine. And also this Bhutanese prime minister’s wife is Daisy’s sister, the woman who I was married. 0:05:14.6. So I had to handle all his dying period over there. And, uh, that, uh, prime minister’s wife…his wife said, well, it is important not have attachment so I’m not going to see him. She won’t come and see him at all in the hospital. At all. And it was a little hard from him. 0:05:36.0. So I don’t think that’s the right way to do. So because telling…talking to you with my own personal experience. Though he’s managing himself perfectly well. 0:05:48.0. Perfectly well, but occasionally he ask, um, he ask her and she won’t come. She said, well, uh, just tell him not to have attachment or something. He’s [laughing - 0:05:59.7] message, not very easy. 0:06:03.8. I didn’t tell him that she said not to have attachment. But, I said, she’s okay, she’s busy and all that and that. It’s funny. And then he get some kind of hallucination occasionally. And in the hallucination that…that he’s saying, well I have to go and I have to catch plane. 0:06:27.4. And about his wife is Tesla. 0:06:30.2. And he’s ab…I’m afraid Tesla will not be ready. We’re going to miss the plane. 0:06:37.7.

So, then suddenly he hears the monks are chanting. And he said, well I hear this tantric college. Because in he’s back in Tibet, you know that. He said, they’re chanting, see? Listen. 0:06:53.1. Well [inaudible - 0:06:52.2] say listen. Then he says the words. They’re somewhere middle of Guhyasamaja conclusion, you know? He’s repeats the words. See? They’re saying that. 0:07:01.6. They’re…they’re there. They’re there. They’re praying. They’re saying this. And then he says, oh yeah, I hear this trumpet blowing and all this, you know? 0:07:09.9. He said, I hear this.

And then again he say, well we have to catch the plane and Tesla’s not ready still, you know? 0:07:19.3. So, he’s going there and he about to die and then, um, he had that very, you know, this thing coming in. He really was…really it’s okay. He’s hearing the monks. 0:07:32.9. The whole tantric 500 monks chanting in one side. And he’s also hearing the trumpet blowing and all this beautiful flute playing and all this. And then he said, well we’re going to miss the plane because Tesla’s not ready. And that goes on for a while. And then, what I did is I said Yamantaka sadhana. 0:07:53.5.

Um, quite loudly. It’s become little too loud. And even…that’s a private nursing home, but, um, even the next door people begin to complain because it’s a little too loud. 0:08:09.8. But what happened is that Yamantaka sadhana revived him back completely. So that he doesn’t have to go through the, um, that on and off business. Tesla’s going to miss the plane and that he doesn’t have to do that, you know? 0:08:30.6. So, I said Yamantaka sadhana loudly so that he just sort of revived for another sixty hours or something.

So…so, then he died after that. And then there was no problem of Tesla going to be late and going to miss the plane is not there. 0:08:58.5. So, even that…that…that is the thing. Because even you’re quite okay, basically you have very good positive karma in your store and you’re quite good and even then a little attachment comes in and give you a little trouble. 0:09:20.8 So it is best thing is to have some understanding and draw a…What you call that? Draw conclusion? Or you say…What is it? Close the deal? 0:09:32.0. Or whatever. Some kind of gain some understanding and, um, and don’t…don’t…Some people may not have it at all. But if they do, so that is another thing. 0:09:45.7.

And then of course your own body. We all have very strong attachment to our body. You have no idea how strong attachment we have in our body. Really do. The biggest attachment is our own body. 0:10:04.4. Nothing else.

Much more. So…so we have to watch that. 0:10:11.6. And, uh, then, uh, of course try to purify all the negativities as much as you can from…from various way of purifying. But especially these four powers. 0:10:29.8. Application of four powers and try to purify as much as you can. If you died in a pure level, there is no level you can take any terrible sufferings during the death period and during the bardo and taking a lower rebirth is out of question. 0:10:57.1. So, so, the purification…And also dedication. Dedicating all your positive karma for benefit of all sentient beings that one can become a Buddha. And, uh, for that, you dedicate. 0:11:20.6

Okay? So, those who are Vajrayana practitioners, though I shouldn’t be talking that, I’m going to say it today. Um, two or three reasons, um…0:11:46.1. Because, um, a number of times we don’t do this in the Vajrayana alone. So, we try to be keeping that as a sort of little bit different…confidence. 0:12:04.1 Is the people who are in the Vajrayana may be deprived of the opportunity. And also these days if you try to be ma…this is sacred, you can’t talk and so this and that. And, uh, then what happens is after little while, the information may not even be available. 0:12:20.9. So…so, with all this reasons, I’m going to talk a little about here.

So, no matter whatever, uh, your practice may be, and if you practice in the…let’s say Yamantaka or something. Or Heruka, doesn’t matter. The yidam whatever you may be. Doesn’t matter. About this time, then, um, it is important for you to visualize in the form of yidam. 0:13:01.1. Um, probably with consort. [Inaudible question -0:13:05.7]. Yes. In the form of yidam. Uh, probab…preferably with consort. And, uh, and, um, and, um, with the consort union. 0:13:29.0. And, from that angle, the joy…uh…which you experience and, uh, from that joy, by nature, it is that joy…And this is not…uh…Not an ordinary sex that we are talking it. Do not misunderstand that. Because that’s is definitely different. 0:13:58.5.

So, the joy nature blue light covers all existence. Joy nature, blue light covers whole existence. 0:14:17.0. Every environment become pureland. Every inhabitants – human beings – become pure beings. 0:14:36.0. So, the moment the first sign of earth element quitting, when you begin to see the mirage, and then it is time for you to melt your mandala so all the pure environment that you have created will be dissolved to the pure beings. 0:15:17.6.

And the even pure beings will also dissolve through your self. 0:15:45.2. Then, when the water element is giving up, the overwhelming sign of fire, the smoke, when you being to experience, it is the time for your self in the form of yidam melt from the upper part and the lower part of the body as though if you put something a [sigh] [0:16:27.2] or something on the glass, and then it will start shrink from the end. What you call that one? [sigh]. 0:16:39.7. Vaporization or condensation. If you throw a thing on the glass, it will start to removing from the all ends. Likewise, you yourself also started melting, your physical body of yidam started to melting from the upper and the lower part. 0:17:04.2. Lower part.

And, um, finally, dissolve at your heart level whatever symbol you may have it. Letter “hum,” “om ah hum,” mostly. 0:17:22.0. The “om” being the crown, “ah” being at the throat, “hum” being at the heart level. 0:17:26.0. So mostly “hum” there. And you have to visualize, and you dissolving your external body is completely dissolved and the letter “hum” left. Then the fire element give up. 0:17:53.1. Then you have the sign of air…air. Then, it is…uh…that spark flying all over. 0:18:04.1. And moment you have that, the lower part of the letter “hum” dissolves to the main letter “ha.” 0:18:17.4. And then the next is air dissolved to the consciousness. And what you get that candlelight burning…light burning sign. This is the time the letter “ha” dissolves to the “ha” head. 0:18:51.6.

That then, all movement [0:19:15.7] – energy movements all and even thought movement – all of them are now…um…going to dissolve to the feeling level. 0:19:29.9. The whitish sign, which, again, the books will tell you like a…like a…having a moonlight shining at the night. 0:19:46.8. And then whitish feeling and that was the time that “ha” head it dissolve to the kusand. [0:20:02.9]. Then, kusand dissolves to the squiggle. And that was the time when the feeling dissolve to the separation. 0:20:22.9. So you have reddish feeling. The books will give you like sunlight shine. 0:20:31.3. So, kusand dissolves to…to the circle. So the…then there’s cheva [0:20:49.5] dissolves to the thing, black, and then it’s…then you get the dark feeling. 0:20:56.9

It is a dark night. 0:21:08.2. Then, um, “ha” head to kusand, kusand to circle, circle to squiggle. Last one squ…Did I say squiggle earlier? 0:21:23.9. I think I did. So that is mistake. “Ha” head…I’m reading here and then said mistake. 0:21:30.1. “Ha” head, uh, dissolve to the…the kusand, kusand dissolve to the circle, circle dissolve to the squiggle. That’s what it is. 0:21:41.2. Then, then you have the darkness. Then you don’t have neither the white, nor the red, nor the darkness. But it’s like a spacelike, open, light. 0:22:24.3. Um…They give you like example of autumn, um, uh, early morning – there’s some light, but very clear, crystal, um, not free of white, red, or darkness. 0:22:50.2. And that’s is what call it – clear light of death. And that time, even the squiggle has completely disappeared. 0:23:04.4

So, at that time, the practitioners are expected to acknowledge that as a true dharmakaya. That dharmakaya is also perceived, uh, by, uh, a pure mind. And that pure mind is also in joy nature. Bliss nature. 0:23:52.3. I don’t think I can talk to you beyond that. Because otherwise then I will be talking about shouldn’t be talking here. So, those of you…Well I told you, you can listen to that primordial mind thing. And if you listen it, you will know it. A little more than that. What it is – all about it. 0:24:29.9. And I don’t really think I should talk to you much about it. So, actually, key for us to…to make best use at that level is the wisdom. 0:25:06.0. The understand…this is the…this is the level where you’re really bringing deep, quiet [0:25:13.3] down.

And, uh, and utilizing this opportunity to encounter the wisdom. 0:25:22.6. And, uh, you going to be bound to be encounter with primordial mind. Uh, primordial mind might not be wisdom. 0:25:31.6. And there are a number of people think it is. Uh, but might not be. Every single human being when they die, they encounter with primordial mind. 0:25:41.6 Otherwise, if that’s…that is a perfect understanding of wisdom…emptiness. Then there’s a fall back in emptiness. It’s a big problem. 0:25:52.0. But on the other hand, um, on the other hand, even in the Gelugpa tradition, even like the upper Tantric college, Gyuto, accept encounter with the primordial is understanding of emptiness. 0:26:08.9. But it might not. Might not be. So…So these are the important things where you have to understand and, uh, know about where you go. 0:26:21.3.

That’s why, uh, we do this winter retreat teachings for that reason. So…so that is important to remember. 0:26:35.5.

Okay, so earlier I told you one stage where you can transform everything. And even way before, you can go away. 0:26:48.6. And this is not a transforming, but going through it. But going through it with the influence of joy, bliss and void, together. The bliss and void is….traveling you, getting you through…I mean another words, you got a vehicle to pass through with this in the bliss-void…bliss-void vehicle. Through which you can travel and you can expect the other side is nice place where you be landed. So…that’s the…that is the thing. 0:27:30.0.

Bliss is necessary here. Important. Um, without bliss, void alone can…and compassion alone, for example, can deliver you to certain extent, but to make it perfectly able to go smooth, long way, and all this, and, uh, the bliss support. [0:28:00.3]. And that’s why bliss-void combination made so important in Vajrayana. 0:28:07.2. That’s the reason. They’re talking about this particular bliss at that level. We’re not talking about sex. 0:28:15.8. So, that’s is very important to be…to be able to recognize. We’re not talking…we’re not…we’re not…this is not, uh, encouraging sexuality as, uh, dharma practice or anything. A lot of people misunderstand that. 0:28:35.2. And they make big deal out of it and, uh, try to make something called crazy wisdom or something. Some funny things here and there, but that’s not necessarily correct. And particularly not applicable for us at all. 0:28:52.4.

So…so…but, the bliss emphasized is because of this reason. 0:29:00.2. Without bliss, even you encounter with your primordial mind, you can’t stand there. They will bounce you back. That’s the reason why. 0:29:12.4. That’s why I told you this morning, when I watched the movie, the boy sees his own reflection in the…in the mirror. He going to fall off. Suddenly, he thought about it, jumped in the mirror and goes through. 0:29:29.8. So, I mean, that’s movie, but science fiction or whatever it is. But it gives you, uh, quite a good understanding in here. 0:29:38.2. I mean, at least they built on that basis of information. Or, maybe some very nice, learned, clev…clever person thought and produced or whatever. 0:29:51.9. Maybe somebody who had some experience shared some idea or whatever it is. And the…this interesting movie will give you your funny little things. In last couple of years, it has been wonderful, you know? 0:30:11.8.

Visualizations become so easy. We don’t have to have so much explanation because computer helps tremendously. 0:30:24.2. And, uh, and, uh, virtual reality helps the visualization, uh, without…without any difficulties, really. And, um, as I told you, a number of times, the Einstein and the Stephen Hawkings help us tremendously to understand the emptiness. 0:30:48.7. So, even from the scientific, um, point, how much you can contribute here. And, uh, to understand. And from here, I don’t know whether we contribute anything on the scientific or not. 0:31:12.0. But, uh, but, you know, without Einstein’s theory of relativity, it would be impossible for me explain what really it dependent nature is. 0:31:25.8.

The meaning of the emptiness, the essence of emptiness, is dependent nature. The dependent nature is…if you bottom…bottom-line it, uh, it is the…it comes down very clearly, interdependent relationship. And interdependent relationship that, uh, when you really at point of reference where the Einstein comes out with point of reference, theory of relativity. 0:31:58.3. So it really gives you the total idea of interdependent relationship, and that way it gives you the idea of, uh, of, uh, dependent-ness nature. 0:32:12.3. The dependent-ness…interdependent nature – essence of emptiness -makes emptiness understand much better. 0:32:21.6.

Anyway, so…the…there’s tremendous contribution from the scientific development to the spiritual path if we know what to pick up. 0:32:36.9. Unfortunately, in…for my case, I have no understanding of any physics at all. So I can only hear when the people talk, then I can begin to listen. 0:32:51.5. And if you give me articles which Jonathan give me, some from a Tata [0:32:56.4] Institute, some Indian guy. What is the theory? 0:33:02.2. Huh? String theory and all this. They give you the same idea. 0:33:06.8. But when I have to read it, I don’t get it. Because I don’t know the language. If somebody else read it to me, then I can hear it. 0:33:15.5. So then I begin to think about it. So, that is my problem. But I think from the scientific angle has tremendous contribution to understand the, uh, Buddha’s message. 0:33:30.6

At this…this is very funny. A lof people don’t like it. 0:33:36.8. To hear it. Scientific things. But on the other hand, it contributes in the spiritual tremendously. So, if there is no computer, how much time…Even you want to listen to me, how much time I have to talk to you, try to saying it possible everything be in one place, you can…you can store them one on top of the another. 0:33:59.4. You can keep it, this much place you need to save them. But how can I explain? 0:34:04.7. Even you get a picture, what picture you going to get it? You know? It’s sort of…sort of circling our heads around. But now we don’t have to do that. Computer tells you. And even the theory of relatively will tell you the point of reference. Without the point of reference, you cannot catch anything anywhere anything because it’s emptiness. 0:34:29.0.

So that’s why the…the relative existence and the emptiness is the, you know, essence of the emptiness is existent and essence of existence is emptiness. 0:34:43.6. This is the really true emptiness. That’s what useful to meditate here. 0:34:47.9. If you do this, that meditation will cut the…the…well, let’s put it down straightforward. The ego. 0:35:01.8. The ego cuts down. When the ego cuts down, the ego production’s cut down. When the ego production’s not there, the delusions go. When the delusion’s gone, there’s…there’s negative emotions are gone. 0:35:16.6. When the negative emotions are gone, their effects are gone. That is the reverse process of this. 0:35:24.2.

We are cooked in. 0:35:30.1. Now the reverse process is this. So that’s why, uh, what’s why even compassion and love – great wonderful thing – but it’s not a direct opponent of the ego. It doesn’t cut that way. 0:35:46.6. So it has to be the emptiness and wisdom. That’s what it is. 0:35:52.4. So, having said that, um, do we need the break or not? 0:36:02.0. Uh? [Laughing]. Yes, okay. How many people needs break? Okay, let’s take a break. Don’t take a very long…Just go out and walk around. Say [inaudible] the line they can wait for a little while. No rush. Don’t rush. So, it’s okay. 0:36:27.0.

And, um, one thing I had forgot to mention earlier – that is…that is when you are in practice, when you think that heart dissolve to the huh [0:36:46.4] body, and, um, those of people who are so used to it through that meditation and it says clearly here, and who have a very strong stable development of either subtle or gross development stage, um, and above that people may be able to meditate for long time. 0:37:19.0. But person like us – lay people like us – and we may not have so much capability of sitting there, staying there, in the long time. 0:37:32.6.

But not matter how long you are there, you should be able to meditate and focus on the way in which you mentioned emptiness or whatever. 0:37:47.0. And when you can’t do that, the moment your focus is begin to loose, and then immediately, even your practice immediately you should suppose to think, I’m now going to rise from that formless mental level to form level. 0:38:08.6. And, uh, then, within your visualization, and, uh, certainly it is your mind but in the form of squiggle, then square, then kusand, then “ha” head, then “ha” body and then “oo.” 0:38:30.0. And, uh, finally that transformed in the form of white Yamantaka, in the case of Yamantaka. 0:38:41.3. And, um, recognizing that as, um, sambhogakaya. 0:38:51.0. And also you have to think, this is the moment. That now I have completely disconnected with the old body. 0:39:02.3. So I will like to go wherever you want to go. Purelands of any Buddha, or good parents through which you can take a human rebirth and particularly rebirth where you can practice Vajrayana practice and complete what path you are on. 0:39:27.9.

So, even you don’t have such a high level development, but the power of practice and, um, by the power of mantra, and, um, all this, even though you are not highly developed, but you will be able to meditate a little longer there. 0:39:59.9. And not only that. It will lead you to a perfect rebirth. And also, I would like to take perfect rebirth is very important. Very important because, uh, our mind really creates lot of things. 0:40:25.5. Even Buddha himself said, “chonam tamjey…[0:40:31.2-0:40:34.9]”. He said all existence become based on the conditions. All the conditions been provided by our mind. 0:40:42.7. So that’s why to have a good rebirth is also very important. 0:40:50.8. Even when we are in life, we can even pray occasionally or every time or all the time to have a good future life whatever you want to. You can change it.

And, um, I tell you, uh, I have a friend…I had…we had a friend called Helen. Helen. 0:41:16.5. That’s a Dutch name. She was the instrument again to brought me to Netherlands. 0:41:27.2. And she was…she’s one of those first Western students that I have. Gelong-la and she both are coming from Kyabje Ling Rinpoche. It’s funny. So anyway…so, Helen, throughout her lifetime, she was focusing and practicing in Vajrayogini. 0:41:52.2. And, at the time when she was dying, just about forty minutes before she died, she called me. I was in Chicago. 0:42:09.1. And, um, and, uh, she…we talked quite a while. And she give me a lot of complaints. The complaint is because I didn’t go to Holland that time. Like two years or something in a row I didn’t get to Holland. And that’s what her complaint. 0:42:31.1. And, um, and all that. And then we’re talking about it and then she said, “no, I’m not going to go to the pureland of the Vajrayogini. I’m going to go the pureland of Tsong Khapa.” 0:42:45.8. And, uh, and then we talked a little bit about it and what she should think about it. And switching and all this and forty-five minutes or so on the phone. And, then, she less than half and hour, I called back. 0:43:09.7. And the person who I attending there – I don’t know whether she’s going to speak now. And, uh, and then they went up and they said, no, no she just died. 0:43:22.3.

So…so, the mind can make wherever you’re going to go. You can make your mind. And you can try to focus that. And you can even pray and focal…um…focus pushing is so important. 0:43:40.9. That’s why I’m trying to quote the Buddha here, saying, everything depends on the condition. Condition’s provided by the mind. So mind has that power. So that portion I forgot to talk to you because I was not really literally reading…[laughing] holding it. 0:44:04.3. And so…so when you come back and…oh yeah, I forgot that part. So I’m glad to remember that and looked in. So…so that is one of the important things. So, even well your…I mean, if you keep on doubting the reincarnation, fine, keep on doubting it. 0:44:31.6. Does…I mean it is a legitimate doubt. Sure, why not? But keep…if keep…if you…if you keep on doubting the reincarnation for throughout your life, then it is your wasting great opportunity. 0:44:49.5. So after all, at least you say, well if there is reincarnation, I like to go in such and such a place. Even that much you can do. 0:45:00.7. And, um, and, uh, you can do it now, actually. And, uh, then every other positive karma, whatever you created dedicated for that. And, uh, set up your mind of going there. But you can also change. Like I told you the Helen story. From Vajrayogini pureland she changed into Tushita pureland. 0:45:28.3. So…so, even…although she’s doing the uncommon, inconceivable practice of the Vajrayogini for the last year or two, because she was diagnosed with cancer…and stomach cancer. And she knew she’s going to go. 0:45:48.6. We all know she’s going to go. So she was doing that uncommon, inconceivable practice for a while. And, um, and, um, it’s a couple of days before she switched over and, at the time, just forty minutes before she’s dying,and I was talking on the phone. And, um, and she switched to Tushita, which you can. There’s a cause of the…cause of taking rebirth is same thing. 0:46:19.4. And, uh, which direction [cut off - 0:46:21.8] also very important for long time. You have that mind. Settle it within your mind. Where would you like to go. Direct your practice. 0:46:34.5. And I’m talking to you this so the Vajrayana practitioners. I’m not really talking to you the, um…Anyway. 0:46:51.5

So then people who could not even have, uh, such a simple little practice, uh, which you can guide your death and then for them what they can do. 0:47:12.1. And there are a number of choice. I’m going to give it to you here. 0:47:17.2. The choice number one is performed phowa [0:47:22.4] practice. Phowa, which is…which is, uh, which is transferred in your consciousness. 0:47:34.5. That’s something called a phowa. It is p-h-o-w-a. Phowa. 0:47:47.0. And, uh, phowa in Tibetan really means “transferring.” And what you have to do, is first you have to receive the phowa teaching from a lama. From a teacher. Without receiving the phowa teaching, it won’t work. So you have to receive the phowa teaching and then you have to practice phowa. 0:48:09.6

This one not only have to receive, but you have to practice. 0:48:16.0. Um, pra…phowa practice is a little interesting. Anyway, I don’t want talk so detailed on the phowa because then everything going to be phowa. 0:48:30.0. So, anyway, phowa practice is normally based on the…the…the…the air…the energy that you collect together. And with the sound of “hic” and “phah.” And “hic” and “phah”…You know, “hic” actually really hits your consciousness at your over here. 0:48:51.2. And so even you…Even you don’t have teaching of that, you just keep saying “hic,” “hic,” sometimes you get a little…a little…[laughing]. What happened? 0:49:10.3. Sometimes you get a little, uh, huh? What? No. Little sort of softness here. 0:49:21.5. You me…Even you have it over here. 0:49:25.2. I’m sure everyone has it. Something softness. Anyway, that softness is this…Sometimes when you keep on “hic”-ing and with your visualization, what happened is sometime they get a hole. And even, uh, even you don’t have teaching or something, but they do that. 0:49:43.6. Um, they do that.

And, uh, so…But, uh, that alone is not enough. 0:49:50.8. But you have to receive the teaching and you have to learn the practice and the practice phowa. You have to practice for a while, actually. 0:50:00.4. Um, not very long. But for a while. You have to have that. 0:50:09.8. Then, those person who received phowa teaching – who had the phowa practice – again, for them, very strongly recommended, few days before. Few days before or few weeks before. 0:50:41.4. Again, it is important to get rid of anything that bound to raise attachment. And, uh, purification, dedication and generating bodhi mind and the particularly praying to the lama, to the guru and to the Buddha, dharma and sangha and making offerings and praying. 0:51:13.6. And then, you have to set up your mind of whichever paradise you’re going to go. Choose that. 0:51:22.2.

And then, of course, refuge taking, generating bodhi mind, and, um, visualization of here is really, actually, visualizing your body completely empty inside. Empty. It’s almost like, you know, those Native American teepees. 0:51:50.9. Um…you know that teepee thing. Just remove that wooden thing they stuck up there on the top of the teepee. 0:52:01.0. So, within…within your body, you visualize yourself in that…in that form. I don’t know how much I can talk to you here. 0:52:12.6. Anyway, you have to visualize the central channel. And central channel also in the shape of a teepee. 0:52:29.9. And, uh, then the top over there is left open. Normally central channel comes out to here. 0:52:36.5. But at the time of the phowa it’s supposed to be stopped here.

And it opens up like the trumpet put upside down. 0:52:46.3. So, up there. And then, whatever your really…whatever the pureland you’re going. Whether it is the…what they call it? Western paradise, which is Amitabha Buddha’s pureland. 0:53:05.8. Or, you go to Vajrayogini pureland, or every yidam had its own little pureland. 0:53:12.1. Or you want to go to Tushita pureland, which is the…the Maitreya Buddha and Tsong Khapa and all of those. 0:53:21.9. So, wherever, whatever pureland and whatever deity, whatever guru you may be thinking, but it’s in absolute reality your own guru in the form of that Buddha, that yidam…And then you invite that on top of your body and, with “hic,” you sort of popped up your consciousness and, uh, pumped into the heart-level of lama in the form of Buddha or Amitayus or Vajrayogini, Tsong Khapa – whatever it might be in that form ad become oneness with the consciousness of that lama. 0:54:10.9.

That’s where the “hic” goes. 0:54:14.7. “Phah” is releasing down. Um, that is, uh, in the practice it goes up and comes down. But in actually this level, it has to be actual. So it is released out of from the lama’s mind, like a…Western paradise and pureland. 0:54:34.7. You’ll be born out of lotus a bodhisattva. Uh, within that life capable of fully enlightened within that lifetime. 0:54:46.9. Um, with or without Vajrayana whatever it may be. 0:54:52.8 Um, I don’t want to talk to long about the phowa because this is not a phowa teaching. I’m sort of simply telling you there is such a thing as a phowa and that’s what happens. 0:55:08.7.

Okay? So, phowa actually it is very interesting. 0:55:25.5. It is the time that actually you become little…just little before you become unconscious you do it. 0:55:35.1. Actually, you’re just letting the death doesn’t take place on you. You just do it before. Just before the death. 0:55:46.7. So, are you comfortable, Winn? [0:55:50.6] Are you sure? Otherwise you can move here. You know have to stage like that, it’ll be a little difficult. 0:55:56.8. You…are you sure you’re okay? Okay. So, little before you become unconscious, uh, little before the death’s actually setting. And so, you go. Little before the signs like, uh, you have the sign of earth dissolving, water dissolving, not dissolving at about that level. Fire. 0:56:29.6. Uh, what you’re taking risk is reviving. Um, uh, up to the…up to the fire element dissolves, I believe you can reverse them back to…revive them back. But that’s you’re taking risk. 0:56:46.5. You’re doing to… going to through phowa practice. 0:56:50.4

Anyway, there’s something called phowa – that’s what you can do. So, then, if a person who has no training, no practice in the Vajrayana, nothing with the phowa and certainly if death comes, uh what we shall we do? 0:57:14.4. Then Buddha has given a couple of suggestions here. There’s sutra called Dakayeshe [0:57:25.2]. And according to the Dakayeshe Sutra, what the Buddha recommended is five points. Five points. Point number one. Point number one: you have to have wisdom. 0:57:54.6. So the Buddha says, even you don’t have true understanding of wisdom, but simply think all phenomena are empty of inherent existence. 0:58:13.5. Just think about that. And that alone will help you. There’s no in…I mean we don’t know what is inherent existence is all about it. 0:58:25.6. Or even then, you just think about it. And, uh, even you visualization space-like empty, nothing tangible. 0:58:40.2. Catchable. Open, space-like empty. And acknowledging that as emptiness is becomes important. Otherwise you can think it is like space and sit on there not acknowledging it is emptiness. Then it makes something else. 0:59:00.9.

Actually, you people should see we have provided a chart few years ago. I don’t know anybody else have it here now. 0:59:11.4. A chart of where you can be take rebirth. Uh, every existence, uh, where possibility is. So divided into three realms – the desire realm, form realm, formless realm. So I taught [0:59:30.0] it’s about fifty-two different levels where you can take rebirth. And, um, does anybody have that chart available here? You have at home? Oh, that’s good! 0:59:46.9. It’s useful to yourself. Um, anyway, you can get that copies here later, but, uh, that’s…If you look in there, um, in there, that chart, you have like fifty-two or something different place where you can take rebirth. 1:00:06.6. And out of that, there’s a four formless. And…I more…I want to talk about the formless a little more than the form and desire realm. We have no problem with that. 1:00:18.2. But cause of taking rebirth in the formless is…is actually meditation. You keep on meditating, don’t think about reality. Be simply focusing empty, blank and, um, [phone ringing]. Is it me? Is it you? Okay. [laughing]. I thought it is me and then it’s you. Okay. 1:00:54.9. Let her talk. You sure? [inaudible chatter]. Okay.

The problem here is…is if you don’t have the recognition of emptiness and acknowledgment and all of those, a simply sitting like a space-like empty blank. 1:01:26.9. And you enjoy sitting there, that’s very good, actually. Sitting there. But, uh, every effort you put is directed towards taking rebirth in the formless. 1:01:39.8. And that’s why I wanted mention this. Oh, you found the chart there? Okay. Well, you can just pass around and if people wanted to see it. But make sure you get it back. Okay. Yeah, okay. [Laughing]. There are and form and formless charts. 1:01:58.6. Yeah? There are two pages. You got only one. [Inaudible.]. Okay, okay. Alright. 1:02:05.9.

So, maybe you want that chart too? Ginny? 1:02:12.8 [Laughing]. [Inaudible]. Uh? No you can’t do today, but, uh…Keep it…Made available again next Thursday or something, you know? Uh? [Inaudible]. Next Thur…Thursday after that or whatever [inaudible] 1:02:36.0. Oh, this probably been for a while, you know? So anyway, so…1:02:45.0. So, the…the…the cause of…Because there are a number of people why I said this. Because there are a number of people who like to meditate a lot. 1:02:57.6. But then the meditation, uh, I can’t say without focus. There is some focus. But they don’t have a..a…this active meditation. It’s become passive. Focusing is more important than that of analyzing. 1:03:16.5. So…so truly, if you really look very carefully on the Buddha’s experience, all of those will direct to be taking rebirth in the formless…form and formless. 1:03:30.7

Anthing that has negative emotions influence will become desire realm. 1:03:38.2. And, uh, that also within the samsara – four [1:03:42.5] and form and formless is within the samsara. It does not cut the root of this ego business. 1:03:51.3. So, you can’t go beyond this. This is where you’re stuck. So, when…when you are encounter with the primordial mind, you bounce back. So that’s the…[phew]. Perhaps I’m talking too much of, uh…But it’s…I think it’s need to know. Because, uh, the informations are very little in the…in the…in the…in the West. 1:04:18.8. Information’s very limited on this. So, I mean, it’s great to have those meditative level. Tremendous. Who…if not happen sixties, it won’t be there today. I say that very often. 1:04:34.3. Uh, but it is now we have to uplift that. Definitely. Because, uh, without active meditation, so no matter how much you do it, all this passive meditations, including, uh, the Buddhist meditations such as samatha and, uh, all of those, um, does not get you out of samsara. 1:05:06.2.

It is very hard to know that, but somehow, somebody has to say it. 1:05:15.0. I don’t…I’m not criticizing anyone, anything. But, uh, these are absolutely necessary thing. It's wonderful thing. I honestly mean it from my heart. But, also you need active meditation. If you don’t, you don’t cut the root of samsara. If you don’t cut the root of samara, I’m sure you don’t go to hell relam or anything of that sort at all in future by passive meditation. 1:05:48.5. But, you will stuck in the form realm, formless realm and all of those. You may get out of desire realm, but you’re stuck there. 1:05:58.4. Yeah, sure, go ahead. [Inaudible question.]. Yeah, well, that’s a very good question. 1:06:10.8. Active meditation is analyzing. And, uh, passive meditation is actually, truly speaking, if you analyze, you’ll find the point. It’s not only you just focus. 1:06:27.7. Even you…You know like in the Buddhist tradition, when we teach the meditation, sometimes we recommend to meditate on the body of Buddha. 1:06:39.3.

And so…so your mind is set up on the Buddha’s body and you keep on focusing that. 1:06:47.2. And keeping on focusing that is passive meditation. But try to find the Buddha’s body without looking into the picture, without looking at the image, mentally producing the Buddha’s body requires active meditation. If you look at it, head level, carefully, if you zoom in head level, you will lose the feet and all of those. 1:07:19.4. Those…You simply get the head. And that…and that also, if you shift the focus on the eye, you lose all the others – ear, nose and mouth. And so things like that. 1:07:33.8. So, then if you pull back little bit, you may be able to see it. But to…in order to see that, you have to mentally produce it and adds up everything. 1:07:44.9.

Together. And suddenly you may begin to find some kind of yellow lump. 1:07:53.9. Yellow lump. We call that, finding point of focusing. Sort of number one step. And that also brought in with the active meditation. Building it up. That is very beginning level I’m talking about it. 1:08:15.8. [Inaudible]. That’s is what I’m talking earlier. Completely formless. Just total space-like. Even may…may not be space. Just a huge open sea-like, you know? You keep on sitting meditation on that. 1:08:38.3. It is wonderful thing you can experience on that. But I believe, uh, these are the…this meditation actually brings the future rebirth in the formless. 1:08:53.0.

Formless, uh, because that is very good, wonderful meditation, but it doesn’t touch or challenge ego at all. 1:09:05.7. The ego within ourself is the source of negative emotions. And, uh, without it decreases tremendous of negative emotion. Decreases. 1:09:23.1. Formless sitting. 1:09:24.7. But I don’t think it eradicates. And, so, even not only it eradication of that, but I think the ego has to cut. 1:09:37.4. Until that it is capable of reproducing the negative emotions. 1:09:44.2. And that’s why, I’m trying to said the formless cause of taking rebirth on the formless is many times on those. 1:09:57.2.

And I don’t think I’m talking about Gelugpa point again. And I’m talking about based on the Buddha’s experience. 1:10:11.5. The Gelugpa point is point of emptiness. Whether this is emptiness or that’s emptiness. 1:10:17.3. It’s different point than over here simply sitting on the…You know? People will tell you, peel up any thoughts that comes up. Keep on filling it other…After a little while, you get almost all thoughtless, open – they may call it space or they may not call it space-like. But anyway, open, completely nothing, formless. And that probably…That four formless level. These formless rebirths are called space-like formless and, uh, consciousness-like formless and nang gataye nam chitaye chiyame [1:11:08.4] – nothingness, formless and then the tip of the samsara, top of the samsara. So there are four of them. 1:11:15.6.

So, I think these are the, uh…because…That’s is…If you really look very carefully in Buddhism, they will very clearly tell you how the negative emotions affect you for your future rebirths. 1:11:35.7. And then the negative…they’re the direct, gross negative emotions. Then the subtle negative emotions will where you go, what to do. 1:11:44.8. And then, uh, the…out of is [1:11:47.8] no negative emotions at all. No strong, recognizable inflows. 1:11:54.9. There is always pervasiveness there, but no strong, recognizable…And that provides you to [1:12:02.1] eight different layers – four form and four formless. And get up to the top of the samsara. It’s even called a peak. 1:12:17.5. Um, if you look in that chart. It even called peak. I think it’s called peak. So, to that level. And then, uh, what happens is the capacity in which you being able to build to that life is the meditation what you have done. 1:12:39.7. And that get exhausted. When that get exhausted, there is fall-back. 1:12:45.0. Uh, fall-back.

That was, uh, a huge, uh, debate, um, in India, very early. 1:12:57.6. Um, it is between the Chandragumi and, um, I forgot. Lalabo. [1:13:06.9]. Uh, two of them had that debate. Huge debate for a long time. And, um, and, uh, and, uh, and uh, and then, then, that’s why in the Buddhist part, the Buddha does not strongly recommend you to sit in that concentrated meditation too long to be able to bring to that level. 1:13:33.8. Because the purpose for the Buddha, for the concentrated meditation, is to stabilize your mind. The moment you stabilize your mind, it is recommended to switch over to the…to the wisdom meditation rather than sitting on that. 1:13:55.5.

That is, uh, fundamental, uh, difference between the, uh, traditions of Buddhist tradition and, uh, other traditions in India, like two thousand years ago. 1:14:12.8. So, so…I think…I think…I don’t think it is for me to say this is good and that’s not good. But it is for me to point it out. 1:14:23.5. These are the points. Uh, yes sir? [Inaudible question]. Which I just give. 1:14:37.7. I just begin with the Buddha’s body. And, so…so…so, active meditation involves with the thought process. Thought process. And, um, analyzing it. 1:14:54.1. Like, for example, the thought we’ll call it “emptiness,” the wisdom. 1:14:59.5. It’s never going to be finded by passive meditation. Never ever. And it requires active meditation. And without emptiness, the root of the samsara doesn’t cut. 1:15:15.7. According to the Buddhism. 1:15:19.4 [Inaudible]. Anyway, how did we get into this? [Laughing. Inaudible]. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That’s right. The emptiness. Okay. Point of the emptiness. So, when we don’t have that understanding of emptiness, then you can simply substitute it by thinking every phenomena is, uh, impermanent. I thought I even saw it here. 1:15:59.5.

When you need it, you don’t going to find it. 1:16:07.2. So, but I’m going to find…don’t find it. Oh, here it is. Here it is. 1:16:22.9. Uh, wana tedre yenatawe yeshe [1:16:22.4-1:16:29.8]. He said, well, if it’s so, and then nob…any…the person who had no understanding of wisdom, emptiness at all. So for that person, can [1:16:41.9] you practice this at all. Then, he said, dila lame mengachechebre [1:16:45.6- 1:16:49.6]. He said, I have a great method, taught by great teachers. I will explain here. He said, tagetsawa lama kyudujumbu [1:16:56.3-1:17:02.7]. He said, my root master Tughand Dorje Chang [1:17:05.1] – his name…personal name is Losang Nawa Tenzi Gyatso [1:17:09.7]. And he says, tawe nyeshi manye [1:17:12.5- 1:17:23.9]. Here, he told me, if you have no understanding of emptiness at all, but then when you talk about this empty. So if you can at least think there is no in…inherent existence. It is the empty of inherent existence will serve the purpose for the time being. 1:17:54.1. But you cannot spend all…whole your life by substituting this. And, uh, even teye jireng jing jime… [1:18:00.9- 1:18:14.9]. So actually, you have no understanding, you keep on saying, empty of inherent existence. Means, you may have some understanding followed by the sound of lack of inherent existence. And if you keep on repeating that, you been like you been repeating mantra. 1:18:37.3. Ignore…empty of inherent existence, empty of inherent existence, empty of inherent existence. 1:18:43.2.

Which actually you repeating like mantra, but there’s nothing for you to find in your mind what you are really…there’s no taste in that word. You’re simply saying it. You don’t get anything taste. 1:19:04.3. However, until you find the perfect emptiness, and if you just keep on thinking, um, inherent existence free – free of inherent existence, it will serve the purpose and also it will protect you from the nilhistic viewpoints. 1:19:31.6. And, um, it says, it is the great tradition of teachers saying. So, this is Pabongka’s Cittamani commentary. 1:19:43.2. So…so there you go. So, it serve the purpose in that level. But you…you are not expected spend whole your life by substituting inherent…empty of inherent existence, you know? If you keep on thinking that a lot, it will be like repeating “om mani padme hum,” “om mani padme hum.” 1:20:06.6. Like repeating mantra. You go…only hearing the sound, saying it’s empty of inherent existence, empty of in....It’s looks like you’re repeating it. Even you’re thinking. 1:20:17.7 But you have nothing to perceive. You know, whenever you said the sadhanas or any other prayer, you have something to think behind [1:20:28.5]. That’s why we do the teachings on Ganden Lha Gyema, Foundation of Perfection. 1:20:35.0. Each word has supported by a idea that you can grab. You supported that, right? And here if you on saying, empty of inherent existence, there’s nothing to support it grape…grab from the mind. It’s almost like repeating the sound. 1:20:54.5.

Even you’re thinking, not repeating, but you…looks like you’re repeating that sound. 1:21:02.6. Even then, it will serve purpose for the time being. So can it serve a purpose at the time of the death if you are not understanding of the emptiness? I’m quite sure it can. 1:21:18.6. It can. So…because the Buddha does not expect, uh, everybody to understand emptiness. Because that is very hard to get it. 1:21:29.5. So, but anyway, he made that as first point out of those five points. And focusing on the empty. Then, second point what he recommend is all sentient beings, if all sentient beings are free of suffering and cause of suffering, how wonderful it will be. 1:21:58.9. Be. So, sort of a compassion. Very strong compassion. It is number two. 1:22:07.8.

Then, number three is all these negativities that we get, they’re all impermanent. Impermanent. 1:22:29.1. Pure mind, pure nature is not a faulty – free of fault. It is pure. 1:22:39.8. Like a, um, semye renjye vasuwa…[1:22:42.5- 1:22:45.7]. They’re saying the nature of the mind is luminous and all faults are temporary. 1:22:53.4. Um, that’s what normally saying is, right? Um. I’m not sure whether it is ultimate emptiness level or not. But, uh, but, uh, that is one point. 1:23:10.2. Point. And thinking every faulty points that we have are…it is…it is separable. Not in nature of my mind. 1:23:26.8. I think that is another one. Is that three? Then four…Uh? Then fourth one is again the attachment. 1:23:37.4. Free of that attachment. Attachment to place, attachment to body, attachment to wealth, attachment to friends, attachment to retinue, or attachment to clothes, attachment to anything. 1:23:56.3. I mean it’s not necessarily has to be something great. Attachment can be for bathroom, too. 1:24:06.3. Why not? Uh, why not? Huh? If you had a strong attachment to bathroom, destroy the bathroom [laughing] first [1:24:17.5]. It’s joke, okay? Anyway. 1:24:23.6. Half joke. 1:24:24.6

That is the fourth one. 1:24:34.6. The fifth one says ranshingji julakham dwaraji…[1:24:35.6- 1:24:40.1]. So, we all have Buddha nature within the every existence. Every humans being have a Buddha nature within ourself. However, we’re unable to recognize that. 1:24:56.8. Because it’s covered with the negative emotions. So, we’re unable to recognize that. But in absolute reality, we don’t have to search for enlightenment outside. But you can find within yourself, within your Buddha nature. Through your Buddha nature. So this is the fifth point that Buddha recommended. 1:25:30.6.

So that is if you cannot do it, the big ones. And then this is the last one. 1:25:51.2. We…we have still more. It’s already five, I’m sorry. Yeah, I have two or three more. 1:25:57.3. Then you remember we did lojong teaching here. Remember? In the lojong teaching, uh, we have mentioned there is lojong phowa. Phowa without…without “hic” and “phah.” 1:26:10.2. Remember? There was lojong phowa. Uh, Lama Chopa has verse in that: doma yanba chopa…[1:26:15.8- 1:26:22.6]. So, it’s okay. Um, I’ll be closing very soon, but…Um, I know we have to be on time, so…Doma yanba chopa….[ 1:26:35.1- 1:26:38.4]. There’s one verse in Lama Chopa, by five forces, uh, one can…and all this. I think we have time to talk tomorrow, so…I’m afraid I have to stop here because people have to go. Uh, also like to mention to you here…like to draw your attention and, um, we do have summer retreat coming up, which we do every year. And this year is from August 27 to September….