Category: 54 Pearls

Buddhism requires steadfast faith not only in the guru, but even more so in oneself. FR

The Who, What and When of Liberation: A true guru is the one who transforms the mind from an afflicted state to one of equanimity. True Buddhist practice is what transforms the mind from an afflicted state to one of equanimity. True liberation occurs when the mind is transformed from an afflicted state to one … Continued

What is a yidam? A true yidam is none other than the original nature of your mind. The mind’s primordial state of wisdom is the only real yidam. FR

Buddhas and Bodhisattvas do not appear out of thin air. They are a product of transformation: the ordinary mind is reoriented through the exercise of compassion and wisdom. The more wisdom one accesses, the purer one’s internal state, the less one’s negative emotions and the closer one comes to liberation. FR

Our ordinary mind is fickle and changeable, always riding an emotional roller coaster. Today I’m happy, tomorrow I’m suffering. This is the ordinary mind which we have unfortunately made our “home.” But it is a flimsy structure built with the fragile walls of negative emotions. At any moment, it could suddenly fall to pieces. Buddhism … Continued

Our mind is similar to a computer. At the moment the only software on this computer is greed, hate, and ignorance. Therefore, every time we use our computer, we animate habitual behavioral tendencies and reactive emotions. We cannot use the Buddha wisdom software because it doesn’t exist on our computer. We have to get that … Continued

Established Buddhist practitioners need not disconnect themselves from any guru or lineage, even if they move on to practice with those with other affilations. The Dharma we have learned in the past has helped establish our present foundation. The objective of all Buddhist practices is the same. FR

Many people think that the Amitabha practice is one Dharma method, Guru Yoga is another, and the five preliminary practices are yet another….To look upon these as fundamentally different methodologies besets the mind with contradictions and invites doubt. The fact is there are no conflicts between the various Dharma methods, only within your own thinking. … Continued

Renunciation does not mean running away from the world. True renunciation of samsara is letting go of all the ego’s attachments, agendas and delusions. FR

All the troubles of the world arise from dualistic thinking. Where there is the idea of self and other, there is attachment. And where there is attachment, there is suffering. FR