Motivation or intention precedes any activity, even if we don’t realize or acknowledge it. According to traditional Buddhist teachings, the initial motivation really determines whether action is virtuous or non-virtuous. Giving rise to the right motivation or intention guarantees that we will accumulate a lot of merit and that our activity will be virtuous.
Science of mind occupies a great deal of attention in Buddhist philosophy. This is not some new development; ancient Buddhist texts include major treatises investigating the mind. So, when we begin investigating the mind scientifically, we need to ask some fundamental questions. What is the mind? And how does mind arise–what causes it? How does our mind function?
Khenpo Gyaltsen knows that discussions of impermanence can cause strange reactions. Our nature is impermanent. There is no reason to feel unhappy about it. We see it all around us in small things, don’t we?
Ethical behavior occupies a central role on the Buddhist path to awakening. Yet often, modern presentations of Buddhist teaching skip over these fundamental principles. In our hurry to jump to the “good stuff,” however, we may be missing some crucial points.
First, Khenpo requests that we learn about the meaning of a precious human life. Then, he asks us to make an effort to share these teachings with children, family, and friends. Unfortunately, he observes in these stressful modern times, that many people commit suicide. We can help people who suffer from heavy problems by sharing these important teachings. We can help by sharing the teachings on the value of the precious human body. And in particular, we help society heal when we teach young children about this precious opportunity.
How do we become authentic Buddhist practitioners? In this short audio clip from a teaching in Sao Paolo, Brasil, Khenpo Gyaltsen says each one of us needs to remember to “check yourself.”
Khenpo Gyaltsen recently taught the four mind changings in Sao Paolo, Brasil. In this excerpt from his talk, Khenpo-la explains that first we have to appreciate the need for change.
Life-release, or the saving of animals destined for slaughter, is practiced throughout the Buddhist world. All schools of Buddhism encourage followers to not only refrain from harming beings, but also to actively save lives.
Water offerings are a tradition was accepted by the masters of the past as a practice unique to Tibet. It is the most common offering of Tibetan Buddhism.
Offering water bowls is an easy and pleasurable meritorious activity widely practiced in Tibetan Buddhism. Water’s purity gives it great power.
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