Improving Ourselves on the Buddhist Path

Buddhist Philosophy

Improving ourselves, or making progress, while practicing the Buddhadharma should be a natural outcome. Phakchok Rinpoche observes that we practice correctly when our behavior and our Dharma practice function together. Everything runs in sync! We benefit from looking at our own daily behavior as we go about our mundane tasks, and check that we are in accord with the teachings. In this video teaching from Malaysia, Rinpoche reminds us that by watching small actions, we can really tell how we are improving ourselves.

Improving Ourselves: Reflection

Watching our behavior means that we are practicing, Rinpoche suggests. Our spiritual practice should develop in tandem, or in parallel, with our own behavior. We try not to separate or compartmentalize our spiritual growth. For this reason, we spend time reflecting and coming to know our own character. If we are practicing correctly, our Dharma practice brings change and improvement to our daily life. And conversely, if we notice that our normal daily behavior has improved, this will automatically carry over into our meditation sessions. We begin to pay attention and we are able to observe this improvement in ourselves.

Improving Ourselves: Exercise

Spend a few minutes every day for the next few weeks reflecting on your own behavior. Notice when your activities of body, speech, and mind were clearly in accord with the Buddha’s teaching. Were these actions different from how you might have behaved in the past?

Congratulate yourself for that improvement–it is important to acknowledge our progress. Maybe you might like to talk about your improvement with a Dharma friend or family member. Have they also noticed a change in you?

None of us are perfect, however, so it is also good to investigate where we may have gone off track a bit. Did you face difficult situations where your actions and the Dharma seemed to be out of sync? Without being harsh or judgmental, simply acknowledge those actions. Think about how you can plan to act more in accord with the Dharma in a similar situation.

You may want to keep a journal –writing down your observations and your suggestions to yourself help to keep you motivated!

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About the Author

Phakchok Rinpoche

Phakchok Rinpoche was born in 1981 to Kyapjé Tsikey Chokling Rinpoche and Sangyum Dechen Paldrön, within the family lineage of the great treasure revealer (terchen) Chokgyur Dechen Zhikpo Lingpa. Rinpoche was recognized as the reincarnation of the 6th Kyapgön Phakchok Rinpoche, one of the three throne holders (kyapgöns) of the Taklung Kagyü seat (densa) at Marthang Kham Riwoche monastery. Among Rinpoche’s previous incarnations, the 4th Kyapgön Phakchok Rinpoche was a devoted disciple and patron of Terchen Chokgyur Lingpa. During that period, it was the unwavering support of the upholders of Riwoche Monastery that created the auspicious circumstances for Chokgyur Lingpa’s awakened activity to spread and flourish. Under the guidance of his root gurus—Kyapjé Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Kyapjé Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche, and Kyapchok Soktse Rinpoche—Phakchok Rinpoche has received and practiced the profound Dharma teachings handed down in an unbroken lineage from Mahaguru Padmasambhava. Inspired by the life and legacy of Guru Padmasambhava, Terchen Chokgyur Lingpa and the upholders of Riwoche Monastery, Rinpoche has devoted his own life to spreading the teachings of Guru Rinpoche, particularly the Profound Treasures of Chokgyur Lingpa (Chokling Tersar). Mahaguru Padmasambhava is renowned for his role in guiding the establishment of Samye Monastery, thereby creating the auspicious causes and conditions (tendrel) for more than a thousand years of authentic practice to unfold in the land of Tibet in an incredible lineage of accomplishment that continues to this present day. Reflecting upon these auspicious beginnings, Phakchok Rinpoche has given his organization the same name, Samye, which means inconceivable. Just as this ancient Tibetan institution lived up to its name, becoming a truly inconceivable source of the Buddhadharma, Rinpoche’s aspiration is for today’s Samye mandala to do likewise and become an inconceivable beacon of wisdom, compassion and dignity for our present world and into the future. In honor of Mahaguru Padmasambhava, Rinpoche has chosen a seal to represent Samye that traces back to Guru Rinpoche himself. This esteemed emblem was originally revealed by the Mahaguru and given to Dharma King Trisong Detsen’s royal heir, Lhasé Murup Tsenpo. Murup Tsenpo subsequently concealed it as a treasure (terma) for the benefit of future generations. Much later, in 18th century Tibet, it was discovered as a treasure by Lhasé Murup Tsenpo’s reincarnation, Terchen Chokgyur Dechen Zhikpo Lingpa. Today, it serves as the emblem for the Profound Treasures of Chokgyur Lingpa and for all Dharma activities led by Phakchok Rinpoche and his sangha.

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Samye is a place where students from all corners of the globe explore how to work with their minds in order to lead meaningful lives. Drawing from authentic Buddhist wisdom traditions, our online platform offers live teachings, structured courses, interactive forums, and community for the digital Dharma sangha. Samye Institute aims to be to the digital world what Nalanda was to India and what Samye was to Tibet.

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On this Guru Rinpoche Day message, Phakchok Rinpoche shares some simple benchmarks to measure our progress in our practice. We all go through five successive stages: 1) lack of any understanding, 2) forming misunderstandings, 3) partial understanding, 4) near-complete understanding, and 5) perfect understanding. These five stages equally apply to the view, practice and conduct. Rinpoche then starts explaining each stage. Finally, Rinpoche concludes by inviting us to study these to be able to recognize them, and thereby identify our own level of progress on the path.

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Buddhahood Within Our Reach

On this Guru Rinpoche Day, Phakchok Rinpoche explains the famous opening verse of Omniscient Gampopa’s “Jewel Ornament of Liberation,” as well as the key points we should understand as we read the verses; mainly, that all beings have the cause of Buddhahood within their being, but it is also important that they meet with the right conditions for this seed to bear fruits. Rinpoche further explains how to cultivate the right conditions for our transformation.

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Dharma Reflections

"Thoughts only have power over us when we follow them and take them too seriously."

Phakchok Rinpoche, Awakening Dignity, Chapter 6: Noticing, Not Judging

Improving Ourselves on the Buddhist Path

Improving Ourselves: Reflection