Learning Buddha’s teachings could take a lifetime of study, contemplation, and meditation. However, the Buddha often summarized his teachings in simple, easy-to-understand key points. Here, in a one-minute reminder, Phakchok Rinpoche explains the heart of the teachings.

Learning Buddha’s Teachings: Three Key Points

Learning what the Buddha taught

  • Don’t do actions that make others suffer. Don’t create suffering.
  • Do actions that benefit others. This includes yourself.
  • And finally, tame your mind.

Taming the mind

When the Buddha said tame the mind, what did he mean? Rinpoche explains that we need to tame our minds not to respond to negative emotions, thoughts, behaviors, or habits.

Taming the mind is the Dharma.

If we follow the three points above and take them to heart in our daily lives, then we are truly practicing the Dharma.

Additional Resources

If you are interested in learning more about the Buddha’s teaching and about mind training,  contemplate this teaching on Defining Dharma.

Samye Institute also offers a short home-study course based on live teachings by Phakchok Rinpoche. Here, in Training the Mind: An Introduction, you can explore techniques to train your own mind.

Translations

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