Finding a Genuine Way

Finding a genuine way to practice is quite easy to talk about, Phakchok Rinpoche teaches. But, he warns us that it is actually quite difficult to do. Finding a genuine way can be very challenging. What we really need to put effort into, Rinpoche says, is to be genuine. What does that mean? We really don't have a clue. We think we are being genuine, but really, we always learn to lie. Lying here is not the negative kind, but the "positive" kind of lying.

Buddhist Philosophy

Finding a genuine way to practice is quite easy to talk about, Phakchok Rinpoche teaches. But, he warns us that it is actually quite difficult to do. Finding a genuine way can be very challenging. What we really want to put effort into, Rinpoche says, is to be genuine. What does that mean? Often, we really don’t have a clue. We think we are being genuine, but when we investigate carefully, we see that we are learning to lie. We are habituating ourselves to a “positive” kind of lying.

To be genuine, Rinpoche teaches, we work to drop this habit. How? We can realize that we don’t have to work so hard to please everybody. We can stop thinking so much about ourselves. We can relax our striving to maintain a certain image. Instead, we can practice keeping a truthful and sincere heart. The sincere heart doesn’t focus upon obtaining something for ourselves, but on caring for others. Here, Rinpoche explains he means just simple caring. Try to have a good, sincere heart!

Motivation

It is difficult to be sincere. Even among spiritual practitioners, we may not find many who embody that quality. We all face this challenge. So what to do? The only way to stay sincere, Rinpoche advises, is to remember to set our motivation. In the Buddhist tradition, we always begin teachings with supplication and motivation prayers.

Here, Rinpoche shares personal advice on how he personally now thinks about motivation. He knows that we have heard this many times and we may be tired of hearing about it. Rinpoche jokes that teaching about motivation can seem tiring — but it is all about kindness. And kindness means it is not “all about you.”

Rinpoche asks us to consider why he talks about motivation so frequently. A teacher reminds us where we can improve. We may be very good at accumulating mantras or doing hours of practice if Rinpoche requests it. But, we also need to check: are we more sincere? More genuine and true? Unfortunately, we might not pass this small test. We may be a little better until we meet someone we don’t like. And then, does our personality change depending on the conditions?

Dharma means knowing yourself. We have the confidence and dignity to look at our own character. We train in knowing without judging ourselves or worrying about our image. Just sit and reflect, remind yourself, and re-remind yourself. That is how to consider motivation. Please repeatedly remind yourself to have a kind mind and a caring mind.

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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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Finding a Genuine Way

Motivation