Talk Categories Tibetan Buddhism | Talk Locations Rigpa Center, London

The Heart Essence: My Heart’s Advice

My Heart’s Advice was the words spontaneously emerging from the wisdom of Kyabje Khenchen Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche and written down by his disciples in 23 minutes. It summarizes the stages of the path of both Sutrayana and Vajrayana, and is the heart essence teachings of H.H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche for his closest disciples.

Speech by Khenpo Sodargye

Realize the Mind's Nature with Pith Instructions of Dzogchen

Excerpt 1: Be a True Practitioner

Spiritual practitioners should not get too entangled in the affairs of this life. Otherwise, they may never find the time for practice.

Excerpt 2: The Meaning of Listening to Dharma Teachings

In order to get a secular education, we attend grade school, middle school, college, and so on. Similarly, in order to attain liberation from samsara, we need to listen to the Dharma teachings from authentic teachers. Without the foundation of having studied the Dharma, any so-called spiritual practice is nothing but groping in the dark.

Excerpt 3: The Common Purpose of the Eighty-Four Thousand Dharma Paths

Buddha Shakyamuni expounded the Dharma extensively in 84,000 ways, but ultimately they only serve one purpose of taming the mind and realizing its nature, which will lead us to liberation and enlightenment.

Excerpt 4: Realize the Mind’s Nature with Pith Instructions of Dzogchen

In Great Perfection, pith instructions are given for recognizing the true face of one’s mind. With these pith instructions, when you observe your own mind, you’ll realize its true nature. The direct introduction of primordial purity is unique in Great Perfection, through which realizations can be swiftly attained. Once you have recognized the true nature of your mind, all the afflictions and sufferings lose their powers to harm you. Therefore, I think meditation practice, especially of seeing the mind’s original nature, is of critical importance.

Excerpt 5: The Natural Outflow of Primordial Wisdom

This treatise came as a spontaneous and unaltered outflow from His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok’s wisdom mind. It was transcribed in a matter of twenty-three minutes. This teaching is like those of great Tibetan masters of the past whose teachings appear spontaneously in their mind. These great masters never needed to make references to any other materials or resources to attest their authenticity, utterly unlike the academic way of composition.

The Meaning of Listening to Dharma Teachings

In order to get a secular education, we attend grade school, middle school, college, and so on. Similarly, in order to attain liberation from samsara, we need to listen to the Dharma teachings from authentic teachers. Without the foundation of having studied the Dharma, any so-called spiritual practice is nothing but groping in the dark.

The Natural Outflow of Primordial Wisdom

This treatise came as a spontaneous and unaltered outflow from His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok’s wisdom mind. It was transcribed in a matter of twenty-three minutes. This teaching is like those of great Tibetan masters of the past whose teachings appear spontaneously in their mind. These great masters never needed to make references to any other materials or resources to attest their authenticity, utterly unlike the academic way of composition.

Question & Answer Session

The Heart Essence: My Heart’s Advice is the most important and intimate teaching conferred by His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche. He said that if his disciples failed to practice this pith instruction, they would have defeated the purpose of relying on him as a guru. If some students practiced this teaching well, they would be counted as his own direct disciples, even though they might have not met him in person.”

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