27 Good Heart, Bodhichitta, Emptiness, and Guru Devotion in Daily Practice 16-Sept-2004

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004.00:00:00 The purpose of the preliminary prayers is to pacify obstacles to achieving full enlightenment and the complete qualities of cessation and realization, for oneself and others.00:11:14 Lama Tsongkhapa emphasized bodhicitta in every teaching. Seeking enlightenment for oneself alone results in a limited realization. One must seek enlightenment to benefit all sentient beings.00:43:52 Buddhas liberate sentient beings by revealing the ultimate truth and reality, which is the teaching of the perfection of wisdom. This is the heart of the 84,000 teachings of the Buddha.01:21:15 Practicing kindness, forgiveness, tolerance, and rejoicing in others’ happiness keep the mind peaceful and joyful. Even without deep realizations, these basic practices make one a good human being and bring peace to the world. Ultimately, realizing emptiness—the heart of the Heart Sutra—leads to liberation from samsara.01:41:16 Without depending on the guru appearing in ordinary aspect, even if there are countless buddhas, they cannot guide you to enlightenment. The guru in ordinary aspect is most precious.02:47:42 In daily life, practice mindfulness of looking at the nature of phenomena as empty. This helps control delusions from arising. Even if one doesn't have realizations, strong faith in Lama Tsongkhapa's explanation of emptiness gives hope to realize it in the future.03:27:07 In this retreat, even if one is unable to finish 100,000 migtsemas, if one achieves realization of guru devotion, one will have succeeded. That’s the main goal, the main objective of doing this Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga. We’re not looking for the number of mantras; we’re looking for realizations.04:07:03 Rinpoche leads extensive dedications.Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/