by Khenpo Chime Rigzin
I went to visit Khenpo Tsultrim Lodro, and we had some light-hearted
conversation, telling jokes and so on.
Then, at one point, he said to me, "I don’t know whether I have long to
live, so unlike in the past when I focused on elaborate textual study and so
forth, now is the time to put more effort into practices like mind
training."
I told him, "You will surely live a long time, because you ransom the
lives of so many animals every year."
He replied, "When I ransom lives, I don’t even think about my own worldly
interest, such as living long. If there is some slight notion of self-interest,
like the idea of purifying my own misdeeds, I say to myself, 'I can do a
separate practice to purify my obscurations. Can I do this ransoming of lives
without the slightest trace of self-serving motivation and only the purest
concern for others?' It is with this thought that I exert myself. For this
reason, I don’t know whether ransoming lives will benefit my longevity."
Generally speaking, saving the life of a single animal is not considered to be
hugely beneficial. But by putting amṛta (blessed water or blessed pills) in
their mouths, placing takdrol (liberation through wearing) on their heads, and
reciting special mantras and dhāraṇīs in their ears, and making sincere
prayers of aspiration, we plant the pure seed of liberation in their minds.
Those who read this should keep in mind that virtue, according to the Mahāyāna, refers to such pure intention and action. It is therefore extremely important
that you do not simply make a show of bringing benefit to others while
sincerely pursuing your own interests.
