Geshe Thubten Palsang
When contemplating a Dharma point you heard before, it feels at first like you are pushing your mind to accept it. For example, when reflecting on dependent origination, you first try to convince yourself that "a result arises from numerous causes and conditions coming together". This is the initial level of understanding.
After repeatedly deepening your reflection to a certain extent, this concept finally becomes your own. At this point, it is no longer just a concept but reality to you—this is the second level of understanding.
The initial level of understanding feels like indoctrination. In the past few days of teachings, everyone was "indoctrinated" with many explanations, scriptural quotations and examples on the topic of dependent origination. But I think only the second level of understanding is real understanding...
Regarding the statement, "a result arises from numerous causes and conditions coming together", you must scrutinize it from many angles over and over again. Through repeated contemplation, you develop full certainty in it and this Dharma concept truly becomes the way you think. Only then can this understanding stand up to any situation or difficulties you face in life.
In these adverse situations, this understanding serves its function and helps you develop further contemplations. This then is the benefit of your study. If you merely think about the idea once or twice casually and have only a vague sense of agreeing with this view, then it will be of little use when the situation requires it.
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Some people feel that HH Dalai Lama's teachings are repetitive and lack novelty, but those who are experienced in Dharma will value HH’s teachings and find deeper insights in his teachings the more they listen to it.
A distinctive feature of HH’s teachings is that, due to his vast knowledge and the limited time he has to teach, he approaches the same topic from a different angle each year. Those who truly appreciate HH’s teachings, upon hearing his explanation of a topic for the first time, might think, “HH has chosen to explain this topic this way for some important reason, what could be his intention?”
They hold this question in mind and when they hear His Holiness explain the same topic again from another perspective, they retain it in their minds, gradually building up their understanding. After listening to HH dissect the same topic from three or four different angles, the listener will feel that he has begun to comprehend the topic to a deeper degree.
