Khenpo Sodargye
When it comes to learning Dharma, many people’s approach is quite irrational. They are incredibly enthusiastic about empowerments, mantra recitation and pujas. As soon as news of these types of events are released, it becomes the hot topic of the Dharma circles.
Yet, they show little interest in the mind-training and systematic teachings that are genuinely beneficial for their mindstream. In particular, people tend to neglect the regular teachings. It’s as if only rarely given teachings or transmissions are precious. Many people have this misconceived approach.
The truth is that these regular, systematic classes are what genuinely offer the greatest help for our minds. No matter how many empowerments you receive, they won't mean much if you don't put them into practice. No matter how many mantras you recite, they are of little use if your mind isn’t tamed and made gentle and pliable.
These external aspects of Dharma can only plant a few virtuous seeds in your mindstream; it's difficult for them to solve fundamental problems (of taking rebirth again and again in samsara). Everyone needs to understand this.
Therefore, when you study this treatise today, approach it with joy, reverence and feel its preciousness. We are living in the age of degeneration, worldly circumstances are complex and ever-changing. At such a time, having the opportunity to listen and contemplate the Dharma is extremely rare.
Every time I listen to recordings of past masters' teachings, I feel that they are incredibly precious. For me, teaching a class to all of you also feels very precious and hard to come by.
