Khenpo Sodargye
I feel that learning and education are the most valuable things for a human life. Therefore, I sincerely pray that your lives may continue to be enriched through learning and education, and that through faith, you may also find peace and happiness.
Nowadays, although many Buddhists have faith in the Guru Triple Gems, because they do not understand the Dharma and lack listening, contemplation and practice, faith is easily lost.
The society today is restless and always chasing quick success and instant gratification. People are drawn to violence and stimulating contents, while true learning requires a calm and focused mind.
For this reason, many people find it difficult to settle their minds down to learn and reflect. Even though this is the situation, too much exposure to recklessness, uninhibited behaviors, violence, and constant stimulation only harms both our body and mind.
I really hope we can engage in long-term study and promote uplifting habits instead.
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Removing obstacles on Dharma path
Many people want to receive instructions on how to visualize, contemplate and meditate for Dharma practice. Yet after receiving these teachings, very few consistently put it into practice.
The same is true for listening-contemplation. For instance, when studying the five great treatises, many are enthusiastic at the beginning and aspire to master these teachings thoroughly. However, past karma, present afflictions and various distractions combine to thwart their plans.
In the face of these obstacles, the practitioner’s mental strength is insufficient. They are not able to boost their own mental strength and determination, instead they abandon the path midway. This is the most serious obstacle for most practitioners — the lack of inner mental strength.
To strengthen our minds, I believe in praying to the Guru Triple Gems and frequently making offerings to the Dharma Protectors. This is the single most important and most effective method.
One can make offerings to the Protectors by oneself or join in group Protector prayers or pujas. Focus your mind and pray for the blessings of the Protectors.
Also, you should recite Guru Rinpoche’s mantra, prayers that dispel obstacles and so forth. This will cause the invisible blessings to dissolve into your mind.
In this way, your listening, contemplation and practice of Dharma will start well and end well.
