Khenpo Tsultrim Lodro
How does one determine if one has renunciation or not? Lama Tsongkhapa stipulated this requirement in “Three Principal Aspects of the Path”: If one seeks liberation day and night without break, then this is considered genuine renunciation. However, this standard is quite high, ordinary beings cannot develop this level of renunciation right away. Therefore, I propose that we first set a lower standard of renunciation.
Someone without renunciation will only seek pleasurable conditions in this life, or a good rebirth in their next life in the heavens or as a human. They are satisfied with this goal and do not wish for anything beyond that.
A person with renunciation may occasionally have such wishes too — he may enjoy good food, good clothes and good living conditions etc. However, he knows deep down that this is not the ultimate meaning of life and that these enjoyments are just temporary ways for living this life. He understands the futility of these temporary conditions ultimately -- such a feeling cannot be shaken off and accompanies him always. Due to this, he knows that these good conditions are not indispensable, it is okay to have them; it is also okay to lose them.
Such a practitioner’s mind is really set on liberation. If a practitioner has this type of constant awareness, then, basically, he possesses renunciation. A practitioner must develop renunciation before going into the more advanced Vajrayana practices.
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Traleg Rinpoche
It is fairly common for people to be enthusiastic about their practice at the beginning of the spiritual path, especially if some life situation has triggered their search. Some people are driven to spiritual practice out of despair or unhappiness or some kind of health scare or because they just got divorced.
After meditating for a while, they begin to feel better and go back to their old ways as if nothing were the matter—until the next time disaster strikes. We have to remind ourselves that even when everything is going well there is no insurance that our lives will continue in a positive direction.
People often think that if they eat well, exercise properly, and have a loving partner, a loving family, and rewarding work, this will guarantee them a long and happy life. The truth is that people die suddenly from unexpected causes all the time, regardless of their healthy lifestyle, careful intentions, or fortunate circumstances.
The four contemplations (common preliminaries/ngondro) are not presented to make us morbid or morose but to help build a real appreciation for our opportunities while we have them. If we do not think about the precious human body, impermanence, the sufferings of samsara, and karmic cause and effect as we do spiritual practices, we may not commit ourselves to their transformative potential.
If we think that each new day is just another day, we will never generate the motivation to do anything much. Each day is *not* just another day; it is a day that is going to determine what direction we take in the future. If we think that each day and each moment is precious, we will appreciate our lives more and feel motivated to pursue our spiritual goals. These four contemplations are designed to strengthen our resolve to approach spiritual practice in this way.
