Author Archives: Ven. Lopon Osel

Tobacco: ‘the guide that leads the blind on a false path which ends in a precipice’

by Kybjé Jigdrèl Yeshé Dorje, Düd’jom Rinpoche Tibetan Text
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Om Swasti:
With supreme appreciation and deep respect for Padmasambhava – wisdom manifestation of all Buddhas and union of the Buddha families – I shall relate the history of tobacco. Approximately a hundred years after Buddha Shakyamuni’s parinirvana, a Chinese demon, maddened with obsession, spoke these dying words: 
“Through my body I wish to lead the beings of this earth to lower realms. Bury my body intact and eventually a plant, different from all others, will grow out of my remains. Merely by smelling it, people will experience pleasure in body and mind, far more joyful than the union of male and female. It will spread far and wide until most of the beings on this earth will enjoy it.” Continue reading

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Kybje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

Tibetan Text
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, one the five immediate reembodiments of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo, was born in 1910 as the fourth son of the Dilgo family, which traced its descent from the great ninth century king of Tibet, Trisong Detsen. The family home, his birthplace, was in the valley of Denkhok in Kham the easternmost of Tibet’s four main provinces. Kham was made up of many small kingdoms,
of which the largest and most influential was Derge. Khyentse Rinpoche’s grandfather, Tashi Tsering, and later his father, were both ministers to the king of Derge.
Khyentse Rinpoche’s elder brother had been recognized as the incarnation of Sangye Nyenpa, a great teacher whose seat was Benchen. Despite being very religious, his father was not happy at all, because his first son was already a monk and he had no wish to let all the others embrace the monastic life. Continue reading

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Interview with Kyabje Khyentse Rinpoche

His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was one of the leading masters of the pith instructions of Dzogchen (the Great Perfection), one of the principal holders of the Nyingmapa Lineage, and one of the greatest exemplars of the non sectarian tradition in modern Tibetan Buddhism. He was a scholar, sage and poet,and the teacher of many important leaders of all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He passed away on September 27, 1991, in Thiumphu, Bhutan. Continue reading

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The right and wrong teacher

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Excerpts from The Vase of Amrita by Dzatrul Ngawang Tendzin Norbu, the Wrong teacher The Inner Tantra (nang rgyud) says: Ignorant and proud, Lacking in intelligence he teaches mere words;

He cuts down others with disparaging statements; With little learning and a lot of arrogance He is at true evil for the disciple who fails to recognize such a teacher. Such a teacher does not have even a single one of the many good qualities that are born from listening and meditating. Nevertheless, because he belongs to a good family he claims: “I am the son of so and so,” and, like a Brahmin, conceitedly wraps himself in his noble ancestry. Although he is no different from any ordinary person,

he acts as if he were on the same footing as the great siddhas of the past. When he has done a little study and practice, he puffs up with self-infatuation as soon as others show him some marks of respect. He is so full of pride, so stupid, and arrogant, that he cannot see the qualities of great beings. He is irascible and jealous, and the cord of love and compassion in him is broken. Continue reading

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How Important is Guru Yoga

The Four Empowerments With the skillful means of the Vajrayana, the practitioner receives the blessings of the teacher in the form of rays of light.
This is the empowerment (abhiseka in Sanskrit, or wang in Tibetan). It is called “empowerment” because when we receive it we are empowered to follow a particular spiritual practice, and so come to master its realization. Most of us have received empowerment from a qualified teacher,

but to maintain the stream of blessings of the empowerment and to renew its power, we need to receive the four empowerments over and over again by ourselves, through the practice of Guru Yoga. This is in fact the most essential part of the Guru Yoga practice. In Guru Rinpoche’s own words: Continue reading

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Special days of the Tibetan Buddhist Calendar

The Tibetan Buddhist calendar has special days throughout the year. This text is a commentary on the special times relating to Shakyamuni Buddha’s life, the ten Guru Rinpoche days, and the 25 dakini days, written by Tselea Natsog Rang Drol.

Guru, Buddha, and Bodhisattvas, those having mastery of compassion, to them I pay homage and go for refuge.
With the intention to benefit those having faith, a correct attitude, and a mind of virtue, here I will explain the classification, enumeration and benefits of these special days. there are three topics: the general, the particular and their distinctions. Continue reading

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How to Respect the Three Jewels and How to Keep the Refuge Vow

Part 1: An important message from Buddhist teachings

Buddhist Dharma student you will eventually accomplish Buddhahood even though you may initially misinterpret the teachings.

You may think that Dharma books and other kinds of books are the same, but they are not. Their meaning is different because they were not written by a Buddha or Bodhisattva. Also, other kinds of books offer only temporary support. They should not be respected in the same way, but merely studied. Whoever wrote them may be very intelligent, but that is not necessarily a Buddha or Bodhisattva.

Like our heart, the most vital organ in our bodies, the Dharma is the most vital part of our soul. It illuminates our darkness and purifies our ignorance. The meaning of Dharma is the wisdom of Buddha. Any other kind of book does not have the power to lead you to Enlightenment. Rather they will lead you to activities of samsara.

One sutra says, “‘in degenerated times I will manifest in a form of a Letter. Whoever respects faithfully will be liberated from samsara. If there is no understanding about this, then the Buddhist Dharma texts will be not respected and cannot bring blessings, and then even those who have already received the refuge vow will be breaking vows. But people do not know this, so this message is very important. I’m sending this message because people everywhere consider Dharma books as equal to regular books. Continue reading

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The Benefits of Observing the Great Festival of the Tenth Day

by His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche Clique aqui para Portugese OM SVASTI May we obtain refuge in all our future rebirths in the Udiyanna Vajradhara who removes all difficulties,

the mere recollection of him brings about the bestowing of many desires, siddhis, and blessings just as does a wish-granting gem, a wish-granting tree, and a precious wish granting vessel. For anyone who beholds his deeds, the understanding of a disciple will grow within her or himself.

As for several occasions he displayed on the Tenth Day of the waxing moon during the twelve months of the year. Continue reading

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The Refuge vow

Refuge and Bodhichitta, So, to begin with , what is it that brings us into the Buddha’s teaching? What is the door through which we must enter, the “ mental soil,” so to speak, in which we can plant the seed of Dharma?

It is taking refuge. This marks the difference between a Buddhist and a non-Buddhist, between one who is inside the teachings and one who is outside.
To take refuge is to recognize the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma, and Sanghaas one’s unchanging protectors, and to turn to them sincerely and with full confidence. This opens the door of the Dharma at the very outset.

​When we have taken refuge in the Three Jewels, what should our fundamental attitude be? We should understand that the whole of space is pervaded by living beings; there is not one of them that has not been, at one time or another, our father or our mother.

We should recognize that they have been our parents and feel gratitude toward them for the love and kindness they have shown us. We should also realize that all these beings, once our mothers, are sinking in the ocean of the sufferings of samsara.

We should cultivate the attitude of bodhichitta, taking the decision to practice the supreme Dharma for their sake. Bodhichitta is thus the fundamental preparation and the basis of our practice of the path. Continue reading

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Advice for Nyingma Practitioners

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Since I am the eldest of the Nyingma lamas, I have been asked to share some humble thoughts and opinions with all those who have gathered here this year in the sacred place of Bodhgaya, India on the occasion of the Eleventh Annual Great Prayer Festival of the Early Translation School. I will therefore speak a few words of advice to express my point of view, so I hope you all listen well. Continue reading

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