A Gift of Dharma for 10.20.09
A thought today from the mighty Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche. Rinpoche is a Bhutanese tulku (reincarnate lama)–the third incarnation of the founder of the Khyentse lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. He was trained under modern masters such as His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, and His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche (his grandfather). He also studied at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. Today, he holds his traditional seat at Dzongsar Monastery and has established several temples and practice centers throughout the world. He is also the founder of the non-profit organizations Siddhartha’s Intent and the Khyentse Foundation. His most recent and popular book is What Makes You Not a Buddhist.
In addition to all of this work, Rinpoche also directs feature films under the name “Khyentse Norbu.” His first film, 1999’s much-beloved The Cup, tells the light-hearted story of a group of exiled Tibetan monks trying to watch the World Cup on television. His second film, the 2003 drama Travellers and Magicians, made history as the first film to be shot entirely in Bhutan. He also co-starred in and served as a technical advisor on Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1993 film Little Buddha. And he himself was the subject of Lesley Ann Patten’s 2003 documentary Words of My Perfect Teacher.
Here is the quote:
…These days even the most practical and obvious truths are ignored. We are like monkeys who dwell in the forest and shit on the very branches from which we hang. Every day we hear people talking about the state of the economy, not recognizing the connection between recession and greed. Because of greed, jealousy, and pride, the economy will never become strong enough to ensure that every person has access to the basic necessities of life. Our dwelling place, the Earth, becomes more and more polluted. I have met people who condemn ancient rulers and emperors and ancient religions as the source of all conflict. But the secular and modern world has not done any better; if anything, it has done worse. What is it that the modern world has made better? One of the main effects of science and technology has been to destroy the world more quickly. Many scientists believe that all living systems and all life-support systems on Earth are in decline.
It’s time for modern people like ourselves to give some thought to spiritual matters, even if we have no time to sit on a cushion, even if we are put off by those who wear rosaries around their necks, and even if we are embarrassed to exhibit our religious leanings to our secular friends. Contemplating the impermanent nature of everything that we experience and the painful effect of clinging to the self brings peace and harmony—if not to the entire world, at least within our own sphere.
