A Gift of Dharma for 11.4.09
by Danny Fisher
Today’s quote comes to us from the Venerable Khenpo Karma Tharchin Rinpoche.
A student of Buddhism since the age of twelve, Rinpoche was ordained at twenty by His Eminence the 11th Tai Situ Rinpoche at Palpung Monastery. By the time he was thirty, he had received his Khenpo degree. After fleeing Tibet, following the Chinese occupation, he lived in Bhutan and later taught at Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim.
In 1976, His Holiness the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa asked him to go to North America to establish a seat and monastery for Kagyu Tibetan Buddhism there. Eventually settling in Woodstock, NY, Rinpoche founded Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (more popularly known as KTD).
His many books include The Instructions of Gampopa: A Precious Garland of the Supreme Path and the brilliant Dharma Paths.
The 16th Karmapa once said the following about Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche: “He is a master of the Karma Kagyu tradition and is most learned in the origin, differences, and respective aspects of the various stages of Buddhism, from Hinayana to Vajrayana. Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche possesses the all benefiting nature of a bodhisattva.”
Here’s the quote:
The diligent practitioner of Dharma is always mindful of the transience of life, for we have no idea what is going to happen in the future or when we will die. By contemplating how or when death will come, we learn to appreciate the impermanence of life, and to develop a sense of renunciation. In this way, we become less involved in mundane attachments.
It is like planning a move from one geographical location to another. A wise person cultivates an attitude that accepts the idea, then plans the change skillfully, doing important chores ahead of time, so that at his new house everything will be ready and waiting. Once he arrives, he will be less concerned about the home he has left and more able to concentrate on settling down.
In the same way, realizing how short and temporary this life is allows us to devote more energy to practicing the Dharma. This is a more fruitful undertaking than being obsessed with material pleasures, for a time is going to come when none of these possessions can be claimed. Indeed, a time will come when we cannot take along even one strand of hair.
Our friends may be willing to help us now, but in the future, not they, or any possessions or wealth will have a chance to help us. Our position as Dharma practitioners is very rare, for even famous and rich people may not have the opportunity that we have. Because our lives are limited, we should regard the Dharma and the spiritual master as very, very precious.
[Image via Thrangu Rinpoche.]
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