“When you recognize the nature of mind, fabrication and effort are naturally freed” — Guru Rinpoche Happy Guru Rinpoche Day!

Celebrate the wisdom and compassion of the Lotus Born, Guru Rinpoche. Quoting the great and glorious Padmasambhava:

• Adorn yourself with the eminent virtues of the Victorious Ones!

• You may speak like the Lion of Speech [Manjushri], but unless you take to heart the primordially pure nature of resounding emptiness, that will not prevent the ripening of karma. So take to heart the primordially pure nature of empty resounding!

• You may have the bravery of a strong fighter, but unless you possess the intelligent strength of discriminating knowledge, you will not turn the tide in the battle with samsara. So possess the intelligent strength of discriminating knowledge!

• You may possess the power and might of a world ruler, but unless you gain mastery over your own mind, when the time of death arrives you still haven’t attained the power of freedom. So gain mastery over your mind!

• You may try to support your family and friends, but at the time of death all other actions besides the virtuous practices of Dharma activities will have been pointless. So constantly apply yourself to spiritual practices in thought, word, and deed!

• You may consume all kinds of delicious food, but unless you adhere to the nectar of the innate nature, it all turns into a heap of filth. So drink the nectar of the profound instructions!

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  You may gather wealth and possessions, but only the two accumulations can be enjoyed after death. So gather the two accumulations as much as you can!

• Your castle of earth and stone may be beautiful, but unless you dwell in the fortress of the unchanging, you must depart and leave it behind. So keep to the fortress of the unchanging!

• You may pursue worldly fame and gain, but unless you follow the teachings of the Buddha, such activity will only be the cause for throwing you back into further samsara. So adhere to the teachings of the Buddha!

• When you keep company with an eminent master, his qualities will automatically influence you.

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  When your appearance conforms with worldly conventions, you will encounter less criticism.

• When your mind looks into itself, dharmata will dawn from within.

• When you recognize the nature of mind, fabrication and effort are naturally freed.

• When you realize that samsara and nirvana are dharmakaya, you need not put effort into meditation practice.

• Fortunate ones, mingle your mind with the Dharma and the happiness of Buddhahood will manifest within you!

• Whatever Dharma practice we engage in, large or small, we must dedicate the merit. If we fail to dedicate, then whatever merit we have accumulated can be lost very easily in a moment of anger, or in giving rise to any afflictive emotion or action.