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20 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

Geshe-la at Tara Institute, Melbourne Rinchen Jangsem Ling, Triang, Pahang, Malaysia.

Buddha is like a qualified doctor, distract us from Dharma and those Not stealing – this includes taking
who through his analysis, who encourage us to engage in anything that belongs to others
discovered that we are suffering negative behavior. without permission (even a stalk
from (karma and delusion) and of flower from a garden). Why is
formulated the Path to be free from The 5 Lay Vows there the urgency in taking this
karma and delusion. In addition to the Refuge Ceremony, vow? Because in our lives, we
there is the taking of the 5 lay vows. experience loss and failure in our
Dharma is like the medicine which One can take all the 5 vows or jobs/projects or we get wealth but
will heal us of all delusions and only some of them. It is important cannot retain it. This is not due
suffering. Dharma is selflessness/ to know that the 3 causes to gain to one’s lack of skill or the world
emptiness. Conventionally, Dharma the precious human rebirth is (1) economy. It is due to one’s karma
refers to the scriptures, including practicing vows; (2) engaging in 6 of being miserly and stingy; or
one syllable of Dharma or mantra. Perfections; (3) having the wish to even when we give, it is given with
Sangha are like the doctor’s obtain higher rebirth. difficulty or is made conditional
assistants to help practitioners upon receiving acknowledgment
on the Path. The main thing to Not intentionally killing a human or or having expectations in return,
remember is that we should not any living beings including animals. including merit. We can see that
allow ourselves to be influenced by For “intentional killing” to arise, even during a period of economic
the 8 worldly concerns (wanting there needs to be the intention crisis, some people are very
gain and not loss; wanting praise to kill, identifying of the object to successful. Why is this so? This
and not criticism; wanting comfort be killed, the act of killing and the clearly shows how karma works. If
and not discomfort; wanting good feeling of satisfaction at the result one has been generous in the past,
reputation and not bad reputation). of killing. If after taking this vow, the result is having abundance.
one accidentally causes death, Generosity refers to 3 kinds of
Sangha – the actual Sangha Refuge the full karma of killing does not generosity - the generosity of giving
refers to Arya Beings, like the happen (although there is still some material possessions, the generosity
Bodhisattva Kuan Yin, Manjushri, negative karma accumulated). By of granting protection and the
Maiteya , the Pandits etc.. those avoiding killing, we are able to generosity of sharing Dharma.
who possess the direct realization purify past karma of killing and will
of emptiness. The conventional find ourselves having better health, Our Guru, Kyabje Lama Zopa
aspect of the Sangha Refuge are for instance. Rinpoche practices pure giving – he
the ordained monks and nuns. We has no idea of counting – sometimes
should avoid negative friends who he receives Rp 1 from you to give