Given during a formal lecture to temple members
by Khenpo Tashi
As I mentioned many times before, there are basic teachings, and you think, “O this is easy!”
But whether the basic teachings are easy or not easy, first, did you totally understand them or not? Second, when you apply them as a training in your life, when you practice them, is it difficult or not?
If you find the basic teaching hard (when applying it to one’s life), then how can you practice the higher teaching?
We may think, “These are just basic teachings, I want the higher ones! I don’t want the basic ones.”
Basic is to be perfected first, and you don’t touch the higher teachings. When you hear Mahayana, Vajrayana, emptiness, Dzogchen, Mahamudra, Great Perfection, these are very great teachings.
But you cannot hold or perfect the basic teachings, so just let the higher teachings wait. Make a wish, “May I practice them (the higher teachings) in the future, in future lives!” in front of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
What are these “basic” teachings that we don’t like? Ten virtues and ten non-virtues, for example. Yes you have heard them many times, but can you honestly tell yourself that you have perfected these ten day and night, without mistakes, in your life?
So, in this life, think of putting all these basic teachings into practice first, every moment.
________
The Ten Virtues and Non-Virtues:
- to renounce killing, and instead protect life
- to renounce taking what is not given, and instead practice generosity
- to renounce sexual misconduct, and instead follow the rules of discipline
- to renounce lying, and instead tell the truth
- to give up sowing discord, and instead reconcile disputes
- to abandon harsh speech, and instead speak pleasantly
- to renounce worthless chatter, and instead recite prayers
- to renounce covetousness, and instead learn to be generous
- to give up wishing harm on others, and instead cultivate the desire to help them
- to put an end to wrong views, and instead establish in yourself the true and authentic view