Trust in the Triple Gems Is Most Important for a Buddhist
by Khenpo Tashi
The masters of the past, they were able to work so hard, naturally and without doubts and complaints, because of trust in the Triple Gems. This trust in them is so strong. We have a phrase in Tibetan, nying ru chen, “one who possesses a heart made of bone”. Very strong heart. Because of this trust.
Many times, in the millions of his past lives, Buddha was born as a king or as a great king, with thousands of smaller kings under him. During those times, he was still able to give up his life, reputation and power as a King, to hear the Dharma or to perfect a virtue such as generosity. (READ: The King and the 1,000 Iron Poles)
For most of us, if we were that king, can we do the same thing? Or we will postpone hearing the Dharma to the next life, and enjoy the pleasures and riches and fame of a king in this life? (READ: The Prince Left the Kingdom)
Then, also, other masters of the past, they would hear that behind such a mountain, there is a master teaching the Dharma. But only 4 lines of the Dharma. Nothing more. However, to cross that mountain, they will have a 99.9% chance of dying. They would still risk their lives, cross the mountain to hear that Dharma and to be a student of the master.
DEVELOPING TRUST IS MOST IMPORTANT
If we can only bring home one thing at the end of the day, if we can only possess one thing at the end of our lives, it should be this complete, unswerving trust in the Triple Gems.