We have many friends and sangha members in the United States and in particular the State of Texas, so we were very sad to hear about the recent, bad hurricane in Texas. Every year, all over the world there seem to be more and more about natural disasters. They kill many people, bring much damage and cause many difficulties. If these problems weren't enough, all we hear in the news is about the financial troubles that are escalating throughout the world. With food and fuel prices always going up, up, up, many basic necessities are now beyond some people's reach. Life savings are being lost overnight. It is all so sad and these things tend to negatively affect people's daily lives. One might think one is all alone and without hope.

 

Good action/virtue and bad action/non-virtue bring happiness and suffering respectively. Good virtue brings happiness. Non-virtue brings suffering. We have met with authentic teachings and authentic teachers, and we know what we should take and what we should abandon in this, our samsaric world. We know that non-virtue is the cause of all suffering, so we should abandon it and instead accomplish virtue at all times. I've received some emails from our sangha members and know that they have been practicing well during this time, and that they are taking on the bad circumstances as a part of their practice. From this, I know that their minds are really focused on practice.

 

So, how do we take on the bad circumstances that befall us and apply them to our practice?

 

First, we should focus our practice on impermanence. Remember, whatever the situation, whatever the loss, it is impermanent. It won't last. All life is impermanent. The bad situations, the bad circumstances should remind us to practice. Our practice will make us more confident in one's own ability to handle the bad circumstances. Our practice will make us less fearful and more peaceful when facing any sort of loss, be it death or worldly attachments. With practice, our mind is better able to handle the bad situations -- which we know will happen to us again, and again, and again. That is the nature of samsara.

 

Next, focus on one or some of the particular negative circumstances of our times. Not how they affect on your own unfortunate situation(s), but on the circumstances of all the other people who are undergoing the same bad things that you are - or maybe worse. Meditate on their situation. Meditate and take on their sufferings as you own. In exchange, meditate on giving them happiness. All the happiness of the world. Give it to them. We call this practice tonglen -- breathing in their sufferings and breathing out the happiness of the universe. It is an excellent daily practice. It is an especially powerful practice in the face of bad circumstances.

 

Tonglen is a practice that will increase your awareness of others. Furthermore, tonglen helps Bodhichitta grow within you. Bodhichitta is the practice of benefiting others. It is the essence of the Mahayana practice. It benefits all our mother sentient beings from beginningless time.

 

So, during particular times of trouble when so many need our help, let us focus our practice on impermanence, let us practice tonglen, and let us pray for Bodhichitta to grow deeper and stronger within us so that we may benefit all sentient beings.

 

 Students of the Venerable Khetsun Sangpo Rinpoche and Tulku Jigme Rinpoche are invited to ask questions at dudjom_institute@yahoo.com.