BUDDHISM > TEACHINGS: Advise to students by LING RINPOCHE

Advice to Students -- by Ling Rinpoche
Tushita Meditation Centre, Dharamsala, 13 Dec 2000.
(Transcribed and translated by Ven Yeshe Gyatso & Soktsang Nigan 
Edited by Kabir Saxena)

Background to Ling Rinpoche

Ling Rinpoche was born in 1984 and recognised in 1987 in Dharamsala, as the incarnation of Kyabje Yongdzin Ling Rinpoche (1903 - 1983), the sixth in his lineage and regarded as a human manifestation of Vajrabhairava, the wratherful aspect of Manjushri. 

Before fleeing Tibet in 1959, he had been appointed as His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Senior Tutor and became the 97th Ganden Throne Holder in 1965.

Rinpoche now studies at his former monastery, Drepung Loseling in South India.

"….Lama Zopa Rinpoche asked me to come therefore I am very happy to be able to visit.

Regarding the history of Tushita, generally Thubten Yeshe la and Zopa Rinpoche both had a very strong connection with Ling Rinpoche and were his disciples. I myself also in this life, have this connection with Rinpoche and Lama Tenzin Osel Rinpoche. When we were young, I was staying over there at Chopra House and we came to know each other very well. Lama Osel used to come for tea, just like this, you know. 

A while ago, I had a casual conversation with Zopa Rinpoche and at that time I asked Rinpoche what was the reason he had for having all these centres.

Then Rinpoche said, that because he is a Tibetan lama and a Buddhist Dharma practitioner, preserving and spreading the Buddhist teachings has become Rinpoche’s duty. Regarding this, Rinpoche has a strong relationship, specially a dharma relationship, in foreign countries, giving teachings and so forth. Therefore Dharamsala is a place where many foreigners gather. That's why Rinpoche thought that having a Dharma centre here, a place where the Buddha Dharma could if possible, be taught, would be excellent. Thinking that, it all started, Rinpoche said.

Therefore this was an extensive vision of Rinpoche and a centre started. Therefore, Rinpoche’s vision being like this, even if you cannot generate the path within your mindstream, you should all have the determination to do so. According to the wishes of Rinpoche.

The teachings are divided into two - scriptural and insights. The insight teachings refer to generating the path in the mindstream; and scriptural teachings refer to teaching the Dharma. So generating the path within the mindstream refers to practicing, and then teaching based on one’s experiences, that is the scriptural teachings. In the Abhidharma, it is said: “explaining and accomplishing only?”. The essence of the teachings are like this.

Therefore mainly Gyalwa Yeshe Norbu (Holiness Dalai Lama); then your guide, master and root guru Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the various refuge protectors have given various teachings. Also all the different lama’s teachings as well as Holiness’s teachings and advice that you have received, should be practiced by practicing scriptural and insights teachings, hence preserving them. 

Like this, practicing and preserving in this manner. You foreigners are sometimes unstable, constantly running after new things. That’s the way I see it, you foreigners are unstable - receiving teachings for a few days from a lama and then criticizing afterwards. This happens. So this should not happen. You should reflect on this and act accordingly, it is important. Why’s that? Because as a practitioner of the Buddha Dharma, one accepts the Buddha Dharma, and should practise in accordance with the Buddha Dharma. Because if one degenerates the practice of relying on the Spiritual Master, it is very serious because in the outline of the Lam Rim, in the very beginning, is the topic of relying on the Spiritual Master. Therefore this is very important. One should practise properly.

Thus if one doubts the teacher’s way of doing things, then one should humbly ask for clarification and remove the doubts; it is good to do it in this way. Otherwise if, upon seeing something disagreeable, one immediately criticises and so forth, then it’s only negative karma for the self only, it will not affect the lama. 

Practise the Dharma well, and stay with a happy mind, with a virtuousmind, eat delicious food and thus - make merry!

Eat well! You have good cooks, huh! Amdo cooks!

Thank you!"

MAY ALL BEINGS BE HAPPY!