Rinpoche gave these four wonderful talks on the topic “The Ecology of Love and Wisdom” at Shambhala Boulder, Colorado (USA). Teachings were also streamed on Zoom.

Photo thanks to Tanja Popovic.

A SUMMARY
by Maggy Jones

Part 1

Rinpoche reminisces about his early days in India where he met Trungpa Rinpoche. What is ecology? Love and relationships with everything. It is love that makes the whole world function; look at mothers and young of all species. But love also brings other emotions, such as attachment therefore fear and anger. We want people to like and respect us – don’t we all. War brings only destruction and more hate. If we could treat each other with respect, we would live happily in peace. But we don’t; this wrong way of doing things causes our samsara. Story of Siddartha. How much can one person do? The 8 impossible things for which you must transform your reactions. Quality of compassion. Two types of Dharma:- 1. The experience of Buddha (enlightenment) 2.  The instructions coming from Buddha. Instructions alone are not enough. Rinpoche’s driving experiences.  Q & A

Part 2

Most translators use “loving-kindness” as “love” on its own has many meanings. Buddha’s teachings did not focus on political problems but on our inner reactions as these are the cause of all other problems from personal to international. 4 noble truths identify the problems and their solution. Nothing is permanent, everything changes and can be changed. Padmasambhava’s prophecies (many were ignored) and results. You must make the most of your life as best as possible, whatever happens. Two Truths: Relative – the way things work around us; Ultimate truth – the way things really are, with no solid existence. Our Kleshas * (mind poisons) cause all the problems, small and universal, create our karma and samsara, our heaven and hell. Discusses life of the ordained. Cultural differences are strong but human emotions are the same. Loving kindness costs nothing but brings so much.

Make happiness for all beings your ultimate goal. You take Refuge in Buddha, and get guidance but you have to do it yourself. Reminisces about great masters.

* Pride, Jealousy, Anger, Attachment/ Aversion (one), Ignorance.

Part 3

What you are is a great awareness. Negative emotions are useless. As there is no “I”, who? what? Is getting upset? Q & A on wisdom. Rinpoche explains meaning of wisdom as used in a teaching by Naropa. Use the word “loving-kindness” rather than “compassion” which is too demanding. Loving-kindness comes from our understanding that all beings want happiness. This way you become a Bodhisattva warrior. HH Dalai Lama always says “My religion is Loving-kindness”. The practice is to work on your kleshas compassion is the antidote for 4 kleshas; the antidote for ignorance is wisdom – essential but difficult. Remember everything is impermanent. Live each day as if there might not be a tomorrow – so make it worth-while. Feel the preciousness of your life. Story on appreciation

The main tool is mindfulness – being aware of what is happening when it is happening. Be in charge over your own emotions. Story of bags of white pebbles and black.

Part 4

3 ways to change;  1.  Let go of negative reaction.  2.   Transform it.   Change reaction. The causer may also be under stress so offer compassion, understanding. Story of Buddha and cup of water that purified – as does our mind in shamatha meditation. Vajrayana practice uses visualisations, using the result as the path. Other forms of meditation eg analytical. But these forms are still intellectual, conceptual, and not experiential. If you look deeply you will see these emotions have no purpose. Where do they come from? Where do they go? From the mind? What, where, is the mind? Examples of mirage, rainbow – there but no solid existence. Quotes prajnaparamita. This is the experience of the true nature of things, compassion follows naturally when you see all the unnecessary suffering, like seeing people having a nightmare.

This is Wisdom. Wisdom has many forms; it sets you free and brings quality to your life. Worldly wisdom and transcendental wisdom.   Q & A

For more information, visit: https://boulder.shambhala.org/