At Bodhicharya France in Lusse, France, Rinpoche gave these teachings on Gampopa’s famous text, The Jewel Ornament of Liberation. If you study this text, you will understand more or less the whole of Tibetan Buddhism.

Part 5  recording is missing a few minutes from the beginning.

Consecutive translation to French by Karma Shérab Gyamtso.

Photo thanks to Bodhicharya France.

A SUMMARY
by Maggy Jones

Part 1

Q & A:  The Buddha is freed from 2 obscurations – mind poisons and habits therefore he has complete wisdom and compassion. Those who achieve the 1^st Bhumi * are beyond samsara. They see the true nature of things. Ability to transform or emanate into many life forms but always for the benefit of beings. You have 4 teachers: 1^st. The lineage teacher. 2nd. The scriptures, books. 3rd. Your own wisdom mind, your Buddha nature. 4^th Everything and everybody. Q. How do kleshas arise? ** 3 things are needed – the seed, an object that provokes it, your wrong view. How to transform them to wisdom? Leave them and they will go. Q The best beads for a mala (light-hearted discussion). Q Meditation and mantra. Q. Dullness? 2 types of dullness; sleepiness and unclear mind. 2 main obstructions to meditation – dullness and distraction. Meditation advice.

    * For information on the 10 Bhumis see https://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Ten_bhumis

    ** Kleshas: (Mind poisons) Anger, Jealousy, Pride, Desire/Aversion (one) Ignorance.

Part 2

All sentient beings can be divided into two – samsara and nirvana (the enlightened ones). Samsara and nirvana are not two different places – they are two states of mind. The samsaric mind is deluded and ego-centric; enlightened mind realises that all things are empty of solid existence, and are as a dream. When we wake up from this dream we are enlightened. But this is not simple; we must work on our ignorance and our kleshas and work with each other. There is no “higher power”, we must do this for ourselves. 3 types of people in Dharma: the totally committed believers who become Bodhisattvas for the benefit of all beings: those who go half-way: those who practise so they have a more comfortable samsara. The essence of all is Buddha Nature. We are born with personality and experiments have shown that even babies react to kindness / anger. But it is up to us to develop our wisdom to become Buddhas.

Part 3

What is a Buddha? An awakened human being who has developed their wisdom and compassion to the utmost. No matter what you have done it can be purified Story of Anguilemara. 5 types or stages of people from the nay-sayers to the Bodhisattvas. Rinpoche elaborates. We must believe that we have the essence and that it is possible to become a Buddha – then we can but it will take time.   Q & A

Part 4

What do we mean by “precious human life?” The 3 lower realms of life make enlightenment almost imossible. How I judge things depends on my mood. Story of wise shepherd describing his village. Story about dining in hell and heaven. Story about strange exhibitions in Holland – one on shit the other on war. We need the 8 freedoms. Rinpoche elaborates; and 10 assets – 5 you can acquire on your own 5 from other sources. Rinpoche elaborates. Now you are in a strong position to transcend samsara. Do not become complacent; life is short and there are many obstacles. Focus on your own actions not on what others should / not / be doing. Mindfulness in everything. You need 1. inspiration, 2. the aspiration to become like that, 3. confidence and certainty, then you will have made good use of your precious human life.

Part 5

The role of the “spiritual friend”. We are not awakened because we don’t know how to do this, the “spiritual friend” is one who will teach us how. 3 examples, a guide, a protector and a captain; Rinpoche elaborates.  4 types of teachers; 1^st the ordinary person, 2^nd  someone who has attained a high bhumi; 3rd Emanation of Buddhas; 4th the real Buddha. Rinpoche elaborates and cites the example of Gampopa’s relationship with Milarepa. The different qualities of the “ordinary teacher”; how you should relate to them and why you need one. The teacher is the doctor, the dharma is the medicine, and you take what is prescribed. Choose your “doctor” wisely.

Part 6

Q & A Questions inaudible. Buddha is free from all obscurations, habits therefore has complete compassion and wisdom. The 1^st Bhumi attains the complete paramita of generosity, the 2^nd Bhumi good conduct and so on. Rinpoche details the achievements of the Bhumis. We cannot always recognise an emanation of Buddha so you should treat all people as a Buddha. You have 4 teachers: 1^st. The lineage teacher. 2nd. The scriptures. 3rd. Your own wisdom mind, your Buddha nature. 4^th Everything and everybody. For kleshas to arise you need: 1. The seed, (the dualistic view). 2. An object that sparks it.  3. A negative reaction. To transform this klesha into wisdom, change your reaction. All experiences are in the nature of a “dream” – just let them go, dissolve. What are the best seeds, beads for a mala? Light-hearted discussion. Purpose of mantra recitation. Nature of dreams. Stories of precognition.