Rinpoche talks about The Three Jewels and the Three Roots in this teaching given at Kagyu Samye Dzong in Brussels and also streamed on Zoom.

With French translation (sessions 1&2 consecutive, session 3 simultaneous).

A SUMMARY
by Maggy Jones

Part 1

“The Three Jewels:  Buddha, Dharma, Sangha. “Buddha” is not just the name of a person, but the highest level of attainment any being can achieve. A Buddha is an “Awakened One” and is the ideal teacher because h/she is the best possible example with has wisdom and no bias,

The Dharma is the teaching of the Buddha. If you take Refuge in the Buddha you must study and understand the teachings then put them into practice. All beings have Buddha qualities but they are hidden. The Two Truths – Relative (the way we observe and experience things) and Ultimate – the way things truly are. We start with the problems caused by the Relative way – birth, old age, sickness and death. The understanding of Dharma will help us deal with these and work for a better life, or for self-liberation or for the benefit of every sentient being.

Sangha are people who have studied Dharma with authentic teachers and try to practice it. The goal is enlightenment – but don’t expect instant success.

Part 2

The Three Roots:  Guru, Deva, Dakini (Lama, Yidam, Khandro). Blessings are always there to receive – no need to ask. Story of man with too many problems. Look at the positive not just the negative. Detailed explanations of Buddha, Yidam and Sangha. Explanation of why Vajrayana is different. Different Schools specialise in different Yidams. Creation and Completion practice is in all. The nature of a Yidam. The meaning of “Vajra” and  “Vajra-yana”. The Guru, Lama, should hold an unbroken transmission of the teachings, authentic and unaltered.  ALWAYS examine a teacher before you commit yourself. You can have more than one Root Guru. Seeing your Teacher as a Buddha comes as a final realisation. You don’t do “Guru Yoga” practice to your own teacher but to a Being who is truly enlightened. You can learn from anything and YOU are your own best teacher  Q & A.

Part 3

If you see your teacher as a Buddha, you will become a Buddha, as a great teacher, you will become a teacher; as an ordinary person – then you will become that. Story of man with problems. Look for the positive qualities – we will find them, and likewise negative qualities. “Yidam” means “Deva”, a divine being. Explanations of the translations of Buddha, Dharma, Sangha. Different Vajrayana schools “specialise” in different Yidams; Kagyu in Hevajra Tantra. An individual may have a personal Yidam; Patrul Rinpoche said “ Bodhicitta is my Yidam!” Much study and application is required for any Yidam practice particularly Creation and Completion and use of the “subtle channels”. The 4 Yoga Tantras

Dakinis are not only female, they are those who have the experience of the Vajrayana, they can be positive or negative influences and under the control of the enlightened Dharmapalas.   Q & A

Video will be added later.

Photo thanks to the sangha.

For more information, visit: https://www.samye.be/