84,000 REASONS TO BE HAPPY

Yesterday’s morning meditation with Gen-la Kunsang was Venerable Geshe-la's personal meditation that combines the whole of Lamrim and is incredibly effective in causing qualified renunciation to naturally arise.

Then Gen-la Dekyong began the teachings by summarizing the first three great scope meditations in The Mirror of Dharma, that Venerable Geshe-la taught at the Fall Festival in 2013.

Gen la showed how we allow ourself to be deluded, and said that Geshe la encourages us to not allow ourself to be angry, negative, discouraged...deluded. We can do this through our determination and by memorizing, having Geshe-la's words in our heart so they will naturally come out when we need them to control our mind and make it peaceful.

Fortunate modern Kadampa disciples learn to internally multitask, meaning we skillfully combine different meditations into one, such as an oral instruction of refuge practice in which we generate renunciation and bodhicitta in one Mahayana refuge mind.

We take responsibility for our good fortune and share it with others by experiencing it and thereby naturally being a pure example in our modern society.

We have 84,000 reasons to be happy, not to mention all the Temples, Centres, Sangha - the list is endless!

Emptiness has great meaning. Everyone needs to understand and realize it's meaning to experience permanent freedom from suffering. Imagine, when our suffering ceases what we have to offer to others - we'll be tireless giving to everyone.

We need to contemplate the purpose of the meditation on emptiness. This will liberate so much joyous energy in our heart. The words in this meditation are like quintessential guidance on the path. We can learn them very quickly. This is our Guru's kindness.

Geshe-la encourages us to ask ourself the question, ‘What does emptiness really mean?’ When we understand deeply what emptiness means, when we perceive this we will perceive a generic image of emptiness. We hold it and remain.

Unlike other meditations, with meditation on emptiness the object of meditations is not a determination but a generic image. It is harder to remain on this because it is not part of mind and so easier to be distracted. So when we find the object of meditation on emptiness we have to refresh it many many times in one session.

GEN CHO, ITALY

TURNING OUR MIND TO THE DHARMA SIDE

Wow! The teachings and empowerments of Week 1 have been so extraordinary. Gen-la Dekyong has taught with such clarity and power. Again and again showing us the example of a disciple becoming a true oracle for Geshe-la, she transmitted a perfect feast of Venerable Geshe-la’s advice and instructions.

What stands out for me is how she brought alive the unique qualities of The Mirror of Dharma. Teaching us how to find the essential objects of our Lamrim meditation, how to hold them in our heart through memory and how to meditate in an effective and skillful way that will bring realisations.

As always, she drew us so close to Venerable Geshe-la, our living Je Tsongkhapa, highlighting the importance of Guru Yoga in ripening our potential for gaining realisations.

She fearlessly inspired us to work for the benefit of others and in the service of our precious tradition and Spiritual Guide. In this way we also fulfil the heart commitments of Dorje Shugden, to cherish Kadam Dharma, to practice and teach Dharma purely and to take personal responsibility for our tradition flourishing in the world.

Finally in perfect sync with the clear skies and beautiful illusory appearances, she gave sublime teachings on emptiness. Everything is empty like space, everything is mere name and functioning perfectly. She encouraged us again and again with Geshe-la’s words that emptiness solves all our pain and problems. Like the son of a childless woman in emptiness they disappear. We relax with the truth of emptiness.

Thank you Gen-la

GEN TUBCHEN, SCOTLAND