Satisfied Buddhist - Domo Geshe Rinpoche

We shouldn’t mistrust the world if we are in skillful harmony with society’s organization…. but with the additional requirement that we adapt that imposed structure into our own life by exercising personal values. Laws preventing us from carrying out each and every personal desire can limit the boundaries of personal freedom to do anything we want. That implies that there are certain levels of o ur idea of total freedom that we cannot explore. Of course, we can all agree that everyone should follow certain rules and there needs to be a balance between personal needs and the needs and freedoms of others. Therefore, we avoid impinging on the freedom of others by voluntarily limiting the full expression of our own freedom. Out of my modifying personal values mentioned earlier come my own choices, such as who I might vote for to represent me in political office or on a committee. Perhaps I will vote for someone who thinks like me and who also cares about the needs of others. On the othe...

Awakening, rather than becoming ultimately powerful is what was taught by Lord Buddha. To really awaken will require giving up both short term and long term fantasies which bind to illusion. Short term fantasy means relying on the momentary view, which will only be broken by knowing that it is empty of the potential for holding reality. Long term fantasies are both produced and strengthened by choices and desires that are driven by the distorted belief that the illusory will eventually produce satisfaction and closure to all problem. However, long imbedded fantasies will only be broken by the courage to be discovered on the way to greater awakening. ~ Domo Geshe Rinpoche ~~~~~ "Der Buddha lehrte das Erwachen und nicht das letztendliche Mächtigwerden. Um wirklich zu erwachen muss man sowohl kurz- wie auch langfristige Phantasien aufgeben, durch die man an Illusionen anhaftet. Kurzfristige Phantasie bedeutet, dass man sich auf die augenblickliche Sichtweise ve...

In the previous column there were discussed some of the ways people make changes to become more receptive to truth. Taking ordination vows is an extreme example as well as deciding to dedicate the rest of ones life to a hermit’s existence or perhaps living in a cave. Others will seek vows such as bodhchitta vows to energetically bind themselves to achieve the transformed state. However, there are methods we can put in to practice even today and one is to simplify. We could make things easier by giving away what is not used, needed or enjoyed anymore so that there are fewer objects that we need to control, care for, think about or even dust regularly! Even today, I took a carload of things over to Goodwill, so I feel quite happy about that. Another way to simplify is to watch how we spend our precious leisure time and make quality time management decisions to begin or sustain a regular meditation practice. Another obstacle that often confronts sincere seekers is reading about the l...

We want to emulate bodhisattvas beings. These heroes of Buddhism have achieved powerful levels of penetrating and clarifying their own nature. They break through and realign their understanding in the model of reality. Their sense of fantasy has been completely destroyed. In a way, it’s like…when you were young, I am pretty sure you believed in Santa Claus. Nearly every American child believes in Santa Claus, even Jewish children. It comes as an important belief for children. You don’t have to be Christian to believe in Santa Claus. When you were in grade school, I think you probably had strong faith in Santa Claus. You knew that through the efforts of Santa, all good things would flow if you just behaved yourself during November and especially December. Isn’t that so? Then some companion in the schoolyard or an older brother or sister whispered to you, “There is no Santa Claus.” This would have arisen some kind of anger in your mind toward that person. They are blaspheming the one wh...