Welcome to our thirty third online session and this week a recording of a special teaching by Karma Yeshi on the ‘Advice from Atisha’s Heart’. We are currently broadcasting each Monday evening. If you would like to participate please contact us using the contact form on the homepage.
The recording can be found by using the YouTube button on our homepage, which will take you to our YouTube channel. Alternatively use the video link below
The following is the Root Text refered to in the teaching.
Friends, until you attain an awakened mind the Spiritual Teacher is indispensable, therefore rely upon a Spiritual Guide.
Until you realize ultimate truth, listening is indispensable, therefore listen to the instructions of a Spiritual Guide.
Since you cannot become a Buddha merely by understanding Dharma, practice earnestly with understanding.
Avoid places that disturb your mind, and always remain where your virtues increase.
Until you attain stable realizations, worldly amusements are harmful, therefore abide in a place where there are no such distractions.
Avoid friends who cause you to increase delusions and rely upon those who increase your virtue. This you should take to heart.
Since there is never a time when worldly activities come to an end, limit your activities.
Dedicate your virtues throughout the day and the night, and always watch your mind.
Because you have received advice, whenever you are not meditating always practice in accordance with what your Spiritual Guide says.
If you practice with great effort, results will arise quickly, without your having to wait for a long time.
If from your heart you practice in accordance with Dharma, resources will come naturally to you.
Friends, the things you desire give no more satisfaction than drinking sea water, therefore practice contentment.
Avoid all haughty, conceited, proud, and arrogant minds, and remain peaceful and humble.
Avoid activities that are said to be meritorious, but which in fact are obstacles to Dharma.
Profit and respect disturb the mind, so brush them aside like stones on the path.
Words of praise and fame serve only to beguile us, therefore blow them away as you would blow your nose.
Since the happiness, pleasure, and friends you gather in this life last only for a moment, don’t become attached to them.
We do not know how long we will live, so make wholesome preparations for the future.
You will have to depart leaving everything behind, so do not be attached to anything.
Generate compassion for all beings, and especially avoid despising or humiliating them.
Have no hatred for enemies, and no attachment for friends.
Do not be jealous of others’ good qualities, but out of admiration adopt them yourself.
Do not look for faults in others, but look for faults in yourself, and purge them like bad blood.
Do not contemplate your own good qualities, but contemplate the good qualities of others, and respect everyone.
See all living beings as your father or mother and love them as if you were their child.
Always keep a smiling face and a loving mind and speak truthfully without malice.
If you talk too much with little meaning you will make mistakes, therefore speak in moderation, only when necessary.
If you engage in many meaningless activities your virtuous activities will degenerate, therefore reduce activities that are not spiritual.
It is completely meaningless to put effort into activities that have no essence.
If the things you desire do not come, keep a happy and relaxed mind.
Beware, offending others will bring suffering, therefore be honest and straightforward.
Since all the happiness and suffering of this life arise from previous actions, do not blame others.
Always repay the kindness of your spiritual guide.
Since you cannot tame the minds of others until you have tamed your own, begin by taming your own mind.
Since you will definitely have to depart without the wealth you have accumulated, do not accumulate negativity for the sake of wealth.
Distracting enjoyments have no essence, therefore sincerely practice giving.
Always keep pure moral discipline for it leads to happiness.
Since hatred is rife in these impure times, don the armour of patience, free from anger.
You remain in a state of suffering through the power of laziness, therefore, ignite the fire of the effort of application.
Since this human life is wasted by indulging in distractions, now is the time to practice meditation.
Being under the influence of wrong views you do not realize the ultimate nature of things, therefore investigate correct meanings.
Friends, there is no true and lasting happiness in this materialistic world, so move to the firm ground of liberation.
Meditate according to the advice of your Spiritual Guide and dry up the river of suffering.
You should consider this well because it is not just words from the mouth, but sincere advice from the heart.
If you practice like this you will delight me, and you will bring happiness to yourself and others.
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