We must reflect carefully and not make the assumption, “The cause and the effect co-exist. A father and his son serve as a good example of this, don’t they?” Such thinking is rather childish. From the illusory standpoint, the law of cause and effect is certainly tenable. If we wish to lie to ourselves and others, to accept the existence of such illusions, and to refuse other views about our world, then there is no need to study further. In order to have a better future in our next lives, we may try to do more good deeds and avoid non-virtuous behavior, believing in karma and the cycle of birth and death. However, such ‘good futures’ also appear and disappear as quickly as a glance. If you are dissatisfied with your current state and wish to be liberated from such an illusory world, then an answer must be found. Whether to pursue a different path or not—the choice is yours!

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 10

If bodhicitta has not been aroused so far, every endeavor should be made to do so. A rather detailed explanation of the specific methods can be found in The Words of my Perfect Teacher. And more extensive instructions on the subject are available in Notes on The Words of My Perfect Teacher, which also have been included in Wisdom Light If bodhicitta has not been aroused so far, every endeavor should be made to do so. A rather detailed explanation of the specific methods can be found in The Words of my Perfect Teacher. And more extensive instructions on the subject are available in Notes on The Words of My Perfect Teacher, which also have been included in Wisdom Light II — Teachings on the Five Preliminaries.1 So there is no need to repeat again now. Teachings in general are easier to understand, unlike treatises. Once understood and subsequently applied in actual practice, uncontrived bodhicitta can surely be aroused.

~ Depicted from THE RIGHT VIEW - The Three Supreme Methods—the ultimate methods of cultivating virtue and training the mind

When Atisha was getting ready to go to Tibet, he knew he would be held in high regard there and no one would dare to offend him. In order to practice patience, he intentionally brought along an attendant with a quick temper. Even an accomplished master like Atisha would look for ways to practice patience, how can we harbor anger toward the object that affords us such an opportunity? We really ought to be grateful.

~ Depicted from "THE HANDBOOK FOR LIFE"S JOURNEY : On The Three Poisons - How to Confront Anger

Five Major Categories of Sastras

The five major categories of sastras are five different types of commentaries, each of which is a system of its own.

The first type of sastra is called precepts, which deals primarily with regulations governing the conduct of monastics and laymen.

~ Depicted from ARE U READY FOR HAPPINESS : The Significance of Buddhist Philosophy Today

To overcome greed one has to have a sense of renunciation. With a sense of renunciation, one can get rid of or control one's greed and desire. In order to overcome selfishness, one must have bodhicitta. With bodhicitta, one can reduce or eliminate selfishness. And, to overcome attachment, one has to realize and attain emptiness. Once the realization of emptiness is attained, all the issues including greed, selfishness and attachment will eventually be resolved. Therefore, it is most crucial to realize and attain emptiness.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 4

Now I have to remind everyone once again to recall and reflect on the many years of your Buddhist practice to see if you had in your mind only the interest of others and no concern at all for your own liberation. Had this idea ever crossed your mind? If not, there could not have been any real altruistic action either. And neither have you been Mahayana practitioner all these years. Besides, even if we have been reciting the sadhana of Receiving Bodhisattva Vows everyday, without the determination to attain Buddhahood for the sake of sentient beings, we are unlikely to be affected much by the recitation. It will just become a mere formality in the end. How dreadful that must be!

~ Depicted from THE RIGHT VIEW - The Three Supreme Methods—the ultimate methods of cultivating virtue and training the mind

We should repeatedly reflect on this, repent, learn the lesson, resolve not to act impetuously again and make sure to handle such situation more calmly and appropriately in the future. Although anger or hate is very hard to control, it is still possible to make progress if one can train in first controlling one’s mildest anger.

~ Depicted from "THE HANDBOOK FOR LIFE"S JOURNEY : On The Three Poisons - How to Confront Anger

After Buddha Sakyamuni entered parinirvana, his disciples proceeded to explain, in accordance with their own understanding and realization, the teachings which the Buddha expounded. The Dharma teachings which are the actual words of the Buddha are called sutras; the commentaries of the disciples are called sastras. In the Chinese edition of the Tripitaka, collections of both the sutras and the sastras can be found.

There is an extensive compilation of sutras and sastras in Buddhist literature. Many of the Tibetan monasteries and Buddhist institutes of advanced studies have included five types of sastras in their required curriculum. They are called the five major categories of sastras.

~ Depicted from ARE U READY FOR HAPPINESS : The Significance of Buddhist Philosophy Today

According to some surveys, given the same living condition, the level of happiness for those who have faith far exceeds those who have not.

Why? It is because the ones having faith can more easily find their identities in a disorderly society as well as refuge for the mind and purpose for their lives. Most importantly, having faith can help people better control their worldly pursuits, knowing somewhat the futility of relying on those for ultimate happiness. Relatively speaking, their desires are less rampant and hence feeling happier in life overall.

~ Depicted from Luminous Wisdom Book Series 6