Notes on Tibetan Buddhism

в?... 1st Thought that Turns the Mind Precious Human Rebirth.

в?... Make sure to study 12 links of interdependence.

в?... Root cause of ignorance = Belief in пÑ--Ð...IпÑ--Ð... self, cause of both samsara and afflictive emotions that keep one anchored in samsara.

в?... The evolution of пÑ--Ð...IпÑ--Ð... will lead us to the bardo to be blown about by karmas winds.

в?... Aversion and Attachment will propel us to various realms of samsara.

в?... Main afflictive emotion in present life will control our rebirth in the future.

в?... The 6 main defilements correspond to the 6 worlds of samsara: Pride, Jealously, & Attachment = 3 Higher Realms. Hatred, Miserliness, & Ignorance = 3 lower realms.

в?... As with all phenomena suffering is interdependent and multiplies often with nasty results.

в?... Lord Buddha said grasping at what is attractive and aversion to unpleasant is the fuel for suffering with the spark being the belief in an eternal, independent self.

в?... Happiness in samsara is impermanent and fleeting and usually results in suffering. Its like a mosquito bite scratch = relief/happiness but leaves nasty scab in which itch comes back strong as ever.

в?... Working for all goals in this life (weather yuppie or hipster) will last at most till death. We will leave them all behind will the pain of separation and the oncoming pain of the bardo.

в?... The ngondro helps introduces suffering (1st Nobel Truth) and disgust with samsara.

в?... As Lord Buddha said one must find the cause and nature of suffering then proceed to battle and eradicate it.

в?... In 3 lower realms there is continuous suffering = the suffering of suffering.

в?... In 3 higher realms theirs is highs of pleasure and lows of suffering = the suffering of change.

в?... Realize you contain all 6 keys (emotions) to enter and realm in samsara is to be mindful to what key/emotion you use.

в?... Milarepa said patience is the best tool for mindfulness, it help keeps you sharp.

в?... On a more positive note bodhichitta and all the emotions that help give rise to it and support it will lead to extremely precious and useful merit.

в?... Hatred = Being born a Hell Being and all the various sufferings. Miserliness = Preta and the circumstances that keeps one hungry and miserable. Ignorance = Animal and the ignorance coming from not being able to engage in the most basic virtuous action as raw drives and instincts are in control. Attachment/Grasping = Humans and the sufferings of Birth, Old Age, Sickness, Death, and various other sufferings. Jealously = Asuras and a war like Spartan like nature and the cause for suicide battles against the Gods. Pride = Gods and being constantly so wrapped up in ones self and pleasures that Dharma and Wisdom is all but forgotten.

в?... Always remember that a Human Birth is the Most Precious! Buddhahood can be achieved as a human itпÑ--Ð...s not even a remote possibility in the other 5 realms.

в?... True Dharma begins when realizes how precious human birth is and how fast it will go by one of the 1st of the thoughts that turn the mind.

в?... Realize that the basic practices are the root and foundation that all of Dharma is built on. DonпÑ--Ð...t rush or skimp on them but practice them with great diligence these will be a vajra like foundation that will support the precious Bodhichitta, which like ManjushriпÑ--Ð...s sword will destroy all obstacles and dangers.

в?... Jumping up to high practices like Tantra with out first have completed and mastered the basics and having a vajra like attitude of Bodhichitta will lead to extreme danger and suffering of many.

в?... Always be aware how rare and valuable a human birth with 18 freedoms and advantages is and use this as one of the ingredients of the fuel that drives you to practice.

в?... Realize the 8 freedoms can be reversed and start cultivating love and compassion for beings from the very depths of the lower realms to the pinnacle of the highest god realm.

в?... Hell beings experience constant and intense suffering for an l-o-n-g time. Unfortunately to them the time feels infinitely longer.

в?... Remember that time is all in ones perception and ignorance.

в?... Lord Shakyamuni Buddha said until all Karma and causes of afflictive emotions are exhausted the keys to the lower realms are always ready to spring up пÑ--Ð... be mindful!

в?... Suffering of beings should sadden one greatly and should arouse the feelings of giving comfort, compassion, love, and relief. Along with the wisdom that at some points in ones life you suffered the same thing. These feelings and attitudes are water that help Bodhichitta flower.

в?... Barbarian and one who has greatly or slightly perverted views that lead to the rejection of the Dharma or beliefs of externalism or nihilism or that harming beings is a virtuous act.

в?... Even with all the wonderful past merit resulting in a human birth and the freedoms that come along with it finding and authentic guru is point Google zeros 1 %. As such one should all the efforts to please him and do as he says if not for your sake than for all other beings.

в?... Disbelief in karma/cause and effect will lead to a wide variety of suffering. Understanding karma/cause and effect will help give rise to compassion.

в?... The main ingredients that make up merit are wisdom and compassion.

в?... Review 10 advantages and meditate on if one finds complete dedicate merit to less fortunate beings.

в?... Compassion needs a focus and direction. Remember kindness comes in many forms from loving friends on the 4UM to grouchy people both will help us love equally and attack our egos.

в?... Remember chasing after entertainment and distraction will not only waste our time but lead to the suffering of many beings.

в?... There are a near infinite number of beings in the lower realms, so many in fact itпÑ--Ð...s impossible to understand with concepts.

в?... The number of beings who have found faith and practice Dharma