Shows
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings28 Precious Human Rebirth, Guru Devotion, And Impermanence 22-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche says that human rebirth is more precious than all the wealth in the human and deva realms. It’s the basis for us to achieve liberation and full enlightenment. Therefore, before death, we must free ourselves from samsara. To do this depends on bodhicitta. Rinpoche explains that without bodhicitta, we cannot practice the tantric path. By cherishing one human being, we can achieve all the qualities up to enlightenment. After that, we can offer skies of benefit to each sentient being.Rinpoche advises that if you really understand the mind and practice awareness, you’ll r...2025-07-183h 19
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings27 The Power Of Prayer To Protect From Natural Desaste 21-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains how the tea offering to the eight groups of worldly devas can help stop natural disasters, such as extreme weather events. He recalls a time when he was at the Taipei Center in Taiwan during a typhoon. As the wind was pummeling the windows, he asked a geshe to do the tea offering. As soon as the offering was done, the wind stopped. Rinpoche adds that if the person is living in more pure morality, it has more power. Rinpoche advises to do the tea offering before building a house, starting a project, or travelling.2025-07-111h 13
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings26 The Kindness Of The Guru 21-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche goes through the names of the lineage lamas and discusses two important lamrim texts: The Happy Path (by Panchen Palden Yeshe) and The Red Commentary (by Panchen Losang Yeshe). He mentions that The Red Commentary is the basis of Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand by Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo.Rinpoche revises the discussion from the previous evening about not seeing faults in the guru. He urges us to transform the poison into nectar by using the perceived mistake to strengthen our guru devotion. He says that it’s important to always have the id...2025-07-043h 04
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings25 The Life Stories Of The Lineage Lamas And Guru Devotion 20-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche highlights the importance of reading the life stories of the Buddha and the lamrim lineage lamas. These stories show us how they practiced and how much hardship they endured, which inspires us to courageously bear hardships. When you’re able to bear hardships, then there’s no obstacle to continuously practicing Dharma.Rinpoche says that all the purification practices are encompassed within guru devotion. For example, when Milarepa was building the tower and being scolded by Marpa, this contained many hundred thousand prostrations. Each time Marpa scolded him, it purified so much negative karma.2025-06-272h 45
Lama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveThe Meaning of BlessingThe meaning of blessings is transforming one’s own mind into the whole path to enlightenment of method and wisdom with the goal of transforming these into the Dharmakaya and the Rupakaya. So the meaning of blessing contains all this.
-Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains what it means to receive the blessings of the guru, and then recites Lama Tsongkhapa’s lamrim prayer, the Foundation of All Good Qualities, in Tibetan. These teachings were given by Rinpoche at the Thirty-third Kopan Meditation Course, held at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, in 2000. Read along with the tran...2025-06-2520 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings24 Everything Comes From The Mind 20-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche begins this session with an analysis of how the mind labels phenomena using the example of the letter ‘M’. He shows how M came from our mind because it’s imputed by the mind. Rinpoche explains that there is no outside creator; the creator is your mind. Rinpoche says that until your mind labels a problem, there is no appearance of a problem. The problem only comes into existence after your mind labels it. To illustrate, Rinpoche uses the example of patience. If we label someone who harms us as a teacher of patience, there’...2025-06-201h 10
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings23 Preparation For Death 19-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche continues the discussion from the previous session about his pen-pal when he was in Buxa, Rachel Levi (a member of the Buddhist Society in London). Rinpoche recalls his dream about receiving a letter when she passed away. Although they didn’t meet, when Rinpoche was in London, he met her niece. When the niece’s husband passed away, an extensive puja was offered at Manjushri Institute. This made the niece very happy. Rinpoche highlights that it’s important for centers to do pujas, as much as possible, when somebody connected to the center has passed away. He des...2025-06-131h 48
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings22 Aged Care For Sangha 19-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche says that the reason to have meetings is to help with wisdom. Many people have different ideas, so that helps generate a broader view.Rinpoche talks about the importance of Sangha as role models. He says learning the words is incredible, but without practice, it’s like a tape-recorder. When someone has meditated on lamrim, they can teach with experience.Rinpoche introduces the main topic of discussion about caring for aged Sangha by suggesting that there should be several places organized in different countries rather than only one place. He then invites pe...2025-06-064h 34
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings21 Bearing Hardships And Meditating On Lamrim 18-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche discusses the seven attributes of a perfect human body and clarifies the points relating to caste and gender. He also discusses the eight ripening aspects that Lama Tsongkhapa emphasized in the Hymns of the Experience of the Path to Enlightenment.Rinpoche highlights the preciousness of this perfect human body. He says that it is more precious than the whole sky filled with wish-granting jewels. So, if we don’t get to practice Dharma for even a second, this would be a great loss. Thus, we must bear hardships to practice Dharma. If you don’t be...2025-05-301h 56
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings20 Bodhicitta Is The Treasure Of Merit 18-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains how to do the meditation with the requesting prayer. The way to meditate is to realize Guru Vajradhara, the Dharmakaya Buddha, as the root virtuous friend that embodies and pervades all the manifested billions of mandalas or deities.Rinpoche highlights that the purpose of our life is to free all sentient beings from suffering and cause them happiness. He says that working for others accomplishes two purposes: others’ happiness and our own happiness. Thus, working for others’ happiness has limitless skies of benefit. To illustrate this, Rinpoche gives an example from the Avatamsaka Sutr...2025-05-232h 56
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings19 The Eight Freedoms And Ten Richnesses 17-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche says that if you are only seeking the happiness of this life, then you haven’t reached any of the three capacities of the lamrim. The attitude of just seeking the power, reputation, and wealth of this life is an ordinary capable being, not a special capable being. This is not different from the animals and insects. Rinpoche emphasizes that the meditations for the graduate path of the lower capable being (the eight freedoms and ten richnesses, the great meaning and difficulty to find again, impermanence and death, the lower realm sufferings, karma) are ve...2025-05-162h 39
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings18 The Middle Way View 17-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche emphasizes the importance of first becoming clear about the extremely subtle dependent arising view that things exist merely in name (the Middle Way view). If this view is clear in your mind, then the rest becomes easy. If not, then you may get confused or fall into nihilism.Rinpoche gives instructions on how to meditate on this view. He explains the meaning of “form is empty” and “emptiness is form.” He shows how these lines present the Middle Way view: “form is empty” eliminates the extreme of eternalism; “emptiness is form” eliminates the extreme of nihilism....2025-05-092h 04
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings17 Oral Transmission Of The Guru Puja 17-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche gives the oral transmission (lung) of the Guru Puja. He explains that taking the oral transmission is important because it has the continuity of blessings from Panchen Losang Chökyi Gyaltsen, who completed the path to enlightenment.Rinpoche says that he received the transmission from a few lamas—His Holiness, of course, and also Trijang Rinpoche and Ling Rinpoche.Rinpoche explains the many benefits of having received the transmission. It makes our recitations and explanations to others more powerful and beneficial to the mind. Rinpoche gives an example of the Arya Sanghata Sut...2025-05-0224 minLama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveTo Achieve the Ultimate Peace
From our side, from us sentient beings, from our side, if we practice correctly, definitely, without doubt, definitely we’ll achieve the ultimate peace.
-Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains how to practice in order to achieve the ultimate peace for ourselves and all sentient beings. These teachings were given by Rinpoche in Singapore in January, 1993. You can read along with the transcript on our website.
2025-04-2629 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings16 Freedom From The Preta And Animal Realms 16-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche begins with a recap of the previous session’s topic: to always live life with a bodhicitta motivation. He cites the Kadampa geshes, who say that if we don’t do this, life will be a never-ending confession. This is because without bodhicitta, our mind will be self-centered and this causes other negative emotional thoughts (anger, attachment, jealousy, etc.) to arise. Then, we will engage in negative karmas, and our vows will degenerate.Rinpoche says that keeping the mind in the motivation of bodhicitta is like the sun shining in our life. It makes our...2025-04-253h 13
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings15 The Preciousness Of Human Life 16-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche begins with a reminder about the previous session’s discussion of how beneficial it is to recite the Buddha’s past bodhisattva life stories. He also talks about Lupa Rinpoche, a Nepalese lama who inspired many people to do nyung-näs and made a Dharma law that people could not kill animals in his past life.Regarding the Buddha’s past bodhisattva life stories, Lama Zopa Rinpoche suggests that they need good chanting. In that way, it would appear in the public’s view like singing a song and become even more inspiring. Rinpoche also sugg...2025-04-181h 52
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings14 The Buddha’s Past Life Stories 16-Apr-2004This session begins with the Guru Puja offering practice, prayers, and mantras. During the recitation of the tong-len prayer, Lama Zopa Rinpoche advises us to pause and go over the outline of the bodhicitta techniques (either the seven-point cause and effect method or equalizing and exchanging the self with others). Rinpoche says that since bodhicitta is the most precious wish-fulfilling thought for oneself and others, it’s important to briefly meditate on bodhicitta in this way.Rinpoche also recommends reciting the Buddha’s past bodhisattva life stories after doing the Guru Shakyamuni Buddha mantra and meditation. Rinpoche then...2025-04-1140 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings13 The Steps On The Path To Enlightenment 15-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche defines each of the three capacities of lamrim practitioners: lower, middling, and upper capacity beings. He advises that if we are only seeking happiness for this life, then we haven’t even reached the first capacity. Rinpoche stresses that such a person is not different from animals. Even animals are expert at seeking the happiness of this life by killing or cheating to get food. So, now, in this very lifetime, we must attempt to be in this group of capable lamrim practitioners.Rinpoche reminds us that this doesn’t happen without causes and cond...2025-04-041h 17
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings12 Advice On Prayers And Offerings 15-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains the Guru Puja prayers and offerings. He begins by reminding us to cultivate the special bodhicitta motivation and visualize offering all the extensive offerings in front of us as well as those in all the FPMT center gompas worldwide. By offering these on behalf of every sentient being to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, it becomes a very powerful puja for all sentient beings.Rinpoche also explains that if a family member has passed away (or is in the process of dying), it’s very good to make offerings on their behalf. He de...2025-03-282h 16Lama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveCovering The Whole EarthOnce your inner enemy of delusion is destroyed, it is the same as if all outside enemies have been destroyed in one instant.
-Lama Zopa Rinpoche
This month on the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive podcast, Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains how to protect ourselves from anger and expands upon the mind of loving kindness. These teachings were given by Rinpoche at the Thirty-third Kopan Meditation Course, held at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, in 2000. You can follow along with the transcript on our website.
2025-03-2513 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings11 Purifying Negative Karma 15-Apr-2004In explaining the general confession, Lama Zopa Rinpoche says that there are two types of regret. One type is useless because it only brings suffering; the other is positive as it leads to happiness. For example, if you feel regret after having done a virtuous action, it decreases the merit. Conversely, if you feel regret about a non-virtuous action, it weakens the negative karma. So, one way to purify negative karma is by regretting negative actions. Another method of purification is to look at the emptiness of each negative karma. These negative karmas do exist, but not in the...2025-03-141h 51
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings10 Making Merit And Rejoicing 14-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains that any happiness—temporary or up to enlightenment—depends on merit. Therefore, merit is incredibly precious. Rinpoche urges us to rejoice and feel happiness in our heart by recollecting all our past, present, and future merits. Each time we rejoice, the merit doubles. We should also rejoice in others’ merit. If we rejoice in the merits of a being whose mind is lower than ours, we collect double the merit that they collected. However, if the being’s mind is higher than ours, we collect half of their merit. Rinpoche gives the example of rejoicing in a bod...2025-03-072h 58
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings09 Extensive Offerings 14-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche discusses the extensive offerings that are being made at FPMT centers around the world and explains how to make charity by offering these on behalf of all sentient beings. In this way, every single offering becomes an offering from every single sentient being and they all gain merit. So, this becomes a great puja for the happiness of all sentient beings.Rinpoche says that each offering has ten benefits, but depending on which offering is made, the result is slightly different. He gives the example of incense, which has the particular result of pure...2025-02-2833 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings08 Lama ChöPa Prayers, Visualizations, And Offerings 14-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains the Lama Chöpa prayers, visualizations, and offerings. He mentions that this sort of explanation is not common within the Tibetan tradition, but for Westerners, he wants to provide some detail. Rinpoche says that the essential point is faith. If the prayers are recited with deep devotion, they become powerful. In this way, any mantra or prayer contains the complete path to enlightenment, and we receive all the blessings and realizations. Rinpoche gives the example of the refuge prayer. He says that when it is recited with devotion, it contains the 84,000 teachings of the Buddha. O...2025-02-2117 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings07 Meditating On Emptiness 13-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche takes us through a meditation on emptiness. He explains how everything appears inherently existent but is merely labelled by the mind and doesn’t have even an atom of true existence from its own side. Using various examples (the self, the five aggregates, actions, objects, phenomena, forms, sounds, smells, tastes, tangible objects, colors, samsara, nirvana, lower realms, upper realms), he explains how they are all merely imputed by the mind. Nothing exists inherently. In emptiness, even emptiness itself doesn’t exist. Even the mind that is imputing the phenomena is also merely imputed by the thought. From...2025-02-142h 41
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings06 How The Gyalwa Gyatso Initiation Integrates The Stages Of The Path 12-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche outlines how the Gyalwa Gyatso initiation integrates the stages of the graduated path for beings of lower, middling, and greater capacity. Rinpoche shows the parallels between each initiation and the path to enlightenment. For example, he explains how achieving the second initiation (the secret initiation) helps to achieve the illusory body, and the third initiation (the wisdom initiation) makes it possible to achieve the clear light.Rinpoche highlights that all stages of the path to enlightenment rely on the root of the path: correctly devoting to the virtuous friend. This means to see the...2025-02-071h 53
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings05 Devotion Is The Sublime Treasure 12-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche details the deep meaning of the mudras and explains that the essence of the merit field is the absolute guru. There’s no deity separate from the guru.He reminds us of how precious it is to be born human and to hear the teachings. Yet, even once we hear them, there are still a lot of hardships. To understand and have faith depends on how much merit we’ve collected. For some, it’s very easy to attain realizations. For others, it doesn’t happen even over many lifetimes. It’s a question of how muc...2025-01-311h 14Lama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveThe Shortcomings of Self-CherishingWhen you follow the ego, you become a disciple of the ego. You follow the ego day and night and listen what ego says all the time. Even if you have received all the sutra and tantra teachings and have heard them many times, when you follow the ego nothing happens in your mind.
-Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Lama Zopa Rinpoche discusses the many shortcomings of following the self-cherishing mind, and encourages us to abandon it without delay. These teachings were given at at the Thirty-third Kopan Meditation Course, held at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, in 2000. Read...2025-01-2737 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings04 Meditating On Emptiness Must Start With The Object To Be Refuted 11-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains why the first of the four-point analysis of emptiness—recognizing the object to be refuted—has unbelievable importance and has to come first. Without first recognizing the object to be refuted, you cannot do the other analyses. It is like recognizing the thief who has been harming you. After you recognize them, you can unleash weapons on them. You won’t shoot the wrong person. Similarly, if you don’t recognize the object to be refuted, all subsequent reasonings will not be on the object of ignorance. Thus, there’s a danger of using the I or pheno...2025-01-241h 43
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings03 The Utmost Importance Of The Guru Puja Practice 11-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche highlights the importance of practicing Guru Puja (Lama Chöpa), as it integrates many important practices. He cites Pabongka Dechen Nyingpo, who stated that the Guru Puja practice contains all the importance of the complete sutra and tantra. He also mentioned how His Holiness Song Rinpoche often praised the Lama Tsongkhapa tradition by expressing how Gyalwa Ensapa was different from Milarepa. They both achieved enlightenment in one brief lifetime during a degenerated time, but Gyalwa Ensapa did so while eating delicious food and living a comfortable life. The reason is because his heart practice was Lama C...2025-01-172h 55
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings02 Purpose Of This Life - 10-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains that the meaning of our life or the purpose of our life is to benefit other sentient beings, to free others from suffering and to cause happiness to others. Bringing them ultimate happiness, liberation is the most important service for you to offer. This is the greatest service, the most important service to other sentient beings.There are an inconceivable number of sentient beings who have connection to you and they don’t become enlightened until you actualize the path and reveal them Dharma. Therefore, you must achieve enlightenment as quick as possible. Yo...2025-01-1052 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings01 Ending Suffering Through Correct Dharma Practice - 10-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains how, through making requests from your heart to the root guru and the three-time buddhas and receiving the blessing of the guru, it’s possible to see the conventional nature of the mind and achieve clarity. To see the ultimate nature of the mind, it depends on collecting merits and purifying defilements. That is the only direct method to liberate oneself from the unimaginable oceans of samsaric suffering and cause, all the negative emotional thoughts, the action and karma, the very root, which is the unknowing mind. Unable to see the I which ex...2025-01-031h 08
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings03 The Need for Wisdom and Compassion - PART 4; 3-Jun-2006Lama Zopa Rinpoche discusses the significance of engaging in wholesome actions that bring peace and happiness to oneself and others. The key to achieving this is by subduing and taming the mind, by protecting it from negative emotions such as self-cherishing, anger, jealousy, and pride. A selfish mind will not lead to happiness and success in life, but rather it will cause problems and make enemies everywhere. Protecting the mind and cultivating positive emotions is essential to living a fulfilling and happy life. A good way of benefiting oneself is to practice bodhichitta. Rinpoche uses the example...2024-12-271h 02
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings02 The Need for Wisdom and Compassion - PART 3; 3-Jun-2006Lama Zopa Rinpoche discusses the significance of engaging in wholesome actions that bring peace and happiness to oneself and others. The key to achieving this is by subduing and taming the mind, by protecting it from negative emotions such as self-cherishing, anger, jealousy, and pride. A selfish mind will not lead to happiness and success in life, but rather it will cause problems and make enemies everywhere. Protecting the mind and cultivating positive emotions is essential to living a fulfilling and happy life. A good way of benefiting oneself is to practice bodhichitta. Rinpoche uses the example...2024-12-201h 10Lama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveEverything Comes From The MindThrough this way of meditating, you begin to realize it’s not the object that is disturbing. It’s your mind; it’s your concept. Your mind is making you unhappy; your mind is disturbing you.
-Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains how everything we experience comes from the mind. These teachings were given during the Thirty-third Kopan meditation course held at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, 2000. Read along with the transcript on the LYWA website.
2024-12-1916 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings01 The Need for Wisdom and Compassion - PART 1 and 2; 3-June-2006Lama Zopa Rinpoche discusses the significance of engaging in wholesome actions that bring peace and happiness to oneself and others. The key to achieving this is by subduing and taming the mind, by protecting it from negative emotions such as self-cherishing, anger, jealousy, and pride. A selfish mind will not lead to happiness and success in life, but rather it will cause problems and make enemies everywhere. Protecting the mind and cultivating positive emotions is essential to living a fulfilling and happy life. A good way of benefiting oneself is to practice bodhichitta. Rinpoche uses the example...2024-12-132h 09
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings04 Why We Need a Spiritual Path - PART4 2-Jun-2006Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave this teaching at Tara Institute, Melbourne on June 2, 2006. In this first part Lama Zopa Rinpoche touched on the topics such as emptiness according to Svatantrika view, the unification of emptiness and dependent arising and searching for real I. He recounted the history of how Lama Atisha came to Tibet and how to integrate three levels of teachings. You can see all the teachings from this event here: https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/lama-zopa-rinpoche-teachings-in-tara-institute-2006/2024-12-0629 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings19 The Eight Freedoms And Ten Richnesses 17-Apr-2004Lama Zopa Rinpoche says that if you are only seeking the happiness of this life, then you haven’t reached any of the three capacities of the lamrim. The attitude of just seeking the power, reputation, and wealth of this life is an ordinary capable being, not a special capable being. This is not different from the animals and insects. Rinpoche emphasizes that the meditations for the graduate path of the lower capable being (the eight freedoms and ten richnesses, the great meaning and difficulty to find again, impermanence and death, the lower realm sufferings, karma) are ve...2024-12-052h 39
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings03 Why We Need a Spiritual Path - PART3 2-Jun-2006Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave this teaching at Tara Institute, Melbourne on June 2, 2006. In this first part Lama Zopa Rinpoche touched on the topics such as emptiness according to Svatantrika view, the unification of emptiness and dependent arising and searching for real I. He recounted the history of how Lama Atisha came to Tibet and how to integrate three levels of teachings. You can see all the teachings from this event here: https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/lama-zopa-rinpoche-teachings-in-tara-institute-2006/2024-11-2957 minLama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveListening Like the Limitless SkyEven if you find it very hard to understand the teachings on emptiness, you will leave positive imprints on the mind and remove the imprints of delusion. The benefits you receive just by listening is like the limitless sky.
-Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Lama Zopa Rinpoche elaborates on the emptiness of the I, then gives oral transmission of the Heart Sutra and partial transmission of the Diamond Cutter Sutra. These teachings were given by Rinpoche on Lhabab Duchen during the Thirty-third Kopan Meditation Course, held at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, in 2000. You can follow along with the t...2024-11-2543 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings02 Why We Need a Spiritual Path - PART2 2-Jun-2006Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave this teaching at Tara Institute, Melbourne on June 2, 2006. In this first part Lama Zopa Rinpoche touched on the topics such as emptiness according to Svatantrika view, the unification of emptiness and dependent arising and searching for real I. He recounted the history of how Lama Atisha came to Tibet and how to integrate three levels of teachings. You can see all the teachings from this event here: https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/lama-zopa-rinpoche-teachings-in-tara-institute-2006/2024-11-221h 07
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings01 Why We Need a Spiritual Path - PART1 2-Jun-2006Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave this teaching at Tara Institute, Melbourne on June 2, 2006. In this first part Lama Zopa Rinpoche touched on the topics such as emptiness according to Svatantrika view, the unification of emptiness and dependent arising and searching for real I. He recounted the history of how Lama Atisha came to Tibet and how to integrate three levels of teachings. You can see all the teachings from this event here: https://fpmt.org/media/streaming/teachings-of-lama-zopa-rinpoche/lama-zopa-rinpoche-teachings-in-tara-institute-2006/2024-11-151h 05Lama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveUsing Everything to Practice MindfulnessBecause you look at everything as empty, the strong selfish mind, the ego, doesn’t arise. When you think like this, it makes your life stable, filled with peace, happiness, contentment; it brings so much benefit.
-Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains how to practice mindfulness as we go through our day, and offers advice on daily practice. These teachings were given by Rinpoche at the Thirty-third Kopan Meditation Course, held at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, in 2000. Listen along with the transcript on our website.
2024-10-2823 minLama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveRelying on the BuddhaBecause we rely on the methods revealed by Buddha – the path to liberation and enlightenment – we naturally take refuge in the Buddha.
– Lama Zopa Rinpoche
Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains why we take refuge in the Buddha. Rinpoche then chants a prayer asking for blessings of the lineage lamas, followed by recitation of The Foundation of All Good Qualities, a lamrim prayer by Lama Tsongkhapa. These teachings were given by Rinpoche at the Thirty-third Kopan Meditation Course, held at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, in 2000. You can follow along with the transcript on our website.
2024-09-2420 minLama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveChange Your Attitude, Change Your ActionThe ego, this self-cherishing thought, the ego is much more harmful than all the atomic bombs that are in the world because atomic bomb even if it explodes, if you have bodhichitta it doesn’t cause you to be reborn in the hell realm, lower realm. -Lama Zopa Rinpoche Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains how Shakyamuni Buddha … Continue reading Change Your Attitude, Change Your Action →2024-08-2714 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings23 Purifying Negative Karma, Cultivating a Positive Mind, and the Power of Mantras 10-May-2003Lama Zopa Rinpoche talks about purifying negative karma in two ways. Firstly, through the power of regretting negative actions, as that helps purify our negative karma and defilements. This regret should focus on acknowledging and repenting the negative actions, rather than regretting positive actions. Secondly, viewing negative actions as empty, recognizing that they lack inherent existence and are merely labelled by the mind. This realization aids in purifying negative karma by revealing the illusory nature of these actions.The Western perception of regret as negative arises from a lack of understanding of Dharma. In reality, regretting negative...2024-08-095h 48
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings22 The Power of Bodhichitta: Compassion Unleashed 09-May-2003Just as a bank multiplies your money, bodhichitta multiplies your merit, and not just by a little, but by leaps and bounds! With each thought of benefiting others, your merit becomes limitless because the number of beings you wish to help is also boundless. Even the slightest intention to heal the headaches of sentient beings accumulates inconceivable merit. But when you actively strive to eliminate their suffering and bring them happiness, the merit skyrockets—like hitting the jackpot! Reciting the Twenty-one Tara praises with bodhichitta is equivalent to reciting them a hundred thousand times while offering a single butter la...2024-08-022h 43
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings21 Facing Illness and Death 08-May-2003We should be motivated beyond personal interests and aspire to enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. Wisdom is crucial to discern the best ways to help others. Self-cherishing and wrong views are the root of suffering; cultivating the correct view can lead to positive changes in our thoughts and actions.Recognizing the interdependence of those involved in end-of-life situations is essential. Communication within families is vital to address responsibilities and roles that may change as a loved one nears the end. Respect for the beliefs and values of the dying person is crucial, focusing on...2024-07-263h 41
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings20 Guiding the Next Generation towards Enlightenment 07-May-2003When used at the time of death, light offerings are believed to prevent spirits from entering and possessing the corpse. Before making light offerings, it is important to generate the motivation of bodhichitta, thinking that the purpose of one's life is to free all sentient beings from suffering and bring them to enlightenment. Each light offered accumulates limitless merit by visualizing the root guru and reciting the appropriate mantras.Rinpoche emphasizes the importance of Dharma wisdom in guiding one's life and the lives of others. Lack of this wisdom can lead to wrong decisions and non-virtuous actions...2024-07-193h 26
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings19 Heart Spoon: Reflections on Impermanence and Death 06-May-2003While reciting and explaining Pabongka Rinpoche's ‘Heart-Spoon’, Lama Zopa Rinpoche discusses the importance of reflecting on impermanence and death. Neglecting to contemplate these realities deprives our lives of meaning. Even though many of us have encountered Buddhadharma for a long time, we lack an understanding of foundational concepts and fail to achieve realizations in our spiritual practice.Dharma protects us from suffering by preventing the creation of negative thoughts and actions. Rinpoche emphasizes the significance of guru devotion as a safeguard against harmful emotions and obstacles on the path to enlightenment. By contemplating impermanence and death, negative emot...2024-07-123h 48
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings18 Supporting the Dying 06-May-2003Lama Zopa Rinpoche discusses a book about the traditional Tibetan procedures for handling death. The book covers various aspects such as what to do at the time of death, how to transfer consciousness to a pure land, making offerings to lamas, and conducting astrological rituals. It also outlines the procedures for taking the body out, making offerings to monasteries, and caring for the deceased during the first few weeks and up to the 49th day. Even if someone is unable to recite prayers during their final moments, others can recite on their behalf while they meditate. It is important...2024-07-054h 10Lama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveWhere to Find HappinessHappiness comes from a positive attitude and action motivated by that. -Lama Zopa Rinpoche This month on the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive podcast, Lama Zopa Rinpoche answers a student’s question about the relationship between the mind and the heart when practicing bodhichitta, how to be authentic in the practice of compassion, and where to locate … Continue reading Where to Find Happiness →2024-06-2635 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings16 Helping Sentient Beings as the Highest Offering 03-May-2003Without the kindness of sentient beings, we cannot achieve realizations or practice the Dharma. Lama Zopa Rinpoche emphasizes the significance of respecting and valuing sentient beings, just as one respects and values the Buddha. One accumulates immeasurable merit by cultivating bodhicitta and offering charity with deep respect.True poverty lies in the lack of understanding of Dharma and realization, and inner poverty, characterized by a lack of satisfaction and contentment, is even more detrimental. Helping sentient beings, regardless of their external circumstances, offers the most valuable assistance. Buddhas and bodhisattvas cherish sentient beings above all else, regardless...2024-06-213h 51
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings15 Living Ethically, Dying Peacefully 02-May-2003Lama Zopa Rinpoche talks about the lack of formal education on dying in Western society and the need for a broader cultural understanding of assisting the dying. Everyone will encounter death and should learn how to offer support, regardless of whether they are a family member, friend, or even an enemy.There are several essential practices for preparing for death, including devotion to a virtuous friend or guru, purifying mistakes and broken commitments, and cultivating the five powers in daily life, particularly bodhichitta and selflessness. A strong foundation of renunciation and bodhichitta is necessary in order for...2024-06-143h 20Lama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveOur Practice Is Like A SeedThe meditation practice is like the seed. The actual body of meditation, the practice, that is like the seed and purifying the hindrances and the accumulation of merit are like the soil and water. -Lama Zopa Rinpoche Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains why we must prepare the ground of our mind with merit accumulation and karmic … Continue reading Our Practice Is Like A Seed →2024-05-2807 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings12 Embracing Guru Puja for Spiritual Progress 29-Apr-2003Guru Puja (Lama Chöpa) encompasses the essence of both sutra and tantra. This practice is the quickest way to achieve enlightenment. Lama Zopa Rinpoche recommends studying His Holiness the Dalai Lama's commentary on Guru Puja, which provides a clear and effective explanation of this essential practice.Taking vows, specifically the bodhisattva vow and tantric vows, helps eliminate obstacles and create conducive conditions for spiritual progress. While many people recite prayers and perform various practices, it is crucial to target the root of suffering, which is the delusions and, especially, the self-cherishing thought. All practices should aim t...2024-05-243h 28
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings11 Transformation Through Mantras, Holy Objects, and Moral Conduct 27-Apr-2003There is great positive transformation through the power of mantras, holy objects, and moral conduct. This power comes from the compassion of Buddha, who provided these methods for sentient beings to purify negative karma, accumulate merit, and progress on the path to enlightenment quickly. The more we understand the suffering of samsara, the more we can appreciate the kindness of Buddha in offering such methods for liberation.Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains the power and benefits of various mantras, their ability to purify negative karma and lead beings towards enlightenment and the power of holy objects like statues...2024-05-173h 15
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings10 Khunu Lama Rinpoche and Taming the Mind 25-Apr-2003The great bodhisattva Khunu Lama Rinpoche, a profound scholar and yogi had extensive knowledge of Buddhist scriptures and teachings. His Holiness the Dalai Lama received extensive commentary on the Bodhicharyavatara from him. Lama Zopa Rinpoche attributes the origins of FPMT chanting practices to Khunu Lama Rinpoche.Khunu Lama Rinpoche's teachings became widely known, with people seeking blessings from him. His teachings for the monks at Kopan Monastery emphasized the need to tame their minds and the importance of lam-rim teachings in this process.All teachings in Buddhism are meant to help us actualize wisdom, and...2024-05-104h 14
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings09 Chenrezig Sadhana Commentary 24-Apr-2003We can precede the Chenrezig visualization by calming techniques and breathing exercises, reciting prayers and reflecting on the kindness of Guru Shakyamuni Buddha. Buddha made immense sacrifices for the benefit of all sentient beings, practicing morality, charity, perseverance, concentration, and wisdom for three countless great eons. Integrating Lam Rim meditation with deity meditation and mantra recitation can make the practice more powerful. Chanting serves as a form of meditation, giving us time to reflect and meditate on the teachings and carries blessings from enlightened beings and supports the arising of devotion, renunciation, compassion, and bodhicitta....2024-05-033h 10Lama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveThe Loving Compassionate Precious Thought for EnlightenmentEven giving just one single tiny grain of rice to one single sentient being will accumulate infinite merit when you are motivated to give by the precious wish to attain enlightenment to benefit numberless sentient beings. -Lama Zopa Rinpoche Lama Zopa Rinpoche discusses the power and importance of the precious bodhicitta during teachings on Geshe … Continue reading The Loving Compassionate Precious Thought for Enlightenment →2024-04-2939 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings08 Breaking the Cycle of Samsara: Eight Mahayana Precepts and Chenrezig Sadhana 24-Apr-2003Our current bodies carry the seeds of disturbing thoughts and defilements, and they perpetuate samsara. The continuity of these aggregates, including consciousness, never breaks, constantly circling from one life to the next. The general suffering of samsara includes the impermanence of everything, the unsatisfactory nature of desires, and the inevitability of leaving our bodies behind.Sentient beings have never experienced even a moment of true happiness in samsara because even samsaric pleasures are suffering. The overwhelming suffering experienced in samsara is due to misconceptions about the self and the attachment to impermanent and contaminated phenomena. These misconceptions...2024-04-262h 50
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings07 Integrating Wisdom and Compassion into Daily Experience 23-Apr-2003Everything we perceive, from objects to colours, is a result of the mind labelling and imputing meanings onto them. By recognizing the imputed nature of phenomena and the contradiction between appearance and reality, we can prevent the mind from solidifying mistaken beliefs and contributing to delusion, attachment, and other negative emotions. By focusing on wisdom and understanding the ultimate nature of things we can overcome the ignorance that perpetuates delusions and cultivate a more peaceful and compassionate mind. We should consistently cultivate the motivation to benefit others, similar to a loving mother caring for her child. This...2024-04-193h 58
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings06 Exploring Emptiness 22-Apr-2003The teachings of the Buddha provide a universal and fundamental path for liberation from suffering, which encompasses engaging in wholesome actions while refraining from unwholesome ones, subduing the mind, and following the Four Noble Truths.While these teachings might seem peculiar to those unfamiliar, they are universal truths. Understanding karma reveals that positive actions and virtuous thoughts lead to happiness, while negative actions and thoughts result in suffering. Just as doctors diagnose sickness and its origins, the Dharma identifies the causes of suffering and its remedy, making it universal.Transforming the mind through wisdom and...2024-04-122h 02
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings05 Enlightenment through Compassion 21-Apr-2003Lama Zopa Rinpoche discusses the importance of helping young people and the concept of universal education as a means to achieve this goal. He expresses a sense of urgency for universal education, as he believes there is a need for a method that can bring peace to individuals and the world, regardless of their religious background.Rinpoche envisions an organization that focuses on youth and promotes universal education, aiming to cultivate good hearts and inspire young individuals to become compassionate and peace-loving beings who positively impact the world. By fostering compassion, wisdom, and good conduct, individuals can...2024-04-051h 47
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings04 Chenrezig and Gelongma Palmo: Beings of Compassion 20-Apr-2003Lama Zopa Rinpoche pays homage to Chenrezig (The Compassion Buddha) and Gelongma Palmo, a fully ordained nun who embodied the qualities of the three-time buddhas and had a deep understanding of the past, present, and future. In a blissful realm, a unique lotus was discovered, and the holy child, Chenrezig, was found inside. Chenrezig made a vow to lead all beings to enlightenment and emitted beams from his holy body, liberating beings in the six realms. However, feeling overwhelmed by the suffering of sentient beings, Chenrezig's commitment wavered, causing his holy body to crack. Amitabha Buddha descended...2024-03-292h 20Lama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveHow We Name the WorldEvery single phenomena is like that. There’s merely gathered, the base to be labeled, then due to that, then mere imputation, then only after that, then you have that appearance. -Lama Zopa Rinpoche In these teachings by Lama Zopa Rinpoche given during a lamrim retreat held at Vajrapani Institute in Boulder Creek, California, from August … Continue reading How We Name the World →2024-03-2833 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings03 Meditating on the Emptiness in Sound 20-Apr-2003Lama Zopa Rinpoche discusses a meditation practice focused on the sound of rain, suggesting two meditations: one on the conventional truth of the rain and the other on the emptiness of the rain. The meditation involves analyzing how the sound of rain appears to one's mind, questioning whether the sound is merely labelled by the mind or if it appears to exist independently from its own side. The correct view, according to the Prasangika school, is that the sound is merely imputed by the mind on the base of the sense of the ear. Meditate on the...2024-03-221h 04
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings02 Doing This Retreat is to Repay the Kindness of His Holiness the Dalai Lama 19-Apr-2003Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains how to think well about why we are doing this retreat; about how to make the retreat most beneficial. Many of us received the permission to practice the four Kadampa deities from HIs Holiness the Dalai Lama, and so doing this retreat well with lam-rim meditation, trying to develop our minds in the path to enlightenment, is to repay His Holiness’s kindness. Rinpoche also dedicates the retreat that the political leaders in mainland China come to recognize that His Holiness is the Buddha of Compassion and give Tibet back to the Tibetan people, for pe...2024-03-151h 09Lama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveChanting the Names of Noble ManjushriManjushri bodhisattva is the highest manifestation of being, the embodiment of all knowledge. -Lama Zopa Rinpoche The Ārya-mañjuśrī-nāma-saṅgīti (Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri) consists of 160 verses and mantra sentences, condensing an enormous tantric lore. Listen to Lama Zopa Rinpoche reciting the Ārya-mañjuśrī-nāma-saṅgīti in Tibetan. Rinpoche recorded this recitation in 2006, and asked for the … Continue reading Chanting the Names of Noble Manjushri →2023-10-2418 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsRefuge CeremonyLama Zopa Rinpoche began a refuge ceremony on December 25, 2022 from the fifty-third lamrim meditation course at Kopan Monastery by explaining the importance of relying on Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. By protecting our karma we are able to be free from samsara.Before the refuge ceremony begins (at 13:33), Rinpoche explained the Lesser Vehicle refuge and also Mahayana refuge and shared the motivation for taking refuge.While guiding those in attendance in prostrations, Rinpoche discussed the significance of holding one’s hands in the mudra of prostration at the crown of the head, throat, and heart, explaining th...2023-03-141h 56
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsRinpoche Concludes the Oral Transmission of Essential NectarLama Zopa Rinpoche offered the complete oral transmission (lung) of The Essential Nectar of Holy Doctrine, also known as the Essence of Nectar, one of the eighteen great lamrim texts by Yeshe Tsondro. It was given over two teachings from the fifty-third lamrim meditation course at Kopan Monastery on December 22 and 23, 2022. This recording is the second teaching from December 23.This is one of the most important texts for anyone sincerely studying the lamrim or who receives lamrim preliminaries from Rinpoche. All are welcome to take this oral transmission from the videos and receive it. As...2023-03-023h 39
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsRinpoche Begins the Oral Transmission of Essential NectarLama Zopa Rinpoche offered the complete oral transmission (lung) of The Essential Nectar of Holy Doctrine, also known as the Essence of Nectar, one of the eighteen great lamrim texts by Yeshe Tsondro. It was given over two teachings from the fifty-third lamrim meditation course at Kopan Monastery on December 22 and 23, 2022. This recording is the first teaching from December 22.This is one of the most important texts for anyone sincerely studying the lamrim or who receives lamrim preliminaries from Rinpoche. All are welcome to take this oral transmission from the videos and receive it. As...2023-02-193h 48
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsThe Benefits of Experiencing Suffering - Teaching #136Lama Zopa Rinpoche continued his video teachings on thought transformation from Amitabha Buddhist Centre in Singapore in August and September. Here is a summary of the teaching offered on September 10, 2022:During Rinpoche's September 3 teaching (#134: In Your Life as a Couple, Practice Good Heart), Rinpoche offered the oral transmission for Lama Tsongkhapa's Utilizing Suffering in the Path to Enlightenment. Rinpoche began giving commentary on this important thought transformation text in the September 7 teaching (#135: The Great Difference Between Taking and Not Taking Vows). In this latest teaching from September 10, Rinpoche continues the commentary on Utilizing Suffering in th...2022-10-113h 13
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsThe Great Difference Between Taking and Not Taking Vows - Teaching #135Lama Zopa Rinpoche continued his video teachings on thought transformation from Amitabha Buddhist Centre in Singapore in August and September. Here is a summary of the teaching offered on September 7, 2022:The most important Dharma, Rinpoche teaches us, is compassion. If you are becoming kinder and more compassionate, this means you are practicing Dharma.Rinpoche discusses the importance of taking vows. Our virtue is much more extensive after having taken vows than if we have not taken any. This is also true for the non-virtues: it is heavier negative karma for someone ordained to commit a...2022-10-072h 20
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsHow to Make Your Life Happy - Teaching #133Lama Zopa Rinpoche continued his video teachings on thought transformation from Amitabha Buddhist Centre in Singapore in August. Here is a summary of the teaching offered on August 16, 2022:Rinpoche offers some of the history of how he began teaching courses at Kopan Monastery in Nepal and how the FPMT organization began (starting at 28:12).Real happiness comes from a good heart, Rinpoche reminds us, not come from the outside. Using the example of Milarepa, who externally had nothing but had incredible realizations and inner peace and happiness, we can see that happiness comes from the mind...2022-09-213h 04
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsThe Foundation of Thought Transformation Is to Understand the Kindness of Sentient Beings - Teaching #128Lama Zopa Rinpoche continues his video teachings on thought transformation. Here is a summary of a teaching given on June 26 from Kopan Monastery, Nepal, at the request of Telo Tulku Rinpoche, Ganden Tendar Ling FPMT Buddhist Center, Aryadeva FPMT Study Group, and the Save Tibet Foundation in Russia. The first kindness of sentient beings is that they are the source of all past, present, and future happiness including enlightenment, Lama Zopa Rinpoche reminds us. They are from whom we receive Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha and in whom we take refuge. A buddha comes from a bodhisattva. A b...2022-07-282h 10
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsYour Main Practice in Life Should Be Cherishing Others - Teaching #126Lama Zopa Rinpoche continues his video teachings on thought transformation from Kopan Monastery in Nepal, offered to students from China and Malaysia via Zoom on June 13.All of the 84,000 teachings of Buddha are included in the advice to not harm sentient beings and to benefit them, Rinpoche explains. If we harm sentient beings, we can’t benefit them. All of the suffering we experience ourselves, as well as the suffering we cause others to experience, is caused by our self-cherishing thought. Our worst enemy is...2022-07-212h 34
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsHaving Taken Refuge, What to Abandon and What to Practice - Teaching #124Rinpoche offered this teaching, recorded on June 11, 2022, at Kopan Monastery in Nepal for a group of students in China and Malaysia. Numberless buddhas of the past, present, and future can see our suffering and that we need happiness, Rinpoche explains. They want to help, they want to guide us. However, from our side, if we don’t rely on them by going for refuge, all of their power together cannot guard us, cannot save us, cannot keep us from the lower realms. Therefore, take refuge in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha so we don’t cheat ourselves. The reas...2022-07-191h 36Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsThe Real Refuge Is Your Wisdom Realizing the Ultimate NatureThis podcast is from a teaching that Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave about Buddhist refuge for the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of Human Spirit, an Israel-based Buddhist-psychoanalytic training program over Zoom. Here’s a summary of Rinpoche’s teaching, which was offered on June 8, 2022, from Kopan Monastery in Nepal. All happiness and suffering come from the mind, not from the outside, Rinpoche reminds us. Since we want happiness and don't want suffering, the vast subject of the mind should be of utmost importance for us to investigate. To become healthy—both physically and mentally—we practice meditati...2022-07-121h 17Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsAbandoning Nonvirtue Is a Source of Happiness for YouLama Zopa Rinpoche gave this teaching to students attending the three-month Vajrasattva retreat at Kopan Monastery in Nepal on April 27, 2022. Here’s a summary of Rinpoche’s teaching. If you want to know the truth of the world, the truth of yourself, and if you want to be free from the oceans of samsaric suffering, then you have to know the root cause of suffering, Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains. You need to meet the correct teachings and that depends on merit. And you have to have faith and make correction prayers and dedications. Otherwise, it’s difficult. You co...2022-06-022h 18Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsBy Doing Vajrasattva, You Are Doing Exactly What You Need to Do“Your coming here to do Vajrasattva, wow, that’s really what you need,” Lama Zopa Rinpoche told the students attending the three-month Vajrasattva retreat at Kopan Monastery in Nepal on April 26, 2022. In this teaching, Rinpoche discusses how our ignorance leads to attachment and anger, which make us miserable. By attending courses, studying, and meditating, we can come to understand how our our minds hallucinate. The more we understand about emptiness and how things truly exist, the happier we become. In addition, developing our compassion and living in service to others gives us the greatest happiness.Rinpoc...2022-05-302h 01Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsWhy Buddhism Is So ImportantOur minds are wrapped up in hallucination, Lama Zopa Rinpoche says in this highly charged teaching recorded on March 30, 2022. Speaking to students attending the three-month Vajrasattva retreat at Kopan Monastery in Nepal, Rinpoche says we must use the wisdom of Buddha’s teachings to see the truth, to recognize all the hallucinations we are wrapped up in. The world has so much suffering due to this ignorance. So it is very important to understand how we hallucinate, Rinpoche explains. The teachings of the Buddha show us this, and that is why they are so important.At...2022-05-282h 05
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsTaking Refuge Is Not Merely Reciting Words Like a Robot - Teaching #123Lama Zopa Rinpoche continues teaching on refuge in this new video. Rinpoche explains how “taking refuge is not only reciting words." He offers the example of a robot, which does not have a mind and which only recites words without feeling. Rinpoche then talks about the many ways we can benefit numberless sentient beings by taking them around holy objects and having holy images and mantras for them to see and so forth. Rinpoche also reviews the different kindnesses of sentient beings. Rinpoche concludes the video, returning to the topic of refuge and explaining what taking refuge is. When yo...2021-11-071h 14
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsIt Is Good to Know About the Bön Religion - Teaching #122Lama Zopa Rinpoche continues his teachings on refuge from Kopan Monastery in Nepal. In this video Rinpoche reminds us that understanding the topic of refuge is so important because it can take a whole life of studying or even many lifetimes to understand it. Rinpoche offers commentary on Phabongkha Rinpoche’s teachings on refuge from Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand as discussed in “Day Twelve” of this famous twenty-four day teaching on the lamrim. Rinpoche emphasizes that the more you think about other religions, the more you become devoted to Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha; and if you...2021-11-061h 05
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsDon’t Think Taking Refuge Is Something Easy - Teaching #117Lama Zopa Rinpoche continues discussing refuge in this new video, reminding us that we must be careful about the objects in which we take refuge and making the point that it is best to go for refuge to Buddha. When you are dying, in order to not be born in the lower realms, to purify negative karma, to obtain a higher rebirth, Rinpoche says emphatically, "Rely on Buddha!" To free you from samsara, to achieve nirvana, ultimate happiness forever—"Rely on Buddha!" Buddha has all the power and qualities to guide you. Read more about his teaching here: https://fp...2021-10-111h 22
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsYou Go for Refuge to Buddha, Buddha Definitely Guides You - Teaching #116Lama Zopa Rinpoche discusses the importance of taking refuge in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha while we have this precious human rebirth; explains why Buddha can definitely guide you, especially if you go for refuge to Buddha; and reminds us that cherishing others most is the path of the bodhisattva. Read more about his teaching here: https://fpmt.org/lama-zopa-rinpoche-news-and-advice/advice-from-lama-zopa-rinpoche/if-you-go-for-refuge-to-buddha-buddha-definitely-guides-you/2021-10-071h 08
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachingsThere Is Nothing More Sublime Than Practicing the Higher Training of Morality - Teaching #112Lama Zopa Rinpoche continues offering teachings specifically intended for ordained Sangha, but everyone is welcome to benefit from Rinpoche's advice. He begins this video teaching, recorded on August 19, 2021, at Kopan Monastery in Nepal, by reminding us that we have received this perfect human rebirth with the freedom to practice Dharma qualified by the eight freedoms and ten richnesses. This rebirth is extremely rare and precious. Even having the first freedom of not being born in hell is most precious.It is important to understand your own samsaric suffering. If you don't, you can’t generate compassion for al...2021-09-011h 24
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings111 Being Sangha Is Not a TripLama Zopa Rinpoche begins this teaching, recorded on August 17, 2021, at Kopan Monastery in Nepal, by reminding us that while we are so fortunate to have received this rare and perfect human rebirth, which is qualified by the eight freedoms and ten richnesses, death can happen at any time, even before this teaching ends.Therefore, the real purpose of life is not just to achieve liberation from samsara for ourselves alone, but to never harm and only benefit all sentient beings by freeing them from the oceans of samsara, the total cessation of the gross and subtle obscurations...2021-08-3032 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings110 The Most Important Practice Is to Control Your MindLama Zopa Rinpoche begins this teaching, recorded on August 14, 2021, at Kopan Monastery in Nepal, by reminding us of how fortunate we are to wake up in the morning with a perfect human rebirth that is qualified by the eight freedoms and ten richnesses. The life we have is like a candle flame in the wind or a bubble in the water, and can be stopped at any time by death. Rinpoche references verse 55 from Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend.Last night many people went to bed, thinking they had another day to live, but their body be...2021-08-291h 05
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings109 Don’t Let Your Mind Go BerserkLama Zopa Rinpoche begins this teaching, recorded on August 11, 2021, at Kopan Monastery in Nepal, by reminding us that we are so fortunate to have received a precious and perfect human rebirth. While it is precious, it is also fragile and can be ended at any time with death. In this precious life we have received teachings on how we should not harm any sentient being, and not just the ones we love and like to help, but including those we don’t like such as mice, rats, spiders, cockroaches, and mosquitoes. When mosquitoes come near your ears you become ve...2021-08-281h 24
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings108 By the Force of Habituation, You Uncontrollably Engage in Nonvirtue AgainLama Zopa Rinpoche continues his teachings for ordained Sangha, which are open to all who wish to benefit from his advice. He explains in this video, recorded on August 10, 2021, at Kopan Monastery in Nepal, that trying on being Sangha, like trying different foods hoping they bring you happiness, is not being real Sangha. You can enjoy wearing the robes and trying them on, but if it is just like a trip, your mind is not Sangha. If your mind is messy and not healthy, you easily give up your liberation and enlightenment. Rinpoche then reminds us of...2021-08-211h 29
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings107 Being Attached to Sex Has Not Freed You from the Oceans of Samsaric SufferingsLama Zopa Rinpoche begins this video, recorded on August 6, 2021, at Kopan Monastery, reminding listeners that while this teaching is being given specifically for ordained Sangha, anyone is welcome to take the advice offered. If you haven’t spent your life with a good heart and a positive mind, Rinpoche warns, and instead spend your life trying this and that until life finishes, then you will go to the lower realms. There are many wrong views available to you in this life. You have to check the quality of these views carefully, the same way you ch...2021-08-171h 29
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings106 A Zillion Thanks to the Sangha for Reciting Manis During the PandemicLama Zopa Rinpoche begins this teaching, recorded on July 31, 2021, at Kopan Monastery in Nepal, by referencing this quote by Thogme Sango in Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva:All sufferings come from desiring happiness for oneself.Full enlightenment comes from the thought of benefitting others.Therefore, exchanging one’s own happiness for the suffering of othersIs the practice of bodhisattvas. Rinpoche gives commentary on this passage and explains that all undesirable things, all the sufferings we experience, come from desiring happiness for oneself. Therefore, exchanging one’s own...2021-08-161h 14
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings104 Renounce the Thought Seeing Samsara as a Beautiful ParkLama Zopa Rinpoche begins this teaching, recorded on July 25, 2021, at Kopan Monastery in Nepal, by reminding us that the perfect human rebirth doesn’t last long. This body is like a machine—breathing in and out—and can stop at any time. Why does the body keep working? Karma. How long the breath lasts is also due to karma. It can stop at any time, we have to remember this. Some students have even died while using the bathroom. It can happen at any time, and when you don’t expect it, so while you are still breathing, make your lif...2021-08-1436 min
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings103 Practicing Morality Is Easy When You Know Real Pleasure Is a HallucinationLama Zopa Rinpoche begins this teaching, recorded on July 22, 2021, at Kopan Monastery in Nepal, by reminding us of the motivation he established last session, particularly for the Sangha. He emphasized requesting the guru for blessings to be able to generate a strong wish to be liberated from samsara, quoting verse 87 of Lama Chopa. Rinpoche adds that for this teaching’s motivation, we can look to verse 88 from Lama Chopa:Having renounced the thought seeing samsara,Which is difficult to bear like being in prison, as a beautiful park,Please bless me to hold th...2021-08-131h 18
Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings102 The Higher Training of Morality Is the Foundation for Helping Sentient BeingsLama Zopa Rinpoche begins this teaching, recorded on July 20, 2021 at Kopan Monastery in Nepal, discussing two important and powerful holy objects.First, Rinpoche discussed the three-story Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) statue being built in Maratika, Nepal, to pacify war, famine, and disease—and, of course, for all the six-realm sentient beings, who have been suffering from beginningless rebirths, to be free from samsara and achieve enlightenment.Then, Rinpoche discusses the Maitreya Buddha statue being built in Bodhgaya, India, on the land offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This statue is also being built to pacify wa...2021-07-2854 minLama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveImagine the Power of BodhicittaThe incredible, unbelievable, most unbelievable, no words, how most important to generate bodhicitta, can you imagine? -Lama Zopa Rinpoche Lama Zopa Rinpoche celebrates the power of bodhicitta during teachings given by Rinpoche at the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive home office in October 2012. Rinpoche was in town to attend the visit of His Holiness the … Continue reading Imagine the Power of Bodhicitta →2012-10-1311 minLama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveMaking Your Mind VajrayanaSo whatever happens, whatever is happening around, around you, your heart has peace. Lama Zopa Rinpoche In this month’s podcast, Lama Zopa Rinpoche leads us in the vajra practice of Chenrezig. Rinpoche begins by chanting Om Mani Padme Hum slowly and powerfully. Within that resonance Rinpoche teaches on how to maintain the vajra visualization of … Continue reading Making Your Mind Vajrayana →2009-06-1046 minLama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveLama Zopa Rinpoche: Dharma in Daily LifeWhen you look at people, when you relate with them, if you look at their mind and how their life is motivated, you can see how much they’re suffering and you feel unbearable. Lama Zopa Rinpoche Please enjoy another extract from a series of teachings prior to a chöd initiation given by Kyabje Lama Zopa … Continue reading Dharma in Daily Life →2009-06-0138 minLama Yeshe Wisdom ArchiveThe Power of Positive AttitudeWhen we protect our mind, we protect our life. Lama Zopa Rinpoche These teachings were given in June 2008 at the White Eagle Conference Center in Crestone, Colorado. Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains that when we practice a positive attitude, the good heart, we cause ourselves and everyone around us to be happy and healthy. Rinpoche … Continue reading The Power of Positive Attitude →2008-06-0137 min