KOPAN MONASTERY

THE MEDITATION COURSE (continued)

The concept of reincarnation is the essence of Buddhist teachings. If one lives a good life one will enjoy good karma and thus have a good rebirth. It is good karma to find a perfectly qualified lama and it is even better karma to be accepted as His student. Thus I consider myself very blessed that Rinpoche has taken me under his care.

This is because we believe that it is only with the help of a perfectly qualified lama that one can enhance one chances of gaining another human rebirth, and more importantly, get started on the path to liberation and ultimate enlightenment.

Liberation in a Buddhist context refers to liberation from the cycle of births and rebirths, which we believe all living beings, have to go through. Contrary to popular belief, being reborn a human is not something that is sure to happen. Indeed, the human rebirth is regarded as most precious. The chances of continuing to be reborn in the human realm is said to be even less likely than a turtle rising to the surface of the sea and putting its head round a circular disk that happens to be floating in the sea.

The human realm is one of 6 realms of possible rebirths. The other five are the God realm, the animal realm and three hell realms where there is tremendous and continuos physical suffering.

In the past two and a half years since meeting Rinpoche I have been following him as He keeps to a hectic schedule of teachings that take him all over the world, snatching time in between my own busy program of travel and talks.

The idea for this website is thus to share some of Rinpoche’s vast and profound teachings, His words of wisdom, with as many people as possible through the Internet, and as Rinpoche says at least leave an imprint.

When your karma ripens you too will meet your teacher.

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