As we advance on the path, the practice of ethics
becomes more and more important. As explained already ethics is not a
set of external rules but it has its base in being vigilant in the
need to always keep a watchful eye on what we do. Having understood
this about karma, we might be afraid of falling down. What if we are
unable to perceive the negative character of an action and think
instead that it was positive? The ten negative actions involving the
three categories of body, speech, and mind are a useful
guide:
Mind: envy, malevolence, wrong
views
Speech: lying, slander, callousness, idle talk
(e.g. about the faults of others)
Body: killing, stealing (taking what is not
given), harming beings sexually
We have a tendency to go and ask a lama, "Is this
good or not?" If we look closely enough and we are honest, we really
do not need to ask. Ethics will steer us into looking at things as
they really are, that is, to do "good." We can use our own
understanding and can refer to external rules if sometimes we are not
sure. On the surface, ethics do not seem very important, but the
consequences can be grave. Small actions, positive or negative, can
bring big, unpredictable results. We are responsible for our actions
and do not want to take for granted the little things that we can do.
We can protect even the smallest life. Our generosity will open us to
the ten positive actions. We can deter someone from committing wrong.
We can strive to perform small positive things and refrain from small
negative actions, ever aware that all actions will bring results. By
acting in a positive way, we diminish the agitation of our minds. This
in turn will facilitate more positive actions leading to more peace of
mind. Everything is of consequence, be it positive or negative, and we
have to encourage ourselves to do what is positive.
We can see that the spiritual path is pervasive
in all aspects of our lives. There is not one period of time for
practice, and another when we are not in practice. It is essential to
be aware of how we communicate with others. If possible, with
awareness we can try to be kind. We can practice the two
accumulations: performing positive actions that lead to good results
and having lucidity of mind with ever-present awareness. The latter
requires our vigilance all the time. Both accumulations are important
and are interrelated. If we find ourselves more engaged in one
accumulation, we can expand our time and energy in the
other.
There are two qualities relative to the spiritual
path that transcend the rationale of ordinary life, faith, and
confidence; both are beyond intellectual understanding. We can speak
of ethics, perseverance, and other qualities. We need to go beyond the
confines of our ordinary perception and reasoning, which is only
possible if we have a proper foundation. Our practice will not work if
we do not have a solid grounding in ethics. Only then can we try to
enter a formal spiritual practice. We need to develop the aspiration
to achieve enlightenment. We begin our practice with simple and
ordinary experiences that are readily available and easily understood
directly in our everyday life. Our practice can take us to higher
levels. To explain what we mean by going beyond the ordinary level, we
use the example of bodhicitta and our good wishes for all beings. Even
though it cannot be explained in words, the power of making wishes to
benefit all beings can and will bring about strength in our mind that
can purify negativity and make use of the power of wisdom. Although
this cannot be explained in ordinary terms, it can be experienced.
What is necessary is the accumulation of positive actions in order to
transcend the existing boundaries. At that point we can perceive what
seems otherwise irrational and can truly understand that we can only
be happy by caring for the welfare of others.
Through our formal practice, our understanding
will become deeper and sharper. We will understand emptiness, not to
be misunderstood as nothingness, that is the nature of all things. We
will understand why the practice of yidam (3) can be so effective, how
the purification practice works, and why we need a lama. We can go
beyond the rational through rational logic and meditation. We will
gradually grasp the meaning of the 'developing phase' and 'completion
phase' of the practice and how the different phases of the practice
are useful. We will gradually understand why some practices are long
while others are short. It is necessary to venture forward and
investigate for ourselves. The practice works, yet the explanation
lies beyond logic. Gradually, we will go farther and farther. This is
what we mean by the "understanding of the practice." Of course, our
formal practice and daily life are not on the same level, but are of
the same path.
To become architects of our own lives, we have to
stand on a proper base. The base is essential for our daily life while
integrating all the aspects of practice to reach enlightenment. The
base also serves to provide comfort and peace of mind while we are on
the spiritual path. With a solid foundation, everything is possible.
Without it, nothing is possible.
Tathagatha refers to the essence of the
Buddha.
2 Paramita - the perfection that leads to
enlightenment. The six paramitas are: generosity, discipline,
patience, diligence, concentration, and wisdom.
3 Yidam - An enlightened aspect of Buddha in the
form of a deity that helps a practitioner on his or her path to
enlightenment.
L a m a . J i g m e . R i n p o c
h e
