Audio recorded at Buddha House Adelaide. Transcript auto-generated and AI-corrected; may contain errors.
About this talk. In this two-hour teaching, Lama Zopa Rinpoche introduces the Ten Determinations from the Lamrim Duha, a bodhicitta practice designed primarily for ordained monastics and intensive retreatants. Working through determinations for different classes of sentient beings—hell beings, animals, humans, and others—he guides practitioners to recognize that beings are the source of one’s happiness, most kind, suffering especially in the lower realms, and therefore deserving of one’s full responsibility to bring them to enlightenment, beginning with one’s own achievement of enlightenment. Though the practice makes demanding commitments, Rinpoche notes that even those unable to practice fully now benefit from recitation, which plants seeds for future realization. The teaching concludes with a Medicine Buddha puja and extended dedications of merit for the sick, dying, and deceased.
File metadata (for organising)
File: 100 2004 04 29 MR.mp3
UUID: c1d77406-b909-4306-a5c8-da181b39e2ad
Teacher: Lama Zopa Rinpoche 1
Collection: y Mahāmudrā International Retreat (Lama Zopa Rinpoche 1)
Date: 2004-04-29
Recorded at: Buddha House Adelaide
Duration: 121.8 minutes
Words: ~3,657
So in the Lamrim Duha text, if you turn to page one hundred and seven. One hundred and seven. This Ten Determinations, Kadampa Geshe, this is from great lama who teaches also Lamrim and those are thinking Mao also. But, you know, who teaches also Lambrim and who respect all the four traditions. Very inspiring.
It was a very, very inspiring life story and I don’t know, about ten or six, seven volumes of his teachings. So they’re quite not few quite a number of years ago, translate this in California. But this my main aim of this is of course, it’s not it’s not that a layperson cannot practice it. I’m not saying that but main aim is the for sangha. And particular, especially those who are doing a lifetime retreat, you know, yeah, those who are doing a lifetime retreat, things like that.
So because without this practice, you can’t really have really a great progress. So the reason to yes. This insert with the Lamrim Duha, the section of the Lamrim, the second stanza in a way after you finish second stanza talking about the precious human birth. You know? The one-time receipt.
Mhmm. Which is twelve hundred again? Then they said, easy to be this this will be quickly perished. So realizing that then without being spending in, meaningless life, meaningless as a activities of his life to make the life meaningful, asking for blessing for that. And so after that after that, then to read this.
So however however this is even though we are unable to practice like this, like the the ten the ten determinations, that which cuts which cuts the obstacles which cuts all the obstacles to practice Dharma, you know, to to have realization, which cuts all to practice Dharma and to have realization. Even though even though we are unable to practice mean, like this even though we are unable to practice like this. But residing this is at least to leave positive imprint. The purpose of the reciting is even one can’t do exactly like this now. The purpose of the signing is to leave positive imprint on the mind and even to think of this, even just to say the prayer and just to think of this as very, very good, very helpful, very good.
And especially when we have emotional problems, especially emotional problems and then then unable to practice Dharma unable to practice Dharma unable to practice Bodhicitta sincerely, unable to do pure Dharma practice. Even though doing sadhana’s prayers, all these things happening continue, but unable to do pure Dharma practice. So this is a know, even if we are unable to practice like this, it’s able at least to, you know, to leave positive imprint, positive seed in our mental continuum. At least to the other words, and it’s, you know, one understand and it becomes preparation for future, you know, for for that hope. So that’s Let’s see.
This is a question of practicing pure Dharma. See? So the, you know, making oneself making totally giving total freedom to oneself. That’s what it is. Even though, you know, difficult one’s a lot, know, able to think about it to at least to go over in a totally positive way.
So make preparation, you know, so that we can practice in the future, you see, to be able to like this. So basic, it’s not it’s not that person cannot practice. You know, that that completely, you know, say, anybody can be a Milarepa. Anybody can achieve Milarepa’s enlightenment. Okay?
Milarepa, anybody you see, this is what basic practice of Milarepa is. Yeah. So but it’s main aim is for the sangha. And especially, I mean, of course, it’s just not only a lot of people do a lifetime retreat in an isolated place. But this is, of course, is the best thing.
Of course, even somebody’s living in monastery or, I mean, in the city or either of course this. So this so this actually, this actually, this one is a paper. Actually, this is what it is. Another way of looking at it is it’s a it’s a it’s a very strong preparation for that. It’s a very preparation it’s very strong preparation for your, you know, for your death.
It’s what it is. So what it is here. So that. Purpose of my life is to create the numberless hell beings, liberate them from suffering and its causes, bring them to full enlightenment as quick as possible. The the source of all my past, present future, past, present, future, happiness, realization’s past, and enlightenment.
The most kind, the most precious one. They’re suffering. The in saṃsāra, the you know, particularly, hell beings. Experience the most to bring them to I’m I’m responsible, I have full responsibility to bring them to enlightenment as quick as possible. Therefore, then I must achieve enlightenment as quick as possible.
Then number seven was from whom I have received all my past, present, future. numberless past happiness, present, future happiness, realization, enlightenment, everything was most kind of most precious one in my life. And they’re experiencing the general suffering, particularly unimaginable suffering of the. I have full responsibility. It’s I have full responsibility to bring them to freedom from all suffering and causes and to enlightenment.
As good as possible. Then numberless animals from each of them. I receive all my numbers past and present and future happiness. Past, present, future happiness. Realization realization, enlightenment.
Realization, enlightenment. Who’s most precious, most kind of in my life? Who’s most precious, most kind one in my life. And then the other aspect is in it’s an inevitable. So the I can’t can’t stand even for not only our minute, but even second can’t can’t stand, you know, like even second is like suffering.
The suffering is like second like suffering, but even to come, you know, so and there was all. I must have freedom from suffering and its causes, being as good as possible. There are many must achieve. Every human being. So today experiencing danger, general suffering, particularly human problems, suffering.
So that was unbearable. Then even for one second being sometimes suffering you know, particularly human being’s problems of those suffering. Then it’s like, I I must liberate them. I have full responsibility in this side. I have freedom from all the so, so, therefore, I must liberate them from all the suffering and its causes and bring enlightenment about as quick as possible.
As quick as possible by myself. And then I receive all my part numbers past, present future happiness, and all the beginning of this, the past happiness, future happiness, other present, future happiness. Realization, enlightenment, realization, enlightenment, realization, enlightenment, everything was who is the most precious, most kind one? Who’s the most precious, most kind one in my life? Who’s most present?
Common? Even for a second, like, therefore, I have full responsibility. And so at this time, so there must freedom from others. Therefore, I must bring them freedom from all suffering and its causes, and therefore, I must as possible. So so I feel respondly with that, and then I must bring them freedom from saṃsāra as good as possible.
By myself alone, there are much. The numbers of intimacy things, you know, the I received from each of them, all the numbers past, what they have the numberless past lives and the elements are coming up. So for the the gentleman. Even one second is like sound for you, so I must I’m nervous of that. Therefore, must bring them to freedom as quickly as possible.
Mhmm. And I’d like to add to a. And I need to establish, therefore, I need to practice the Dharma, the general and the highest offering practice, which is the Dharma practice. And which purifies. the Mahāmudrā clear light, and the and the illusory body.
So that was all great purpose. Which has been continue. You have received. So to speak, spirit of those who have received the highest yoga tantra initiation But in this practice, all the objects of refuge are absorbed and the the body, our heart, and by reciting this eight-line praise to the father, mother. So you are absorbed into them.
They make strong request. So this is got very powerful blessings. First, the negative karma, the downfalls, the the collected from the beginning but now are compressed. And then it come up with the relationship with the vajra master, guru. Everything is completely unified and absorbed into the heart.
Happily and accept. Now my small request that may I be reborn in the pure land. There’s about two stages in this very long time. But I’ll do it in a second. Fully accept your request.
And then I think whenever the death happens whenever death happens to me, may I be born in the pure land of the father and the mother, the pure land, or wherever it is most beneficial for sentient beings. May I put on there? Wherever it’s most beneficial for sentient beings? so that enlightenment can be achieved as quickly as possible. The able to complete all the projects in the organization, which are existing now and which are planned, which will be planned to the needs immediately.
Yeah. Most benefit also. Everything. Was there anything not done? What?
Only okay. Yeah. One of the of the very important teachers in saga tradition, Is he he says he is in Sydney and was about to run Andrei course. Then a major sponsor of the sangha for this puja is praying for her mother, Ruth Wilson. Then Leo Sargent, who has a fatal illness, Khorshed Khan, who has cancer, Ansley Ariadasa, is terminally ill with cancer, John Op who’s dying from asbestosis, Max who’s has or dying slowly from asbestosis, Max who has a bad heart and kidney failure, Rose Smedley who has advanced secondary cancer, Doug Marr Rader who has serious chronic illness, Sylvia Little who had to find peace and happiness, James Waterton to find direction in life.
Anna Ferringamo is suffering from fear, depression, and anger. Maria Myers is suffering from fear, depression, and anger. Alessandra Myers, who has a degenerative disease. Annie Griffith, who’s deceased and a car accident. Dora Sproun, who died of lung cancer.
Eric Braun, who died of stomach cancer. Tomasz Kowalski who died of liver cancer, Lucia Kowalski who died old old age, ninety nine, Nasita who died of motor neurone disease, Barbara, old age and bad health and negative attitude. Bill Ramsden, who died. John Boland, who’s very angry and despair and great confusion. Jen Scott, liver and bowel cancer.
Anna Lee’s and Chambers, heart and circulation problems. Irma a has dementia. Ma has depression, anger, big ignorance. Lai Kuan Liu has cancer. Lynn Lee has cancer.
Annette Foley has cancer. Kathy Penny to recover from brain hemorrhage. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, immediate unconditional release, due for execution by the Chinese at any moment. He is the Pänchen Lama, immediate nonconditional release. Helen Foster, time of cancer.
Margaret McLean, dying of old age. Elizabeth Tang, multiple sclerosis. Anne Thomas, health in career crisis. Pearl Payne, peace in her old age. Nora McCrane, Janet Curtis, brother-in-law died ten days ago.
Andrew Morrison Mitchell, Audrey Playford, died, consoled with Playford, Lizzie Playford, missus Holly, disturbed mind and bedridden, all people who are scared of death, all people suffering post postnatal depression and their children. Lilo and Franz Knee, dying of old age, Norm Crane, Tracy Chambers, bowel cancer, Lindsay Smith, seriously ill with blood clots, Marjana, How many people died? There’s some people who died? Yeah. There’s some who died.
But I don’t think anyone who died today This brother or somebody’s asking? Brother, I see. Today. Ten Ten days. Mhmm.
Mhmm. So So this is medicine Buddha, same medicine Buddha, and the medicine Buddha purified. Okay? All the people all the of those names mentioned, those whose names are mentioned and also as well as people who passed away. If you took a piece of don’t skip the names, please.
The Bhagavan, the destroyer qualified who has equal compassion to us also to others in the music. Just by hearing the name eliminates these sufferings of the lower realms and eliminates the sicknesses of the three poisons of mind to the medicine to you the we will have the medicine, but fully enlightened fully enlightened one. To the to the the the So I’ll make a next final request to the medicine Buddha. So what is the best for them, all the names, now those who have those who are sick and those are pastors, whatever the best for them them to happen that. Then let’s say, that ultimate to achieve enlightenment as quick as possible.
So After we submitted it, purified all the head upon the nectars and torma for the living, the sick, and those who passed with them. And then to mention that, purified completely. So whatever prayer you’ve done in the past made a dedication to me and all those people passed away and sick and all those those things mentioned there. And and all the rest was sent in beings without leaving a second. What if I have prayer?
Do me make slightly immediately. Whatever prayer you have done, may it be this in I mean, all those people whose names mentioned there, living or died living on died and all the rest of the things. What about prayer? Maybe it’s slightly muted. That gives imitated people, all those people.
All the people sick, and they were passed away. Was never to mention that in the request. All the development is currently purified. When you say the main offering, then project and make offering. Also in the if you can remember all the offerings here, at least at least all the offerings here, remember and make an offer to to that medicine Buddha.
Each time when it says offering, then remember all these offerings here, offer. So that’s where the that’s where I think when we dedicate, they they get more merit. There is a pathway of liberation in the midst of that. Whatever I have done, made in part, made a dedication to benefit all those people who request, who’s name to mention there, to request. All my plan will submitted.
Then I’d be immediately purified all those living ones and then the whole pathway. Mhmm. The. Then what about prayer we have done in the past to make it immediately to all the people whose names made to that, to those who passed away. Then to result in all of us all of us here to all sent in beings immediately.
Mhmm. Whatever prior I do, it will expressed immediately. Then I’ll put submitted it. Purified all the notes with names mentioned there. I’ll pass it once.
Auntie me and all all of us, you know, all of you know, the sentient beings. we would have purified, we would be actually liberated. Then that was immediately purified. Although since the blessings of the lama the the those who are living, and then those who died already, and so then they come purified. Almost here.
All sentiments. Whatever prayer you have done in the past, immediately. All the then the people who request there and those who passed away, all of them, and all the sentiments. Not to any second. Whatever prayers done may be actualized immediately.
It is purified. All the people. Only this is. Need to come with the drug. Let me purify.
There was a people others who passed away, so it’s. To me the word we have done in the past, actualize immediately to all the p to all the people who then mentioned the the request. They know who who passed away. And this was always here. So and also.
And purified all those people. And there was never there, and those who passed away, they all. Yeah. Those liver disease pretty much. Whatever prayer you have done, may it be actualized immediately to all these people who never never met there.
Then those who passed away, then all all the sentiments, all of us here. I mean, all my peer prayers I mean, all my prayers basically. Then little bit limited purifier, all those people. No information there. Well, they seem to spray on the cover of everything.
Now all of us here, purified. All of them are purified. Image again. Purified all those all those people. The name is mentioned there.
All the. Is there anything? So I’ll make a strong request. Due to the due to all the past, the merits dedicated here, This past week. Promise.
Diet and then numbers. Delivered from the power of the sufferings. From most unimaginable suffering. They reincarnate in a pure land. Made it reincarnate in pure land, but it can be enlightened or just a perfect body.
I’ll meet Mahāyāna meet Mahāyāna, Dharma, and virtual friend, and it’s a life path. It’s enlightenment as quick as possible. And anyone any by my hearing, anybody who’s sick who is sick cause that will cause that sentient beings image get recovered and have most meaningful life and the entire Lamrim path. And by my hearing, somebody died, caused that sentient beings to immediately born in a pure land, and they can’t that sentient beings can be enlightened. So from now, every day, whenever one hear somebody say, a Medicine Buddha, Somebody say They manage the Buddha.
Fully accept your request and light rays of light absorb into of those people. Mhmm. Page ninety three. Dedicate this course to making me uphold the Dharma with scriptures and realizations, fulfill the aspirations, prayers and deeds of Buddha’s bodhisattvas of three times. By name are the Buddha’s bodhisattvas, my all sentient beings.
May I myself, who numbers my family, who numbers this organization, all sentient beings, never be partied in all our lives from Mahāyāna’s four spheres. And may we reach the end of our journey on the path of initiation, bodhicitta, pure view, and tantric stages. The world. Never be reborn in the lower realms. May they immediately be liberated from all disease, spread harm, negative karma, and defilements.
May they achieve and quickly actualize the whole path, especially Bodhicitta. And may it go immediately stop all wars, famine, sickness, natural disasters, and may these things never be experienced again. And may I also become wish fulfilling for all sentient beings, able to fulfill all their wishes according to the Dharma. May this very important teacher in this tradition benefit beings and the organization. So to have to have a very successful treatment.
May he have a very successful treatment and operation. No, say, without an obstacle and have a long life and able to continuously able to offer. I able to offer limitless kinds of benefit to say all sentient beings. Having said this, I dedicate with you all. May from now on in all my future lifetimes.
It be a wish to be like that. That which are that that which are empty. Empty of empty of the way it appears to us and what what’s the so far, what’s believed. May I be empty of how it appears, how it has appeared from the beginning of birth to oneself and how how it’s believed. It’s you, what we thought is enlightenment, that which is is empty of the real inherent enlightenment, which is independent and existing from its own side, which is believed from which is believed that from beginning of birth, appeared and believed that was it.
Thought that’s empty. But the enlightenment is the empt of this. It’s just so each of this. But the enlightenment is the empt of this. Either the sentient beings were empty of the sentient being that what has happened, who happened how it appeared to us from the beginning of birth and then we have believed ourselves into that.
To lead to liberation, but there’s enlightenment, which also empty off the way it’s appeared from beginning of the birth and the birth believed by one’s own. Balam also was totally empty of, totally empty of how it’s been appeared, have been appear appearing to also understood in mind from beginning, this is a real self, and and totally believed in that way by ourselves right now. I dedicate all the merits in the same way of the past. And all the rest of the project, the one operation, and able to provide all the needs, all the fundings for all the centers and all the projects without delay in a second. May the general and particular wishes be expressed in this world and benefit the lives and hearts of all of us.
And here, I want to announce this to anyone who has those who are doing Good afternoon. Let’s do a change. Six forty five. Six forty five. Six forty five.
Just a couple of quick announcements to do with six forty five. There’s been some little difficulties caused by people’s watch not being synchronized and missing buses So, my suggestion is that we use VST which is Venerable Sara’s time and it says twelve forty nine down there at the moment So, if you put your clocks to twelve forty nine now well, they might all be wrong but they’ll all be at the same time and that will be that means you won’t miss the buses in the morning. There are long life Puja karma yoga lists now on the wall in the dining room. They’re not large jobs, most of them. But if you’d like a particular one, get in there quickly and put your name on it.
And just checking with Helen Manon, Carter cutting still required? So people who would like to do Carter cutting see Helen. Is that right?