Preeminence of the Dharma & Power of Transformation – Kalu Rinpoche

Preeminence of the Dharma Spiritual instructions constitutes the divine Dharma. Studies, researches, and activities that are directed only toward material progress and well-being in the framework of this present existence form the temporal dharma.

The human existence we now have is not a random result. It implies that, in our past lives, we have been able to accomplish more positive acts than negative acts. The human condition is generally good, according to the use we make of it; however, there are inferior, mediocre, or superior human existences.

1. Inferior human existence characterizes beings who turn away from the spiritual path and positive activity and commit many negative acts.  This existence is considered inferior to the extent that it will lead to great future suffering.
2. Mediocre human existence regroups those who accomplish neither great negative acts nor great positive acts. Consequently, they will encounter mediocre conditions, neither very pleasant nor very painful in their future lives.
3. Superior or precious human existence, finally, characterizes those who meet with spiritual masters, are interested in their masters’ teachings, and put those teachings into practice. Through these acts, they will go to superior worlds and liberation.

Spiritual practice does not imply that it is necessary to abandon this life entirely. We must feed ourselves, dress, find shelter, and so on. Let us remember, however, that the intent of Dharma is for something greater than temporal activities.

Everything we do in this life indeed resembles a dream. In the evening, we fall asleep, and then at night, we dream. We can dream that we have a beautiful house, or that we stroll around on a magnificent landscape and everything is beautiful and pleasant.

However, when we wake up, the house, landscape, and everything that charmed us have disappeared. Nothing remains. It is the same with our life. When it ends, we will not be able to take anything we have accumulated with us. The only thing that will help us at the moment of death is the inner wealth we have acquired by the practice of the Dharma. This is why the Dharma is so precious.

Shantideva emphasized that it would be in vain to hope for a future precious human existence, if we do not make good use of the one we now have.

– Kalu Rinpoche–Secret Buddhism/Vajrayana Practices

Power of Transformation

Considering that it is not possible to reach Awakening by retaining the impure components of our personality, the Vajrayana proposes a system that allows us to transform impure into pure.

The body becomes the pure body of the yidam, inseparable manifestation and emptiness
Speech becomes the mantra, the pure word, inseparable sound and emptiness
The mind becomes the five wisdoms, pure mind, inseparable intelligence and emptiness

All phenomena are production of the mind. This is why, if one develops sufficient mastery of the mind, phenomena can all be transformed. The Vajrayana uses this power of transformation to undertake the passage from impure to pure.

– Kalu Rinpoche–Secret Buddhism/Vajrayana Practices

This is why during the phase of creation, one meditates on the external world as a pure land, the house as a divine palace, and oneself and all other beings as having the body of the deity.

There is nothing conceived as materially existent, but everything is looked upon as the unsubstantial union of appearance and emptiness.

Similarly, we give a real existence to outer sounds formed by contact with the four elements, as well as inner sounds which are the speech of all beings. For this reason, sounds are interpreted and judged as pleasant or unpleasant, as sources of pleasure, fear, or annoyance.

In the phase of creation, all sounds are considered as the mantra. Having no reality of their own, they are the union of sound and emptiness.

The mind itself is empty. Many thoughts and conflicting emotions proceed from it. They are as empty as the mind that produces them, but nevertheless are considered as real entities.

The emptiness of the mind is similar to the ocean, and the thoughts to waves that rise and fall without interruption on the surface. Waves are none other than the ocean, and thoughts are none other than the mind. Misunderstanding this reality, we wander endlessly in the cycle of existence.

The disciple must be introduced to the realization of the true nature of his or her mind by a competent master, and then must meditate. When the disciple effectively reaches this recognition, the waves of the mind are reabsorbed in the immensity of primordial awareness.

It is realization of Mahamudra or Maha-ati, the union of intelligence and emptiness, to which the phase of completion leads.

– Kalu Rinpoche–Secret Buddhism/Vajrayana Practices