Always Remembering

Heartfelt Advice for Your Entire Life

Jigme Phuntsok, Khenpo Sodargye

• Publisher: Wisdom Publications
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9781614295808
• eBook ISBN: 9781614296041
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religious Poetry

The poems and teachings of a beloved Buddhist master, vividly presented so that readers feel they are listening to the precious and renowned teachings of His Holiness directly—and learning how to live with more joy and ease. His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok was a prominent teacher in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He was recognized as a tertön and renowned for his mastery of Dzokchen and his visionary activities, including the establishment of the nonsectarian Buddhist community of Larung Gar, one of the largest monastic settlements in the world and a vibrant Buddhist teaching center that has contributed enormously to the resurgence of Buddhism in Tibet and China. In memory of the thirteenthanniversary of Rinpoche's passing, this book was compiled of his precious and renowned teachings. It includes stories of the lives of great masters, as well as teachings on the principle of cause and effect, keeping an open mind toward all religious traditions, spreading the Dharma and benefiting sentient beings, and mastering what to adopt and what to abandon. Readers will also learn about Tibetan culture, customs, and the many kinds of Tibetan tulkus.His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok's heartfelt advice on how to improve interpersonal relationships enables us to live with more ease and joy. Five poems by Jigme Phuntsok in both Tibetan and English translation enrich the teachings with His Holiness's poetic voice.

PART 1.

POEMS

THE SONG SHOWING WEARINESS OF THIS LIFE

The Melodious Cuckoo Singing

1.

The spiritual teacher embodying the wisdom essence of all buddhas,

the master of the treasure of retention, eloquence, and excellences,

the lord of buddha families, Mipham, whose wisdom is immaculate —

please always remain on the lotus in my heart center with joy.

2.

To the dreamlike happiness in this life,

miserable sentient beings cling day and night.

When meaningless trivia appear in my mind,

I could not help singing this song of weariness.

3.

So-called wealth has been admired by every being,

but it merely increases the suffering of lacking leisure, physically and mentally.

People splurge on enjoying fine food and clothes,

which only become what they attach to and obstacles to liberation at the time of death.

4.

Even if one becomes wealthy, except for food and clothes,

one will certainly get no other benefit.

Even possessing the wealth of the entire Jambudvipa,

one would not be satisfied but want more.

5.

Although people always mock the destitute,

when I think of what the rich have to experience throughout their lives,

the suffering of seeking, accumulating, and losing wealth,

I prefer to be a happy beggar who has sound sleep and ease.

6.

Summer flowers and the wealth of rich people

both appear gorgeous but cannot last long.

They have no essence, yet kindle excessive attachment,

which tosses us into the unbearable abyss of the lower realms.

7.

Ancient people used to enjoy the pleasures and wealth of the entire four continents,

their magnificent clothes and ornaments comparable to those of the celestial lords,

but these are all as impermanent as rainbows vanishing in the sky.

Therefore understand that our enjoyment is surely like dewdrops on a blade of grass.

8.

Most people who were as rich as the king of nagas last year

become the poorest among those bereft of everything this year.

Since this is not a dream but appears vividly like a dream,

sadness wells up in me and I can’t help feeling weary of the happiness in samsara.

9.

Those in high positions of power are greatly renowned;

this is as impermanent and unsteady as autumn clouds,

and surely has no essence either, like summer rainbows.

When this is pondered over, isn’t weariness even stronger?

1...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Praise for Always Remembering
• Title Page
• Contents
• Preface
• Transliteration
• Part 1. Poems
• Part 2. Teachings
• Notes
• Works Referenced
• About the Author and Translator
• Copyright