Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Rinpoche gives teachings on extensive benefits of listening to, reading, reciting, and writing Arya Sanghata Sutra. 00:36:00 Rinpoche begins the oral transmission of Arya Sanghata Sutra. 01:03:30 Rinpoche tells about benefits of writing even one syllable from Arya Sanghata Sutra. 01:08:50 Rinpoche continues the oral transmission of the first chapter of Arya Sanghata Sutra. 01:19:45 Rinpoche teaches on the benefits of offering robes to scriptures, statues, and stupas. 01:27:45 Rinpoche leads extensive dedications. 01:59:45 Rinpoche gives advice on how to practice mindfulness of things being merely labeled during the break times. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Even without realizations, there are many ways we can benefit sentient beings, such as taking insects around holy objects to purify their karma. Rinpoche tells that he carries holy objects in order to help insects purify negative karma. One can also recite the five powerful purification deity mantras and bless them with blessed water or other substances to lead them to higher rebirth and enlightenment. 00:28:30 Rinpoche tells about the mantras that can benefit sentient beings, such as Stainless Pinnacle deity’s mantra and King of the Tantra Purifying the Lower Realm. 00:42:58 Rinpoche gives instructions on how to dedicate one’s merits to others’ enlightenment with specific examples. 01:19:50 Rinpoche tells how one can benefit insects and animals and shares the story of seven insects who went around a Buddha statue on a leaf blown by the wind - in their next life they were born as humans, generated renunciation, and in the life after that met Buddha Kashyapa and were predicted to enlightenment. This shows the power of circumambulating holy objects. 01:57:00 When liberating animals, set up an altar with many holy objects and take the animals around it - this creates unbelievable causes for their enlightenment. The animals are also benefiting you by purifying your karma. 02:14:14 Rinpoche begins the oral transmission of the King of Prayers. Recitation of this prayer leads to Amitabha guiding you at the time of death and then in the Blissful Realm. 02:24:15 Rinpoche gives an oral transmission of a short Amitabha practice that he received from His Holiness Chobgye Trichen Rinpoche. 02:27:08 Rinpoche explains the benefits of reciting the Maitreya Buddha mantra. 02:35:00 The group recites extensive dedications. 02:52:35 Rinpoche gives extensive instructions on how to think during break times, relating to the Lamrim meditations one did in the session. One should think that one's ignorance is like the magician. The magician uses some material object and recites mantras and things like that to cause people to see illusions. The negative imprint left by ignorance on our mental continuum is like the mantra or substances used to cause the hallucinations. One should keep one's mind in bodhicitta, emptiness, guru devotion, etc. This makes one's whole life meaningful and becomes a quick path to enlightenment. Try to remember the Lamrim and bodhicitta even when very busy in daily life. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 The heart of wisdom, the essential teaching of the Buddha, is realizing the truth of the nature of oneself and all phenomena. This wisdom cuts the root of samsara and liberates beings. 00:14:14 Rinpoche gives pith instructions on how to meditate on the emptiness of the "I". 00:37:10 It is important to listen to teachings on emptiness over and over again, and then correctly devoting to the virtuous friend, one can achieve the realization of emptiness. 00:41:05 Rinpoche tells the story of Tehor Kyorpen Rinpoche, a top Drepung scholar who renounced fame and lived in retreat and acted eccentrically to avoid distractions. Despite being misunderstood, he guided others to realize emptiness easily due to his deep realizations and great merit. According to this lama, a person with great merit has no difficulty realizing emptiness. Difficulties arise only for those with small merit. Therefore, it is important to collect extensive merit in daily life. 01:08:25 Rinpoche gives instructions on how to collect merits in daily life. Whatever action we are doing we should always try to transform it into virtue; we should always try to take the opportunity to collect merit. 01:54:00 Rinpoche explains that nothing exists from its own side and gives an example of a year and a day. Analyzing a "real" day - the 24 hours cannot be found in any of the individual hours or even in the collection of hours. The "year" and "day" are merely labeled by the mind in dependence on their parts. 02:41:31 In daily life, practice mindfulness that all appearances are like dreams - not truly existent as they appear. This prevents the mind from being disturbed by appearances. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Rinpoche gives a commentary on Heart Sutra and teaches on how suffering arises. 01:15:05 Rinpoche gives extensive teachings on how to meditate on guru devotion based on teachings and quotations of Kunkyen Jamyang Shepa and Kungtang Jampel Yang about gurus manifesting as ordinary beings. Rinpoche tells stories about His Holiness the Dalai Lama as an example of showing ordinary aspect to students, but in actuality being an enlightened being. Rinpoche explains the difference between appearances and reality. Appearance of gurus as ordinary beings and believing that is true is due to a mistaken and obscured mind. 02:48:00 Prayers and dedications. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Rinpoche tells about the importance of the practice of morality and teaches on the benefits of doing prostrations. 00:39:15 Rinpoche tells a short story about Khandro-la. 00:47:22 Prostrating to holy objects like statues and stupas immediately brings eight benefits, such as achieving a perfect body in future lives and being able to live in pure morality. 01:03:00 Pure morality is the main cause for achieving perfect concentration (shamatha). Without shamatha, one cannot achieve higher trainings of wisdom. 01:09:30 In the Lama Tsongkhapa tradition lineage lamas put so much effort into doing many hundred thousands of prostrations in their daily life. Rinpoche gives detailed explanations of how to do the practice of prostrations. Rinpoche also emphasizes that it is very good to have as many holy objects as possible in one's house to constantly create merit by seeing them. 02:10:05 According to Khedrup Je, in retreat once one increased the number of sessions to four, one doesn't decrease the number of sessions afterwards. 02:13:20 Torma offering, protector prayers, and dedications. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 kar ma rab rib mar me dang...di tar ta stanza is a very powerful Buddhist teaching and meditation to practice awareness, cut negative emotions like anger, desire and ignorance, and realize impermanence. 00:11:00 We believe we will live a long time, even on the day of our death. But Buddha advises not to trust this thought of permanence as it cheats us. 00:35:00 We can't predict who among us here will die first, even by this time next year. Death could happen to oneself at any time. 01:07:00 The main mistake is always thinking worldly concerns are more important than Dharma practice. Because of that, nothing has happened in our minds, no realizations. 01:25:00 Until one lets go of desire and clinging to this life, even if one tries to practice Dharma, it does not become holy Dharma. The motivation is stained by attachment. 01:54:22 Rinpoche gives a commentary on Heart Sutra. 02:25:50 Rinpoche leads the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:03:33 Remembering the suffering of sentient beings in samsara, we should strive to achieve enlightenment as quickly as possible to liberate them. Practicing guru yoga, as past yogis did, enables achieving enlightenment in one brief lifetime. 00:04:09 The foundation of tantric practice is guru yoga, which involves generating very strong devotion. This is what enabled past masters like Milarepa and Lama Tsongkhapa's disciples to achieve enlightenment in a brief lifetime. 00:07:22 Rinpoche explains the benefits of reciting the Clouds of Offerings Mantra. 00:32:30 Rinpoche continues leading the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga and gives instructions on how to do visualizations. 01:51:15 Rinpoche gives an extensive teaching on benefits of doing prostrations. 02:32:02 Rinpoche continues teachings and leads dedication prayers. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Rinpoche leads the motivation for the practice. 00:18:15 Rinpoche leads the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 The stanza "To not commit any unwholesome action, engage in perfect wholesome action, and subdue one's mind - this is the teaching of the Buddha" contains the Four Noble Truths. 00:16:06 The minute when one cherishes the I, one has a problem in life. The stronger one cherishes the I, even a small thing that didn’t happen exactly is regarded a huge problem, it become huge disturbance to oneself. 01:51:02 Doing actions with bodhicitta motivation is the best Dharma. Even eating, walking, sitting, sleeping, and doing jobs with a pure mind unstained by self-cherishing becomes Dharma. 02:04:05 The self-cherishing thought is the root of all problems in life. Cherishing the "I" brings no real peace or happiness, while cherishing others with loving-kindness brings joy and peace. 03:17:12 Guru devotion practice protects the mind. Looking at the guru as a buddha and following their advice is the "emergency practice" and brings quick realizations on the path to enlightenment. 04:31:00 Dedicating that all sentient beings never generate negative thoughts towards the guru, be guided by qualified gurus, and realize emptiness. May all the organization's projects, social services, and centers be successful and beneficial by receiving all necessary funding. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 The purpose of the preliminary prayers is to pacify obstacles to achieving full enlightenment and the complete qualities of cessation and realization, for oneself and others. 00:11:14 Lama Tsongkhapa emphasized bodhicitta in every teaching. Seeking enlightenment for oneself alone results in a limited realization. One must seek enlightenment to benefit all sentient beings. 00:43:52 Buddhas liberate sentient beings by revealing the ultimate truth and reality, which is the teaching of the perfection of wisdom. This is the heart of the 84,000 teachings of the Buddha. 01:21:15 Practicing kindness, forgiveness, tolerance, and rejoicing in others’ happiness keep the mind peaceful and joyful. Even without deep realizations, these basic practices make one a good human being and bring peace to the world. Ultimately, realizing emptiness—the heart of the Heart Sutra—leads to liberation from samsara. 01:41:16 Without depending on the guru appearing in ordinary aspect, even if there are countless buddhas, they cannot guide you to enlightenment. The guru in ordinary aspect is most precious. 02:47:42 In daily life, practice mindfulness of looking at the nature of phenomena as empty. This helps control delusions from arising. Even if one doesn't have realizations, strong faith in Lama Tsongkhapa's explanation of emptiness gives hope to realize it in the future. 03:27:07 In this retreat, even if one is unable to finish 100,000 migtsemas, if one achieves realization of guru devotion, one will have succeeded. That’s the main goal, the main objective of doing this Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga. We’re not looking for the number of mantras; we’re looking for realizations. 04:07:03 Rinpoche leads extensive dedications. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Even if you practice tantra with great hardship for eons, you cannot achieve enlightenment if you make mistakes in devoting to the guru. 00:03:06 Rinpoche mentioned the story about Milarepa recognizing Padampa Sangye who had manifested as a flower to test him. 00:05:21 Padampa Sangye advised the people of Tingri that if they treat guru as more special than the Buddha, they will achieve realizations and enlightenment in one life. 00:09:03 Since the Je Drubkangpa's mind was so obscured that he couldn't generate devotion to one of his gurus, he never achieved realizations despite meditating on lamrim for many years. 00:32:32 The main objective of guru devotion is to see the guru as a Buddha. The more stable this devotion is, the more one is able to see the guru as a Buddha regardless of the guru's external appearance or behavior. 00:52:14 Since due to obscurations, disciples cannot see the guru's qualities, the guru has no choice but to appear in an ordinary form to guide disciples. This ordinary appearance is therefore the guru's utmost kindness. 01:12:13 The conclusion is that the real guru is the embodiment of all the Buddhas' qualities. Recognizing this is the realization to strive for in guru yoga practice. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Rinpoche dedicates the recitation of Heart Sutra for the health and stable life of Ribur Rinpoche and tells a short story about how he met and received teachings from Ribur Rinpoche. 00:12:30 The group recites the Praise to Buddha Shakyamuni and the Heart Sutra. 00:22:35 Rinpoche tells stories about how prayers, pujas, and meditation on emptiness by some lamas in Tibet were used to eliminate obstacles for travelling. 00:40:35 Rinpoche advises that meditating on the emptiness of sickness, relationship problems, or other obstacles, even briefly, becomes a powerful practice to purify their causes. Looking at the three spheres of giver, receiver, and action as empty is helpful for overcoming spiritual harms. 00:46:40 Rinpoche and students recite Heart Sutra, Lion-faced Dakini, and other prayers. 00:54:50 Rinpoche leads extensive offerings of all the holy objects, statues, stupas, scriptures etc. in the ten directions to the Three Jewels, making offerings to each one individually to collect merit. The motivation of making offerings should be for the happiness of every single sentient being. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Rinpoche shares the story of the incredible attainments of the ascetic monk Gen Jampa Wangdu. 00:31:25 Rinpoche explains the importance of making good quality offerings and the benefits of various offerings according to scriptures. 00:53:00 Rinpoche leads the group practice of offerings and mandala offering. 01:00:56 Recitation of migtsemas and dedications. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Preliminary prayers and Rinpoche leads the motivation and practice of Four Immeasurables. 00:14:45 Rinpoche leads the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga and leads the motivation for extensive offerings. 00:35:12 Rinpoche gives a commentary to the text by Pabongkha Dechen Nyingpo, the essence of which is confession based on generation of intense regret over the vast negative karmas accumulated from beginningless rebirths. 01:03:38 The group chants the confession prayer from Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga and Rinpoche gives a commentary on how to do visualizations while doing the practice of Vajrasattva in the context of Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga. 01:09:48 Rinpoche leads the practice of Vajrasattva. 01:35:10 Rinpoche leads the practice of rejoicing and requesting to turn the wheel of Dharma. 01:43:10 The group recites Migtsemas and prayers from Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga and Lama Chopa Jorcho. 02:25:37 Rinpoche leads the extensive dedication prayers. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Rinpoche explains the benefits and meanings of several mantras: mantras for blessing the speech, Chenrezig mantra, and other mantras. By reciting these mantras, the negative karma of anyone who sees, touches oneself or hears one's voice gets purified. 01:05:35 Rinpoche leads the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Lama Zopa Rinpoche leads the motivation for the practice of Confession of a Bodhisattva's Downfalls to the Thirty-Five Buddhas. 00:10:45 Rinpoche does the practice of Confession of a Bodhisattva's Downfalls to the Thirty-Five Buddhas with students. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:01:45 Rinpoche leads a reflection on the nature of samsara and three types of suffering. 00:08:03 Why do we need to take refuge in the Three Jewels? Guru, Buddha, Dharma and Sangha have the perfect power and qualities to liberate oneself and all sentient beings from the oceans of samsaric suffering and its causes. 00:27:22 The four immeasurable thoughts - equanimity, loving kindness, compassion and joy - is a preliminary practice, but it is an important practice as it is about making a very important decision to transform one's life to benefit all sentient beings. 00:29:40 Rinpoche explains the meaning of jin lab, blessings of the Guru. 00:52:05 The power of regret and how to do the practice of confession. 01:05:20 By rejoicing in Lama Tsongkhapa’s qualities and extensive holy deeds, one creates the cause, sooner or later, to be able to complete the path. One creates the cause to be able to have unmistaken realization of Lama Tsongkhapa’s path and to offer extensive benefit to sentient beings and the teaching of Buddha, the same as Lama Tsongkhapa did. 01:29:30 The group recites prayers Requesting to Turn the Dharma Wheel and Dedication, Special Request for the Three Great Purposes, The Foundation of All Good Qualities, and final dedications. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:59 Reading Lamrim prayer leaves a positive imprint of the whole path to enlightenment in a few minutes. 00:27:45 Rinpoche tells how deity retreats have been set up. Rinpoche included certain prayers and specific dedications to be recited at the end of each session. The most common prayers recited during deity retreats are King of Prayers, Prayer to Be Reborn in the Land of Bliss, Prayer for the Flourishing of Je Tsongkhapa’s Teachings and others. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:01 Rinpoche tells about the meaning of negation in the Heart Sutra. "No" doesn't mean that things do not exist, it is negating the way phenomena appear - as truly existent from their own side. Understanding this point helps not to fall into extremes of nihilism and eternalism. 00:10:05 How to avoid the mistake from the very beginning of your analysis by identifying the correct object of refutation - gak-cha. 00:33:00 Phenomena exist, but they exist in mere name, merely imputed by mind. They do not exist from their own side. 01:04:00 From the I down to the split seconds of consciousness, all phenomena exist in mere name, merely imputed by mind. Without mind labeling them, they cannot exist. 01:27:00 When meditating on emptiness, if fear arises, that is a good sign - it means your meditation is harming the object of ignorance, the root of samsara. One should go through the fear, not stop the meditation. 01:48:00 The word "Ah" in the Heart Sutra is like an atomic bomb that destroys the hallucination of true existence projected onto all phenomena by ignorance. It shows phenomena are empty of existing from their own side. 02:24:00 When reciting the Heart Sutra, one should apply it to one's own problems and sufferings, meditating that they are empty of true existence. This becomes a powerful puja to pacify obstacles. 02:30:00 Rinpoche explains that Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche used to recite Extensive Dispelling of Hindrances after the Heart Sutra as a way of pacifying all obstacles for the teachers, students, and Dharma centers due to sickness, spirit possession, unfavorable conditions, past karma, and immediate conditions. 02:37:30 The group recites Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga and Rinpoche leads the extensive offerings practice and dedications. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/