Your Broken Arm Is Another Form of Teaching

Your Broken Arm Is Another Form of Teaching

Date of Advice:
January 2016
Date Posted:
August 2016

Rinpoche wrote this letter to an old student who had a broken arm.

My very dear precious one, most kind one, most dear one, wish-fulfilling one,
How are you? I hope you are well. I am sorry your arm is broken; I will pray for you.

Breaking your arm is to remind you of the shortcomings of being in samsara—it is exactly like a teaching that you must be free from samsara, liberated from samsara. It is another form of teaching. It is like the guru explaining suffering and reminding you of the suffering of samsara.

It is said in the Kadampa teachings [by Geshe Kharag Gomchung] that:

Bad conditions are the guru explaining the nature of samsara and how you need to be free. 
The obstacles are persuading you to create virtue. 
Sicknesses and spirit possession are the broom cleaning away negative karma.
Suffering is the manifestation of emptiness.

Thank you very much. Take care of your life with bodhicitta, to make it the most beneficial for sentient beings. Even if you have only an hour to live or one day to live, make it the most beneficial for sentient beings.

Thank you very much, I hope to see you soon.

With much love and prayers...