You not necessarily too much intellect. Just everyday life you check up, how the self-cherishing thought make you agitated, your mind. Even somebody ask one cup of tea, unbelievable. But still you doing because your ego, isn't it? I mean really, unpleasure, you…

[tape change]

[Lama] …quiet peaceful life or whatever you want, you choose, that’s all. I mean that way. OK, dear? That’s all. I saying simple way, OK? Good. [Pause] Yeah, it’s true. Yes?

Q [same person]. Can I carry this forward? [Yes.] Well, like, it seems that, I don’t know, but I really feel that, clearing out all of the things around, especially here in America where there’s so much, it’s better to help other people, for myself, when I have fewer possessions, fewer attachments to worry about, I can benefit other people better because I can think clearer [that’s true, of course, yes, you right] but then at the same time, it seems that sometimes I can benefit people better if I would have a nice big house with lots of bedrooms so everybody would have a place to sleep and lots of food so that they could all meditate, they wouldn’t have to worry about food and they could just meditate and I could take care of them that way [right, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah…]…and then I could [laughs…]

Lama. That’s possible. If you’re skillful mind, that’s true. If your skillful mind comprehends all these people, skillful manner, sort of choose, let them put such good environment, and give food and practicing, if you can do, better you do that one. You have your meditation, you helping many people, better, that’s true. But if you do with unclear mind, OK, today you emotionally you make these things, ten days later, “Oh, kitchen is broken, this broken, this window breaking, and this, this, this, this…last night, boom, boom, boom, boom…he mad, she mad, I’m mad…” these kind of things, you know, you understand what I mean? Good, yes, possible, isn’t it, so many possibilities there. That’s right, you right. If you could do, you can comprehend this all such way, by skillful manner you can keep all together, better do that one. Good. It’s true.

Time is now? […past twelve.] After twelve? [Five to.] Five to twelve, OK, yes. So I think it’s very important, somehow, you should have mental rule, first beginning, but then, after some times, maybe you don’t need mental rule. But, if you have also skillful wisdom, your own way you can put, without something taking ordination or…it’s possible; that also possible. Good, thank you. Then? Yes? Yah, you have, some? No question you? Surprise. If you have question you can go still. Yes?

Q (same person again). I’m being a (?), taking all the questions. [That’s OK, yes, we understand, we all understand. We all understand what she say is.] This question is about my relationship with you and other people’s relationship with you because you are a lama, and like, sometimes when I think…because you’re a lama, does that mean I should not think of you as a person too?

Lama. Person? Yeah, yeah, you should think. [Is it OK for me to ask you this question?] Yeah, yeah, you can think. You think just, I am just another man. Right. [It’s very hot out today and I know that’s hard for you, when it’s hot like that…] Yes, you right. […and I think about how, for me it’s not bad to be hot today at all, I don’t think it’s as bad for me as it is for you…] Right, yes, you right. […I don’t know. But then I thought maybe I shouldn’t think that…he’s a lama.] No, that’s OK, yes. That you can think, yes. Right, yes, that’s OK. [Because somebody told me you should never think of a lama as a person, it’s not good to do that.] Who said? [Well, I don’t really…] Yes. Lama is person. [Are you a person?] Sure, sure. I’m now, nowadays I’m the Wisconsin man, now. Wisconsin man. Wisconsin American man now. OK, yeah. Yes, that’s OK, just think simple, OK, simple think. Good. Yes?

Q [McKay]. Lama, where do you draw the line between putting yourself into situations where you can, where you have a lot of opportunity to see your self-cherishing thought popping up, like for instance in a job? There’s a lot of opportunity when you’re out dealing with people to see, to see that popping up, but you’re also creating a lot of negative karma when you’re not aware of it, and you’re always [yes, grasping], creating negative karma. Where do you draw the line between, while risking creating more negative karma or trying to cut yourself off from those type of situations where…negative mind….?

Lama. Depend; I think that’s so simple; depend, depend. Example, if you not put yourself that kind of situation, maybe you cannot have one bread, piece of bread for life. Then maybe you die. [I don’t mean…] So situation is many different situation, many different circumstances situation. You put such place yourself, that’s all dear. OK? I think that’s so clear. Don’t you think?

Q. Do you mean just the job, it’s just like a… [yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah…] …you mean situations where…

Lama. Yeah, example, example, don’t get any job rather than this job. But that, having that job sometimes make mental disorder, but sometimes seeing really, that seeing is becomes wisdom. So there is part of mix; one way is wisdom, one way is negative, ignorant. There’s no way choice, then you have to try to, more try becomes more positive. That’s all, that’s all you can do particular that situation; depend what situation. If you think that make you unhappy, mental disorder, maybe one time, sometimes you become, you going becomes crazy, better give up that job. You know what I mean? But you have to know. OK? I think all right. Depend what situation. If you only get that kind of job then you have no choice. If you get skillful way, you found another job, very peaceful, working happy, also Dharma, I think that’s wonderful. Example, many people has this kind of job. In this world some people are translating, some want translate, some people are something …hmm…many different things they have. I think so. So those kind of things can choose. But difficult, isn’t, that kind of job, to get? Yes, very difficult. Yes, I know, true, yes. Something? OK? You can get easy job where you, your place? Something you easy job you can get?

Q [Still McKay]. Well, the job I have is driving a cab and…so there’s people getting in the car all day and I got a lot of opportunity to, a lot of material for equilibrium meditation with all kinds of people. But what I was asking was, is that type of situation good where I got all this material for my meditation at night [that’s good, that’s good] but at the same time I’m creating a lot of negative karma all during the day when I…[how, how you…you angry?] I mean, sometimes.

Lama. Oh, sometimes. Oh, then better more positive, little bit angry, that’s OK. Still better; that has advantage too. Sure. Better. Good. More developing benefit others than small angry; doesn’t matter, you forget yourself. “My anger cause, made me, I go crazy, I don’t care, as long I help other sentient being.” You give up yourself. Then automatically your crazy disappear, again. Thank you. OK, now. I not keep you long time. OK. Thank you so much.

So we, today we, I translate Rang nyi si tshor lhung wa ji shin du, Mar gyur dro wa kün kyang de dra war, Thong nä dro wa dröl wäi khur khyer wäi, Jang chhub sem chhog jong par jin gyi lob…OK. Thank you so much.

Ge-wa di-yi…

Oh, very good. So dedication also very important. Many times we do good things but then without dedication, small angry make disappear. It is the mental energy, mental energy. Whenever you do something worthwhile, instead of you, “Oh I did fantastic, oh…,” instead of proud, and sometimes becomes anger, just poof, disappear. And then dedicate sincerely to others. This a part of training mind. So that from beginning enlightenment attitude, to lead all mother sentient being into enlightenment, and then do your action, whatever is, day, and then after, you dedicate, it becomes completely fulfillment. OK.

Otherwise we do little bit, little bit, little bit and no full things. But when we do negative, we do so much perfectly from beginning up to end. It’s very interesting that. You have to know this. Negative we have strong willing desire; then we do with great impression with action; then after finished, that sort of “Oh, I’m so happy,” sort of dedicate for attachment. So from beginning up to end it’s total, becomes total.

So the Mahayana practicing is totally against that total negative. So from beginning, self-cherishing is here, look at, self-cherishing thought is here [heart], so automatically against and self-cherishing is down, having enlightenment bodhicitta. Then action positive. Then, instead of proud, the dedication, sincerely dedicate that action into others. I don’t know. So it becomes whole thing. Yes.

You know, many religions has, maybe person good, then no middle, becomes berserk. Maybe sometimes good, middle good, but no dedication good. You see, that kind of mind cannot against to the negative attachment. You can see whole psychology by your practicing, having bodhicitta action such, dedication, whole together makes destroying attachment. You can see, actually, you have to see, otherwise you don’t know what purpose what you are doing. Clear? I think we clear.

So we know whole psychology what you are doing, how effective is. You can see, isn’t it? I think so. Good. Thank you so much.

I think too much, thank you so much, OK, thank you very much, thank you, and goodbye, see you sky. Sometimes sky… Thank you very much, thank you everything…

[tape change]

Willing, you to do it, “Oh, so here,” [showing begrudgingly dumping down a cup of tea]. OK.

So you giving, action, action you giving tea with such psychological buzzing, buzzing, selfish thought, it’s negative, actually. As long you have such dedicated, such dedicated thought, all the knowledge, real knowledge of the enlightenment knowledge or omniscient knowledge-wisdom or powerful compassion or…those are comes from concerned other living beings’ pleasure.

So, having this understanding is so powerful. I mean, life happy—first, we forget about enlightenment—just be practical, every day life you happy. You have no problem with your surround people. That is more practical. So that, if you have, your mind training as much possible into bodhicitta and trying realize oneself attachment is biggest problem for everyday life to be happy, if you realize this one, it’s so simple, I mean really simple.

Even you cannot do such changing oneself attachment attitude totally to others, concerned others’ pleasure, if you cannot do, just try equilibrium meditation. It’s so powerful. Life becomes sort of practical life and life enjoy.

First of all, instead of try enlightenment or somewhere, arrogant realization, looking arrogant realization, first look life joyful by stopping life complicate, by the, comes from selfish thought.

So, it becomes more realistic, and making sense.

I don’t think so something talk about. Oh, clear. I think that is. So, yah, I think that’s all. As much possible we looking everyday life how the selfish attachment produce problem…around your friends.

So all the problem, attachment, desire problem is comes from attachment. All the hatred anger is comes from attachment. Even bad reputation is comes from attachment. Somebody tell you bad name, is that also comes from attachment. So one who real understand this, less problem and psychologically healthy, becomes healthy…by releasing such emotional attachment function.

So what I’m saying is, actually, sometimes we too much intellecting highest goal something enlightenment or philosophical something, something that, that, that, this. But not concerned everyday life how the problem coming…and life disorder, arrogant looking enlightenment, something like that. It’s not practical, I think; impractical.

So be practical is the, just check up how the problem coming, everyday life. That’s all, dear, that’s all. I think that’s the most important thing, Dharma practicing means. You, all the time you checking how your problem is comes from what kind of mind. You always learning; then you always learning. By realizing attachment you can realize easily when you look at. When you don’t look at, you can never see, even you are becomes oneness with fire. I’m joking. Oh, yah.

I think I don’t need talk too much. I’m very happy just today Geshe Rinpoche’s suggestion that I just meet the Ganden Mahayana Center student. So I just meeting and have Dharma conversation, I’m very happy. Thank you very much, thank you, thank you very much, thank you.

And if you have some question, maybe we go just conversation question/answer, OK? If you have. If you don’t have, doesn’t matter. Thank you.

[Somebody asks Lama something] OK…Dharma questions. Joking. If you have some question, we do. Yes, thank you?

Q. [Mostly inaudible] If we have the Mahayana thought…pleasure to another…suppose you have many…all…what would you…how would you divide…how can you help… [Lama: how you help?] How does one decide?

Lama. Yeah, yeah, yeah, good, good understanding, yes, I think, understand you, OK, good. I saying is that, concerning more others’ enjoyment than oneself, but that does not mean sort of literally, “I want help all living being right now. How can I do right now?” OK? That’s impossible, right now. Why? That’s good point; your question has good point. How? I check up: “I don’t have that much the, I mean, I have potentiality to help all mother sentient beings but now, my mind is limited mind, and wisdom is limited, and action is limited order to help infinite living beings. Real how can I help is by becoming transcendental knowledge wisdom, which is enlightened one.” You becomes infinity and you can, one time, the billion, billion, billions numbers you can transform the different aspect living being and can explain different language and according element of different living being mind. “So, therefore, now, I don’t have that, I cannot do, but I having potentiality to become enlightened one, and then can do.”

OK? You right, yes, you right. Right now I think impossible you embracing, your action is embracing with all mother sentient beings, but when you becomes enlightened, possible. Clear, dear?

So now, you practicing, actually, you practicing eventually your yana, yana, remember, your yana, which is your own positive wisdom thought brings you, or carry you, into enlightenment. That is eventually helping, totally. But now you have limited help; you can do help but your help is limited. OK? Yeah, you tell me some…you tell me now…you clear now?

[tape change]

[Lama] …self-realization, nirvana and concerned only one’s own problem. Through this he reach beyond the ego, the conceptualization of ego, he can reach, but still his help is limited, he cannot help all mother sentient beings. So therefore, who can help all mother sentient being is the enlightened one. OK. So limited mind help only limited action, with limited action.

And especially, you cannot do like that, sort of literally you taking: “I realize”…say, let’s say, “Lama says, I mean, the attachment only concerned my friend or these things is not right so now I going back home, I take all my furniture, cut, cut piece, piece, I give all everybody.” That you cannot do. OK? Clear? Good.

But real emphasize is training mind. Otherwise, look at, this dangerous: “Oh, yeah, Lama is sounds like communist idea. Sounds like his idea is communist idea, so I think all my pocket money is I have to cover everybody as much possible.” That’s not right, OK? That still emotional. The communist idea everybody should be equal is not the true, because mind not training. Another ego trip. Actually, it’s true. Very difficult things. Impossible, I tell you, it’s impossible, with ego, attachment, strong attachment, no solution, no training mind, and say, “Everybody should be equal.” I say impossible, that’s all. Just (? word sounds like porcelain/personal) do but still (same word) control. With gun cannot control. Maybe outside looking control, you understand? OK? Clear? So therefore, the changing oneself attachment to others is end. Equilibrium, those Mahayana meditation is not just the relative, the physical. It the psychological, the mind training, OK? It’s than communist idea equal. OK? Good., very good, yes, all right. You understand now?

Good example Russia now. Russia before, say everybody the equal, now becoming like America. Why? Because attachment there. Attachment there. Everybody want they happy. So same thing. Chinese now, equal, equal, sometimes becomes just like America. Check up. Samsara is circle means, just reality; it’s true. You check up that. Never doubt. It’s not the telepathic something tell Lama. It is so logic; logic is. We can see logically. Don’t think Lama has, “Oh, he predict.” “Oh, he predict some kind of….” Lama has the, logically can check up that. Joking. Arrogant! Completely arrogant part !

Q. I don’t know if I can say this very well [Lama: about what?] My question, but it’s important to know, I think. In Hinayana it seems to say, to me, you tell me if I’m right or wrong [yes, right], don’t kill, don’t steal, don’t do sexual wrong things, and the whole list ten, then it seems like Mahayana says it’s motivation that counts [yes, right], but it seems still at our level of understanding, we still need don’t kill, don’t steal, don’t, don’t…[you need, yes, agree] at this level [yes, agree], and so then I get confused because also Nagarjuna says that the Buddha in his great compassion for all sentient beings said have few possessions and keep yourself well-contained, just because it’s so difficult to know your motivation…Mahayana, [yes], it’s so hard to really, it just seems like we’re still over here, where we still need to have very few possessions and be very Hinayana in our actions…

Lama. True, I agree, yes, it’s true, I agree, it’s very true, I agree, I really hundred percent agree with you. Better, actually better, have less possession than concerned so many object, desirable object, think, “That-this, maybe this, maybe this, maybe this…,” hundred things, becomes more agitated. It’s very true; I agree. That’s why, the Tibetan Buddhism, sort of unity practice, putting Hinayana Mahayana put together, you understand? So the, especially fundamental, not keeping some mental rule, we are mad elephant. You know what I mean? It’s true, I mean that’s very true. I mean, one really want practicing, one sincerely want practicing and sort of meditate, one must keep some mental rule. That makes so easier, so easy; unbelievable easy.

Just like that, example, OK, Chicago airport, thousand people going like that, like that [rushing about], somebody say, “You meditate, you meditate, you meditate,” you understand? It’s impossible. Because why? You opened all sense, like that. Cannot go, like that, one concentration. You right. This is fantastic good example. And also same thing, like that, I make injection for her, like that, [shows digging person with needle], “You meditate, you meditate….” Meditate, meditate, I put here, injection here. The really, sense gravitation attachment, object this doing, just like needle, needle. So the mind automatically agitated condition, so you make yourself difficult. True.

That’s why one lama says, “How much possession you have, then produce more superstition.” It’s true, isn’t it? It’s true. So much concerned, and then paranoid, paranoid. If I have here important things, maybe I always take this way, this taking, I put somewhere, maybe I worry maybe somebody take this. Oh, too much. Mind becomes restless function. Yes, you right. Very important, yes. I think that good experience. It’s true; very important.

And also, according this country, you can have something, you can have big house, you can have refrigerator, you can have one car, you can have this…according this country, it’s not really too much concerned, isn’t it? And not so much effort, sometimes. But having effort, too much effort, every day, morning get up, “What I eat breakfast? This, this, this, this, this, this…what about this, what about this, what about this one?” So much waste time. Incredible. I can see that. Those kinds of things…it’s difficult, isn’t it; really.

So, as much possible to go middle path, very important, and environment, choosing your environment, your mandala is choosing. Chenrezig choosing his mandala like this, OK? So same thing, your everyday life, you choose your own mandala. It’s true, in the way. Very important.Sometimes we are weak, say, “Oh, impossible, impossible, everything is.” We are weak. The human problem is, can stop by human wisdom. So, you make your own mandala according which way you develop. That’s very important. Otherwise say, “Whatever comes, comes; who knows?” sort of. People talk about: “Who knows? Whatever comes, comes.” That’s not true. Of course, one way, your karma is strong. I mean, maybe your intellectual something thinks such way doesn’t work. But one way, you put, your environment, you make according which way you develop. It helps. Yes, good.

Q. Well then, would Milarepa, his mandala would be very simple; just nothing. [pardon?] Everybody has a mandala? Milarepa has a mandala? [Yah] What would that be like?

Lama. Snow mountain is his mandala. No, I means, I talk about mandala is, simple way talk about. Simple means, example, what kind of people, first beginning, what kind of people you spend with time and what kind of house you involving and what conditions you want associate your life. Every night you have dancing or party or all simple life…