Buddhist Ngondro Video 4: Overcoming the Obstacles of Irritation and Sleepy Mind –– a Foundation Practice Teaching from Venerable Acharya Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
In part four of his video teachings on Ngondro Foundation Teachings, Venerable Zasep Tulku Rinpoche discusses two of the biggest obstacles to practice and their antidotes: irritating monkey mind and sleepy mind — perhaps the biggest problems in modern practice due to the distractions of busy lifestyles. In parts one, two and three of this series on Vajrayana Foundation Practices, Rinpoche explained the four “outer preliminaries” and the obstacles to dharma practice such as doubt, fear, and restlessness, and how to overcome them.
Zasep Tulku Rinpoche is the spiritual head of many temples and meditations centres in Canada, U.S. and Australia and tours worldwide from Mongolia to Mexico to Australia, to Canada and the U.S. His autobiography, A Tulku’s Journey from Tibet to Canada, releases November 12, 2016. (Review of this much anticipated autobiography will soon follow in Buddha Weekly.) He will be teaching at Gaden Choling Toronto in November and December of this year (schedule at bottom of this feature).
Highlights
“The obstacle of irritation… you’ll find irritations everywhere.”
“Internal irritation… the monkey mind”
“Sometimes you can be irritated by not understanding the practice.”
“Another obstacle is dullness of mind or sleepy mind.”
“Some people have doubts about meditation.”
“Dharma practice shouldn’t be used for worldly purposes.”
“The antidote for sleepy mind…”
“There is a subtle dullness… you can get confused between subtle dullness and calm abiding mind.”
“The obstacle of grasping, wanting, attachment…”
“If you have any questions…” Rinpoche answers student questions.
“When you meditate on Mahamudra, you see your mind.”
“First you do foundations… then you can move on…”
COMING SOON — PART FIVE
Guru Yoga Foundation Practices of Vajrayana Buddhism.
About Archarya Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Rinpoche is popularly known for his approachable teaching style, strong humor and teachings based on a long lineage of great lamas. His own gurus included the most celebrated of Gelug teachers: His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, His Holiness Kyabje Ling Rinpoche, Venerable Geshe Thupten Wanggyel, His Holiness Kyabje Zong Rinpoche, Venerable Lati Rinpoche, Venerable Tara Tulku Rinpoche and Venerable Khalkha Jetsun Dampa Rinpoche.
Rinpoche is spiritual director of many temples, meditation centers and retreat centers in Australia, the United States and Canada. He was first invited to teach in Australia by Lama Thubten Yeshe in 1976.
Parts One, Two and Three:
Video: Buddhist Teachings on Ngondro, The Foundation Practices with Venerable Zasep Rinpoche
More articles by this author
Video teaching: Metta and Karuna, the “most important” Buddhist practices of Love and Compassion, from H.E. Zasep Tulku Rinpoche
Venerable Zasep Rinpoche Teaching: Buddhist Naga Practice is Helpful to Heal Environment — Full Sadhana Translated
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Venerable Zasep Rinpoche
Author | Buddha Weekly
Rinpoche is spiritual head of many Dharma Centres, and teaches around the world. Originally from Kham province in Tibet (born 1948) Rinpoche has taught in the west since 1976, after he was first invited by Geshe Thubten Loden and Lama Yeshe to teach at the Chenrezig Institute in Australia. Today, he is spiritual head of the Gaden for the West centres in Canada, U.S., and Australia and also spiritual director of the the charities Gaden Relief Project (Canada) and Manlha Tus NGO (Mongolia). He is the author of three books, including his latest release in 2018 with a rare English commentary and practice instructions for Gelug Mahamudra.
