Kopan Lam Rim Retreat

Kopan Lam Rim Retreat 2019
Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu, Nepal //  December 19-25, 2019

KEY

karma
delusions
emptiness and dependent arising
guru devotion
impermanence
meditation techniques / path of practice
compassion
precepts and refuge
mind

reincarnation

  • Day 1

    • Mind and Its Potential
      • Where does the flame of a candle go when it is blown out?  Where does the mind go upon the death of the body?  Energy cannot be created or destroyed...
      • Mind is formless, interdependent, conventionally valid, and empty.  Where does a formless entity go when the form it inhabits turns to an uninhabitable, deceased body?
      • Body is dependently arisen from elements/matter that already exist (sex cells + food nourishment in the womb + food/water nourishment in life post-utero).  Mind is formless, so where would it arise from if not beginningless and transferred?
    • Impermanence
      • Karma Rabrib: the phenomena in the verses are meant to indicate emptiness and impermanence (star, butter lamp flame, dew drop, water bubble, lightning, cloud)
    • 8 Worldly Concerns
      • The things not motivated by the 8 worldly dharmas (pleasure vs. pain, gain vs. loss, praise vs. blame, fame vs. disrepute) are what really make life meaningful/bring real happiness.  For me: meditation, dharma practice/study, art.
        • Could it merely be a function of what my motivation is?
    • Death Process
      • Knowledge is the opposite of fear.  Fear is usually rooted in not understanding something.  We need not fear death.
      • Goal: to die happily, look forward to clear light state.  If not: die without fear.  If not: die without regret.
      • The more we familiarize ourselves with the process, the less fear we'll have when the time comes.
    • Samatha
      • Meant to be a relaxed, focused activity of concentration, but not a relaxation technique of lazy spacing out.  Focused.

  • Day 2

    • Perfect Human Rebirth
      • As humans, we have the opportunity to make every moment of our lives meaningful.  Up to us to not waste it!
    • 3 Lower Realms
      • Cause for rebirth in animal realm: ignorance
      • Cause for rebirth in hungry ghost (preta) realm: attachment
      • Cause for rebirth in hell realm: aversion
      • Tong Len: breathe in/take on these beings' sufferings and their causes; give them antidotes (wisdom, relief, peace)
    • Refuge
      • In Tibetan, words for going for refuge in Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha mean "becoming an inner being"
      • Dharma is what we are actually taking refuge in.
      • Guru is meant to represent 3 jewels; body = sangha, speech = dharma, mind = buddha
    • Karma
      • Everything that happens in our lives is the ripening of a karmic imprint, dependent on the conditions at the time of ripening
    • Samatha
      • 3 qualities: relaxed, stable, clear attention on object
      • Way to check on quality of meditation session: how is mind after session?  Sleepy?  Alert?  Clear?  Fuzzy?
      • When attention wanders, take it by the hand and bring it back to the object.

  • Day 3

    • Suffering
      • There is not a single object of sensory pleasure that does not ultimately make us suffer (suffering of change -> suffering of pain).  If there were, the object would only grow increasingly blissful the more you have of it.
      • "There is nothing to trust in samsara." (suffering of uncertainty)
      • Following desire is like drinking salt water. (suffering of dissatisfaction)
      • Suffering of having no companion (loneliness): truth that everything we experience, we, in fact, experience alone.
      • It's no wonder why we suffer so much; we cling to samsaric pleasure as if it could possibly last, but inevitably, it can't.
    • Wheel of Life
      • The way to cut the process of the 12 links of dependent arising is at the root: IGNORANCE, ego-grasping, by using tool of wisdom realizing emptiness.
    • Attachment
      • Root of suffering = self-centeredness
      • Root of happiness = consideration for others
      • Problem with attachment: keeps us in samsara
      • Pleasures obtained from attachment are conditional, depending on temporary circumstances, so of course they don't last!  Attachment wants to convince otherwise.  Delusion.
      • Aim: increase love/loving-kindness, let go of attachment.
    • Anger
      • Turning anger into compassion; enables forgiveness.
      • Owning 50% of whatever you're angry about, then generating compassion for you and other; holding anger only harms you.
      • Looking at those who make you angry as teachers of tolerance to be grateful for.
    • Mahamudra
      • Keeping a loose, relaxed focus on the activity of the mind.  Watching vigilantly and labeling.
      • Do all the time in daily life!
      • The more we want it to work, the less it will.  Relax.

  • Day 4

    • Equanimity
      • Basis for bodhicitta.  2 ways to cultivate: meditate on how all others are the same to each other (friends, enemies, strangers), and then on how all others are the same as us (equalizing/exchanging self for others).
      • Understand how fleeting our relationships are - how quickly a friend could turn into an enemy or a stranger to a friend, etc - gives great insight into emptiness.  The person did not change in regard to their aim to be happy and not suffer; ergo, our compassion for them should remain consistent, regardless of our feelings.
    • Kindness of Mother/All Sentient Beings
      • A mother's kindness is the epitome of exchanging self for others.  Her priority is on your happiness/wellbeing.
      • Every single thing that enhances/enables your quality of life is a consequence of the conglomerate kindness of innumerable beings (your clothes, food, shelter, environment...) / Everything that is troublesome to you is, as well, because it prompts you to follow the spiritual path.  Only makes sense to dedicate our lives to repaying the kindnesses all beings have shown to us.
    • Downfalls of Self-Cherishing
      • All killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct comes from cherishing self above others.  So does jealousy, anger, pride, etc.
      • Source of all of our suffering = self-cherishing mind.  "I" as so important.
      • What would happen if we truly cherished others like ourselves?
    • Giving/Taking (Tong Len)
      • 3 practices => 
        1. Breathe IN destroy self-cherishing // Breathe OUT give you what you need (for loved ones)
        2. Breathe IN destroy self-cherishing // Breathe OUT nourish you (for the hungry)
        3. Breathe IN manifest buddha-nature // Breathe OUT freedom from ignorance (for all)
    • Samatha: Awareness of Awareness
      • Most subtle, so simple.  Awareness of being conscious through not attending to any object, and thus noticing being aware, itself.
      • Noticing: not dead, conscious!

  • Day 5

    • Samatha
      • Option for practice:
        • Motivation/refuge -> 3 five minute sessions of calm-abiding -> dedication
        1. Awareness of breath
        2. Awareness of mind
        3. Awareness
    • Benefits of Cherishing Others
      • Source of all suffering: cherishing self
      • Source of all happiness: cherishing others
      • All beings are the same in our desire to avoid suffering and in not being content with the happiness we have.
      • Way to help: destroy desire to be happy for ME.  Increase desire to make OTHERS happy.
    • Benefits of Bodhicitta
      • Bodhicitta: awakening mind
      • 2 kinds: aspiring and actualizing
      • Aspiring to be a source of happiness for all who encounter you
      • Aspiring to help all beings, including (perhaps especially) ones who harm.
      • Aim to free self from suffering is necessary to generate desire/means to do so for others.
    • 4 Point Analysis
      • When reciting/meditating on the Heart Sutra, always insert the word "independent" to get the true meaning.  (e.g., "There is no [independent] form, no [independent] feeling, etc.)
      • When doing 4 point analysis on "self," remember that it is not the conventional self you are looking for, but the inherent, independently existing self.  Remember example of letter M.  Causally conditioned, dependent on parts, dependent on mind labeling.  Not there independently/intrinsically.
    • Chenrezig Meditation
      • (prayer book p. 83)
      • For sake of nor harming others: "Vigilant, the moment a delusion appears in my mind, endangering myself and others, I shall confront and avert it without delay."

  • Day 6

    • Guru Devotion/Rejoice
      • Crucial when choosing a guru to really examine their qualities for yourself!  Don't blindly accept them because others do or they are famous.
      • Profoundly beneficial to rejoice for the merits/joy of others.  Multiplies the positivity.
    • Ani Karin Q & A
      • Clinging to "self" is exhausting!  Makes us tired.  Those who realize emptiness are less tired.
      • Lumbini: Sakya monastery
      • Bud of Buddha nature: hands folded prayer mudra
        • Left hand = wisdom realizing emptiness
        • Right hand = compassion/loving kindness
        • Thumbs folded in to center to represent buddha nature at center
        • Not yet fully bloomed/open
Location: Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

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