In this teaching, His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin shares with us wholeheartedly the essence of a proper, real, and genuine Dharma practice, and provides a simple and clear set of instructions for us to apply the Dharma teachings in our daily lives.

HH42 How To Apply The Buddhadharma In Our Daily Life

His Holiness the 43rd Sakya Trizin, Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, bestowed this talk in Montroyo, Spain, at the request of Sangchen Norbu Ling, Spain, on August 15, 2023. 

Introduction to the Teaching:
Buddha Shakyamuni dedicated six years to ascetic practices, enduring unimaginable hardships in pursuit of enlightenment, but these efforts did not result in buddhahood. It was only upon realizing the importance of balance—or steering clear of extremes—that he achieved enlightenment while seated under the bodhi tree. His teachings centered on the truths of existence—the four noble truths and the two truths (relative and ultimate)—and one way we can understand them is by speaking of balance. It is a key to realizing ultimate truth, and it is also essential for peace of mind in general. This concise yet profound teaching invites you to rediscover yourself and your life.

Inner Balance

His Holiness the Sakya Trichen (the 41st Sakya Trizin) gave this two-day teaching at the request of the Singapore Buddha Sasana Society (Sakya Tenphel Ling) on March 10 and 11, 2009. 

Introduction to the Teaching:
Bodhicitta, the mind of enlightenment, is a central concept for practitioners of the Mahāyāna path, representing the commitment to attaining buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings. As followers of this tradition, we are reminded to arise, uphold, and cultivate bodhicitta, ensuring that all our actions—even the pursuit of buddhahood—are dedicated to the welfare of all beings.

But what does it truly mean to cultivate, uphold, and practice bodhicitta? How does this connect to the bodhisattva vow and its conferment ceremony?

The practice of bodhicitta is profound, enduring from the moment we embark on the Mahāyāna path until the ultimate goal of full awakening, much like a marathon. Its depth lies in training the mind to serve others and refining it—eliminating subtle self-cherishing and attachment.

This teaching on the bodhisattva vows addresses these questions and explores the points raised above, offering essential tools for mental transformation. To aid in understanding, the editorial team has included simple illustrations to clarify these complex precepts, making them more accessible. We hope these visuals enhance your study.

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The Bodhisattva Vows

His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin, Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, delivered this talk on January 16, 2022, at Tsechen Kunchab Ling, U.S.A., in commemoration of the mahāparinirvāṇa anniversary of Sakya Paṇḍita.

Introduction to the Teaching:
Sakya Paṇḍita, a luminary of the 13th century, remains one of the most revered figures in Tibetan Buddhism. As the fourth Sakya patriarch, he is celebrated for his profound wisdom, both scholarly and spiritual achievements, and unwavering dedication to the Dharma. His pivotal role—extending beyond the Sakya tradition into Tibetan Buddhism as a whole—has left an enduring legacy. His life, embodying the virtues of moral integrity and spiritual excellence, continues to inspire practitioners.</p>

His remarkable life has been documented in various accounts, each highlighting different facets of his extraordinary qualities. This particular text draws upon a hymn to Sakya Paṇḍita composed by the esteemed Sakya teacher, Yarlungpa Sengé Gyaltsen. Recounted by His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin, the hymn offers a glimpse into his noble qualities and achievements. The translation and editorial team has meticulously rendered this hymn, accompanied by illustrations that bring to life some of his most remarkable attributes.

Through this work, we are invited to reflect on his virtuous life and be inspired to cultivate noble qualities. May we follow in the footsteps of such great beings.</p>

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A Brief Hagiography of Sakya Paṇḍita

His Holiness the 43rd Sakya Trizin, Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, gave this advice online on February 10, 2024, at the request of the Vajrayana Sakya Manjushri Center in Taipei, Taiwan. 

Introduction to the Teaching:
Many people understand the teachings of the Buddha to be a religion. While it may incorporate religious elements to cater to certain mental inclinations, its essence lies in the pursuit of truth—the truth that leads to ultimate happiness. We can easily become engrossed in various methods and practices, losing sight of this fundamental goal. Therefore, His Holiness emphasizes the significance of seemingly basic ideas like taking refuge, faith, and dedication. 

This teaching serves as a much-needed reminder of the essence of the Buddhist path, and the editorial team was delighted to engage with this text. We hope that each of you experiences the same joy.

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Advice Before the Maitreya Initiation

His Holiness the Sakya Trichen (the 41st Sakya Trizin) gave this public talk at the request of Karma Tashi Ling Buddhist Center, Oslo, Norway, on July 27, 2023.

Introduction to the Teaching:
All of us—rich or poor, educated or uneducated, old or young, regardless of skin color, social status, or beliefs—share a common longing. Whether we admit it or not, deep down, we all seek happiness and wish to avoid negativity, disappointment, obstacles, and anything we perceive as unpleasant.

The Buddha embarked on this very quest and discovered the path to a true, genuine, and lasting state of happiness. While this path is vast and profound, many beginner practitioners feel overwhelmed, unsure of where or how to start. Even seasoned practitioners sometimes lose their way.

This text is for you! His Holiness presents essential elements of the path—fundamental yet often overlooked. It’s a refreshing and inspiring read, offering new insights to guide and enrich practitioners at every stage of their journey.

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True Happiness and the Power of Compassion

His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin, Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, gave this talk on August 9, 2014, at National Taiwan University, Taiwan. The event was hosted by the Taipei Vajrayana Sakya Manjushri Center, and co-hosted by the Language Training and Testing Center and the Department of Chinese, National Taiwan University.

Introduction to the Teaching:
Have you ever asked yourself: what is the mind? Do you really understand yours?

Mind is the source of both our happiness and our sorrow, shaping every emotion, thought, and action. The mind—often referred to as consciousness—encompasses our inner experience. From our deepest feelings to our physical actions and spoken words, all are influenced and shaped by this powerful force within us. Every experience we encounter, whether positive or negative, arises from the workings of the mind.

Although the mind is a vast and profound subject, this teaching offers a glimpse into its depths, helping us begin to understand how it functions. By learning to recognize and train our mind, we open the door to cultivating positive outcomes and a joyful life. This is the essence of the teaching, aptly titled Mind and Life.

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Mind and Life

His Holiness the 43rd Sakya Trizin, Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, gave this teaching online on February 15, 2022, before and after bestowing the Yellow Jambhala initiation, at the request of the Taipei Vajrayana Sakya Manjushri Center.

Introduction to the Teaching:
Wealth is a pursuit that occupies much of people’s lives. But in Buddhism, wealth deity practices aren’t about fueling endless desire. They are skillful, compassionate means—using wealth as a support to help practitioners move forward on the path of liberation and, ultimately, awakening.

Think of it like a car: useful for reaching a destination, but neither the vehicle nor the act of driving is the goal itself.

So—does receiving a wealth deity empowerment mean our wishes will come true? Will it bring wealth, blessings, even liberation? What does it really mean to connect with the empowerment's blessings? Is its essence found only in the ritual? And does practicing the Dharma require us to turn away from all worldly concerns?

In this article, His Holiness addresses these very questions—dispersing confusion, revealing key insights, and guiding us toward deeper understanding and authentic practice.

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HH43_Advice Before and After a Jambhala Initiation

His Holiness the Sakya Trichen (the 41st Sakya Trizin) gave this public talk at the request of a local community in New York City in April 2014.

Mindfulness is widely known and practiced by many, including those outside the Buddhist tradition. However, the mindfulness commonly used outside Dharma is not the same as the mindfulness taught by the Buddha as part of the noble eightfold path. In his first sermon, the Buddha presented these eight factors as the roadmap to liberation.

Unfortunately, many—including our fellow Buddhist siblings—have been sidetracked by a different misunderstanding: they mistakenly think Dharma and Dharma practice are purely religious or distant from everyday life. Some have forgotten that, no matter how esoteric a practice may seem, Dharma is ultimately down-to-earth and can be applied amid the hustle and bustle of daily life, even while caring for family. Dharma practice is not limited to quiet cushion time or retreat caves.

In this teaching, His Holiness reminded us what constitutes the genuine Dharma path and how mindfulness, right thinking, and remembering are fundamentally connected to it. He also emphasized that these so-called “common foundations” are essential for anyone who truly wishes to progress on the path.

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Mindfulness and the Buddhist Path: A Public Talk

His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin, Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, delivered this talk on January 24, 2022, at Tsechen Kunchab Ling, U.S.A., in commemoration of the mahāparinirvāṇa anniversary of Drogön Chögyal Phagpa. 

Introduction to the Teaching:
Drogön Chögyal Phagpa, the fifth Sakya patriarch, is an extraordinary figure in Tibetan history. He was an accomplished Buddhist teacher who was given the esteemed title of Dishi, or preceptor to the emperor Kublai Khan, who founded the Yuan Dynasty. Drogön Chögyal Phagpa became both the temporal and spiritual leader over the Land of Snow, and he made far-reaching contributions to the spread of Buddhism across the entire Himalayan region, and especially in Mongolia. It would be difficult to overstate the magnitude of his noble deeds for the Dharma and his influence on the subsequent history of Tibet. The following account from His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin is a fascinating introduction to the remarkable life of this master.

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HH42 How To Apply The Buddhadharma In Our Daily Life

The Sakya Tradition