Practicing Buddhism in a Pandemic – Geshe Tashi Tsering’s Coronavirus Update 22nd April

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In this extraordinary series, Geshe Tashi gives us regular updates on the Coronavirus Pandemic amongst the Tibetan diaspora in India through the lens of Sera Monastery, home to around 6,000 monks. In response to emails requesting advice on Coronavirus and Buddhist practice, he generously shares his observations, thoughts and teachings in his usual warm-hearted and accessible style.

 

In this episode, Geshe Tashi comments on the fourth verse from Lama Tsongkhapa’s “The Essence of a Human Life.”  While this human life is a life of constant troubles, pain and sufferings, it is also a life of unmatched opportunity.

 

It may be a confusing, difficult time, but Geshe Tashi urges us once again to make use of our potential, and to train our minds while we still can.  We found it hard not to flinch at his astute descriptions of negative pride.  As Buddhist practitioners, he urges us to live our life for our future lives and for our long-term spiritual goals, not just for our pride, not just for the pleasures and enjoyments of this life. 

 

Even if we win the competition and live to 114 years old, our life is still very short, and death will soon come.

 

Geshe Tashi finishes with an explanation of the first of the Eight Fears that Tara can help us overcome.  We have plenty to look forward to!

 

The Essence of a Human Life (verse 4)

Words of Advice for the Lay Practitioner

 

Death will definitely come and will quickly come.

Should you neglect to train your thoughts

again and again on such certainties

you will grow no virtuous mind,

and even if you do, it will be spent

on enjoyment of the glories of this life.

 

p.211 The Splendour of an Autumn Moon, Lama Tsongkhapa, trans. Gavin Kilty.

 

Today, unfortunately, we must add the suffering of Wifi to our long daily list. The gaps aren’t too long, however, and we think you’ll find the underlying message a powerful one just the same.   We wish you well, and hope you enjoy.

https://geshetashi.org/

https://foundationsofbuddhistthought.org/

 

Khen Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsering taught in London for over 25 years and is currently Abbot of Sera Mey Monastery in Karnataka State, India.

This Post Has 10 Comments

  1. Jane Sill

    Dear Geshe la

    Many, many thanks again. We have also had rain after a long gap for UK!

    Love to all

    Jane

  2. Shelley

    I am a little behind on these wonderful teachings but how precious this morning to have the opportunity to wake and listen. The laziness of many meaningless tasks really resonated with me – so easy to label them as meaningful too and be carried away in a whirlwind of them!
    Thank you as always Geshe la. I couldn’t hear it but wonderful to imagine the sound of the rain on the rooves there. We are much in need of some rain here in Norfolk too so look forward to the sound on our conservatory roof!

  3. Joyce Batten

    Oh I,m working my way backwards date wise thou these talks…. so encouraging and uplifting…. Thank you for the laughter .

  4. Galia Saouma

    Reading and commenting excerpts from two powerful texts by Lama Tsonkappa. and the first Dalaï Lama Is such a treat, and eye opener.
    Thank you for sharing also small moments of life in Mungod.
    It is very special and stimulating.
    Thank you so much

  5. Genevieve

    Thank you very much! Once again I have been able to learn so much and this in such a kind, wise and poetic way. The pride-lion appeared several time in my mind this afternoon, which is good; I hardly would have been able to look deeper into the corresponding situations otherwise. Your teaching conversations are very encouraging indeed.

  6. Shirley

    Tashi delek
    With the best will in the world, sometimes things do not go according to plan. We are living in unprecedented, stressful times. But as long as buddha’s words live in our hearts, we have the best way of coping.
    Jeh yong

  7. Devam Hendry

    Dear Geshela,
    Your talk was so helpful today. Very meaningful to me,
    Please live long. Maybe not a hundred and fourteen years!

  8. Brian

    Thanks Geshela and Admins of course – there were a couple of gliches in transmission – no worse than embarking on our local road system and having to wait for the lights to change – the audio never faltered throughout – a lot of worldwide network traffic we all have to contend with at present…

  9. Ros Williams

    Dear Geshela
    I have to admit I and others whom you have taught miss you very badly. – I don’t think that is good English !
    I have ‘The Splendour of an Autumn moon ‘
    but the words are changed slightly. also translated by Gavin Kilty. Thank you so much Geshe’la very enjoyable talk

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