08/25/2024
Here is a bit of wisdom to consider.
"We have a confused mind, don’t we?
However, if we were totally confused with no way out, then we’d just have to accept it.
But that’s not the case. We do have a mind that is not confused.
If our mind had no potential for liberation or freedom, there would be no point in trying to understand the different types of suffering. In that case, it would be fine to simply enjoy the fleeting pleasures we experience day after day.
But that's not the case. Our basic mind is very precious.
There is a mind within us that is completely free from all suffering. We don't have to search for it outside; it’s present within each and every sentient being. It's not something we have to find or create anew. It abides in the nature of our minds.
We don’t need to ask anyone else for it—it’s something that every sentient being possesses. As long as a sentient being has the wish to avoid suffering and the desire to be happy—which applies to everyone—then we all have what is called the Tathagatagarbha or Buddha nature. This means we are capable of achieving liberation and have all that is necessary to become enlightened. So, it's not just an empty wish to think, "Oh, we can become enlightened." It's something we can truly witness.
In the past, many holy beings on this very planet in this world have shown us this potential. If we've never heard of them or don't know about them, that's a different story. But all the people who know these holy beings have great respect, faith and value them deeply.
But not only do we fail to see the extremely precious potential we have within ourselves, we also fall under the sway of our confused mindset. We are deceived by our own confusion, which we call self-grasping ignorance. Because of this, we harm ourselves and others. The nature of this mind is entirely negative and contradicts the actual way phenomena abide. It brings only suffering, both temporarily and ultimately, yet we still entrust ourselves to this mindset. We take refuge in it, becoming slaves to self-grasping ignorance and confusion.
If we wonder who is capable of seeing this very precious mind—untainted by any negativity or suffering—it is no one else but human beings. Other types of beings cannot see it but we, as human beings, can recognize something so precious. This explains why we say that the precious human rebirth is very difficult to find and extremely valuable because of the opportunity it provides us to see this truth.
If we are able to move in the direction of this precious mindset, even just a little, such a person will definitely become more relaxed, more honest and kinder." - Khandro Kunga Bhuma Rinpoche
