Author: Lama Zopa Rinpoche
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A mantra works in two ways: externally as a sacred sound that carries a blessing, and internally as a tool to transform our mind into one that is more compassionate and wise. – loc. 94
When we rely on external discipline, we can never solve our problems. The discipline has to come from our own mind. – loc. 180
We develop compassion without any barrier. Whether somebody likes us or not, whatever their beliefs, we only want them to have happiness and its causes and to be free from suffering and its causes. – loc. 206
The Buddha has infinite times more compassion and love for us than we have for ourselves, and the power of the mantra comes through the power of Buddha’s omniscient mind. – loc. 220
The motivation we should strive for is bodhichitta: we should recite the mantra to become enlightened in order to lead all other beings to enlightenment. – loc. 292
What are these subtle defilements? They are the subtle negative imprints left on the mental continuum by the concept of inherent existence. – loc. 974
We are living in a time when the five degenerations are flourishing: the degenerations of mind, lifespan, sentient beings, time, and view. All the other degenerations basically come from the first, the degeneration of mind. Because we sentient beings have not developed our minds in spiritual paths, ignorance, anger, desire, and other delusions have increased and become very gross. This has resulted in the degeneration of lifespan, with the average life expectancy becoming progressively shorter than when human beings first appeared in this world system.” It has also led to the degeneration of sentient beings, whose minds have become very stubborn and difficult to subdue. It is increasingly difficult for us to practice patience, lovingkindness, compassion, and so forth. The degeneration of time is shown by the escalation of wars and natural disasters such as earthquakes, droughts, famines, and epidemics. Finally, there is the degeneration of view, with fewer people believing the truth and more people believing lies and wrong explanations, such as believing that virtue is not the cause of happiness and nonvirtue is not the cause of suffering. – loc. 1716
Regret is not guilt; it is not living your life weighed down by guilt. Regret is the wisdom to see you have harmed yourself and others by doing that action. When you see that, the resolve not to repeat the action comes naturally. With regret comes the power to change the situation. – loc. 2078
One way we can do this is to say mantras to them whenever we encounter them. Although the animal has no logical understanding, there is power in the mantra that can help purify their delusions. – loc. 2523
Of course, that doesn’t mean you should drive over rabbits or dogs or children! As a policeman drags you to prison, you can’t really tell them you did it because you have a mantra in the car! I suspect that would be inadmissible in a court case. – loc. 2549
When our mind is about to slip into negativity, reciting a mantra protects us, keeping it virtuous. – loc. 2680
A mantra is like a flame that can burn up all our negative karma. – loc. 2680
To do this practice, you need to transform yourself into the form of a deity. You don’t just change a truly existent human body into a truly existent deity body; it is not like that. First you purify the truly existent I in emptiness by looking at the real I as empty, as it is empty. Then, your wisdom of realizing emptiness, which is nondual with great bliss, manifests as a deity. Usually you arise as the main deity with whom you have a karmic connection and by means of which you will achieve enlightenment most quickly. However, if you are doing a deity retreat, you can arise as that deity. You are only allowed to clarify yourself as a deity after having received a great initiation of a lower tantra or highest yoga tantra deity. If you haven’t received a great initiation, you can visualize yourself as Guru Shakyamuni Buddha. – loc. 3472