Lama Zopa Rinpoche full length teachings

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:03:33 Remembering the suffering of sentient beings in samsara, we should strive to achieve enlightenment as quickly as possible to liberate them. Practicing guru yoga, as past yogis did, enables achieving enlightenment in one brief lifetime. 00:04:09 The foundation of tantric practice is guru yoga, which involves generating very strong devotion. This is what enabled past masters like Milarepa and Lama Tsongkhapa's disciples to achieve enlightenment in a brief lifetime. 00:07:22 Rinpoche explains the benefits of reciting the Clouds of Offerings Mantra. 00:32:30 Rinpoche continues leading the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga and gives instructions on how to do visualizations. 01:51:15 Rinpoche gives an extensive teaching on benefits of doing prostrations. 02:32:02 Rinpoche continues teachings and leads dedication prayers. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Rinpoche leads the motivation for the practice. 00:18:15 Rinpoche leads the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 The stanza "To not commit any unwholesome action, engage in perfect wholesome action, and subdue one's mind - this is the teaching of the Buddha" contains the Four Noble Truths. 00:16:06 The minute when one cherishes the I, one has a problem in life. The stronger one cherishes the I, even a small thing that didn’t happen exactly is regarded a huge problem, it become huge disturbance to oneself. 01:51:02 Doing actions with bodhicitta motivation is the best Dharma. Even eating, walking, sitting, sleeping, and doing jobs with a pure mind unstained by self-cherishing becomes Dharma. 02:04:05 The self-cherishing thought is the root of all problems in life. Cherishing the "I" brings no real peace or happiness, while cherishing others with loving-kindness brings joy and peace. 03:17:12 Guru devotion practice protects the mind. Looking at the guru as a buddha and following their advice is the "emergency practice" and brings quick realizations on the path to enlightenment. 04:31:00 Dedicating that all sentient beings never generate negative thoughts towards the guru, be guided by qualified gurus, and realize emptiness. May all the organization's projects, social services, and centers be successful and beneficial by receiving all necessary funding. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 The purpose of the preliminary prayers is to pacify obstacles to achieving full enlightenment and the complete qualities of cessation and realization, for oneself and others. 00:11:14 Lama Tsongkhapa emphasized bodhicitta in every teaching. Seeking enlightenment for oneself alone results in a limited realization. One must seek enlightenment to benefit all sentient beings. 00:43:52 Buddhas liberate sentient beings by revealing the ultimate truth and reality, which is the teaching of the perfection of wisdom. This is the heart of the 84,000 teachings of the Buddha. 01:21:15 Practicing kindness, forgiveness, tolerance, and rejoicing in others’ happiness keep the mind peaceful and joyful. Even without deep realizations, these basic practices make one a good human being and bring peace to the world. Ultimately, realizing emptiness—the heart of the Heart Sutra—leads to liberation from samsara. 01:41:16 Without depending on the guru appearing in ordinary aspect, even if there are countless buddhas, they cannot guide you to enlightenment. The guru in ordinary aspect is most precious. 02:47:42 In daily life, practice mindfulness of looking at the nature of phenomena as empty. This helps control delusions from arising. Even if one doesn't have realizations, strong faith in Lama Tsongkhapa's explanation of emptiness gives hope to realize it in the future. 03:27:07 In this retreat, even if one is unable to finish 100,000 migtsemas, if one achieves realization of guru devotion, one will have succeeded. That’s the main goal, the main objective of doing this Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga. We’re not looking for the number of mantras; we’re looking for realizations. 04:07:03 Rinpoche leads extensive dedications. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Even if you practice tantra with great hardship for eons, you cannot achieve enlightenment if you make mistakes in devoting to the guru. 00:03:06 Rinpoche mentioned the story about Milarepa recognizing Padampa Sangye who had manifested as a flower to test him. 00:05:21 Padampa Sangye advised the people of Tingri that if they treat guru as more special than the Buddha, they will achieve realizations and enlightenment in one life. 00:09:03 Since the Je Drubkangpa's mind was so obscured that he couldn't generate devotion to one of his gurus, he never achieved realizations despite meditating on lamrim for many years. 00:32:32 The main objective of guru devotion is to see the guru as a Buddha. The more stable this devotion is, the more one is able to see the guru as a Buddha regardless of the guru's external appearance or behavior. 00:52:14 Since due to obscurations, disciples cannot see the guru's qualities, the guru has no choice but to appear in an ordinary form to guide disciples. This ordinary appearance is therefore the guru's utmost kindness. 01:12:13 The conclusion is that the real guru is the embodiment of all the Buddhas' qualities. Recognizing this is the realization to strive for in guru yoga practice. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Rinpoche dedicates the recitation of Heart Sutra for the health and stable life of Ribur Rinpoche and tells a short story about how he met and received teachings from Ribur Rinpoche. 00:12:30 The group recites the Praise to Buddha Shakyamuni and the Heart Sutra. 00:22:35 Rinpoche tells stories about how prayers, pujas, and meditation on emptiness by some lamas in Tibet were used to eliminate obstacles for travelling. 00:40:35 Rinpoche advises that meditating on the emptiness of sickness, relationship problems, or other obstacles, even briefly, becomes a powerful practice to purify their causes. Looking at the three spheres of giver, receiver, and action as empty is helpful for overcoming spiritual harms. 00:46:40 Rinpoche and students recite Heart Sutra, Lion-faced Dakini, and other prayers. 00:54:50 Rinpoche leads extensive offerings of all the holy objects, statues, stupas, scriptures etc. in the ten directions to the Three Jewels, making offerings to each one individually to collect merit. The motivation of making offerings should be for the happiness of every single sentient being. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Rinpoche shares the story of the incredible attainments of the ascetic monk Gen Jampa Wangdu. 00:31:25 Rinpoche explains the importance of making good quality offerings and the benefits of various offerings according to scriptures. 00:53:00 Rinpoche leads the group practice of offerings and mandala offering. 01:00:56 Recitation of migtsemas and dedications. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Preliminary prayers and Rinpoche leads the motivation and practice of Four Immeasurables. 00:14:45 Rinpoche leads the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga and leads the motivation for extensive offerings. 00:35:12 Rinpoche gives a commentary to the text by Pabongkha Dechen Nyingpo, the essence of which is confession based on generation of intense regret over the vast negative karmas accumulated from beginningless rebirths. 01:03:38 The group chants the confession prayer from Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga and Rinpoche gives a commentary on how to do visualizations while doing the practice of Vajrasattva in the context of Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga. 01:09:48 Rinpoche leads the practice of Vajrasattva. 01:35:10 Rinpoche leads the practice of rejoicing and requesting to turn the wheel of Dharma. 01:43:10 The group recites Migtsemas and prayers from Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga and Lama Chopa Jorcho. 02:25:37 Rinpoche leads the extensive dedication prayers. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Rinpoche explains the benefits and meanings of several mantras: mantras for blessing the speech, Chenrezig mantra, and other mantras. By reciting these mantras, the negative karma of anyone who sees, touches oneself or hears one's voice gets purified. 01:05:35 Rinpoche leads the practice of Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Lama Zopa Rinpoche leads the motivation for the practice of Confession of a Bodhisattva's Downfalls to the Thirty-Five Buddhas. 00:10:45 Rinpoche does the practice of Confession of a Bodhisattva's Downfalls to the Thirty-Five Buddhas with students. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:01:45 Rinpoche leads a reflection on the nature of samsara and three types of suffering. 00:08:03 Why do we need to take refuge in the Three Jewels? Guru, Buddha, Dharma and Sangha have the perfect power and qualities to liberate oneself and all sentient beings from the oceans of samsaric suffering and its causes. 00:27:22 The four immeasurable thoughts - equanimity, loving kindness, compassion and joy - is a preliminary practice, but it is an important practice as it is about making a very important decision to transform one's life to benefit all sentient beings. 00:29:40 Rinpoche explains the meaning of jin lab, blessings of the Guru. 00:52:05 The power of regret and how to do the practice of confession. 01:05:20 By rejoicing in Lama Tsongkhapa’s qualities and extensive holy deeds, one creates the cause, sooner or later, to be able to complete the path. One creates the cause to be able to have unmistaken realization of Lama Tsongkhapa’s path and to offer extensive benefit to sentient beings and the teaching of Buddha, the same as Lama Tsongkhapa did. 01:29:30 The group recites prayers Requesting to Turn the Dharma Wheel and Dedication, Special Request for the Three Great Purposes, The Foundation of All Good Qualities, and final dedications. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:59 Reading Lamrim prayer leaves a positive imprint of the whole path to enlightenment in a few minutes. 00:27:45 Rinpoche tells how deity retreats have been set up. Rinpoche included certain prayers and specific dedications to be recited at the end of each session. The most common prayers recited during deity retreats are King of Prayers, Prayer to Be Reborn in the Land of Bliss, Prayer for the Flourishing of Je Tsongkhapa’s Teachings and others. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:01 Rinpoche tells about the meaning of negation in the Heart Sutra. "No" doesn't mean that things do not exist, it is negating the way phenomena appear - as truly existent from their own side. Understanding this point helps not to fall into extremes of nihilism and eternalism. 00:10:05 How to avoid the mistake from the very beginning of your analysis by identifying the correct object of refutation - gak-cha. 00:33:00 Phenomena exist, but they exist in mere name, merely imputed by mind. They do not exist from their own side. 01:04:00 From the I down to the split seconds of consciousness, all phenomena exist in mere name, merely imputed by mind. Without mind labeling them, they cannot exist. 01:27:00 When meditating on emptiness, if fear arises, that is a good sign - it means your meditation is harming the object of ignorance, the root of samsara. One should go through the fear, not stop the meditation. 01:48:00 The word "Ah" in the Heart Sutra is like an atomic bomb that destroys the hallucination of true existence projected onto all phenomena by ignorance. It shows phenomena are empty of existing from their own side. 02:24:00 When reciting the Heart Sutra, one should apply it to one's own problems and sufferings, meditating that they are empty of true existence. This becomes a powerful puja to pacify obstacles. 02:30:00 Rinpoche explains that Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche used to recite Extensive Dispelling of Hindrances after the Heart Sutra as a way of pacifying all obstacles for the teachers, students, and Dharma centers due to sickness, spirit possession, unfavorable conditions, past karma, and immediate conditions. 02:37:30 The group recites Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga and Rinpoche leads the extensive offerings practice and dedications. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:01 To receive the jenang (permission to practice) of a deity from the four-class Tantra, one needs to first receive the initiation of that class of Tantra. 00:06:31 Even though one has received a precious human body, it can be stained by desire, carelessness, laziness, sleep, gossiping, and seeking offerings and respect. This leads to wasting the precious human body on meaningless activities. 00:10:34 To take the essence of the perfect human body, one must train well in the gradual path of the lower, middle, and higher capable beings. 00:11:51 All sentient beings have been one's mother countless times in past lives, but due to taking rebirth, they are unable to recognize each other. Generating love and compassion for them, one should strive to achieve enlightenment for their benefit. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:01 The Migtsema prayer, composed by Lama Tsongkhapa, is the king of prayers that embodies the essence of the 84,000 teachings of the Buddha. 00:33:40 At Lama Tsongkhapa's birthplace Kumbum, a tree grew from his birth blood with 100,000 images of Manjushri and mantras on its leaves, indicating he is the emanation of Manjushri. 00:37:44 Before Lama Tsongkhapa's birth, his mother dreamt of a Chinese monk from Wutai Shan (Manjushri's holy place) dissolving into her, signifying that the child is Manjushri's emanation. 00:49:50 In the tradition of secret mantra, one must accept that all the buddhas are one mind. The previous lama of Sägyu tantric college added the line about Vajrapani to Migtsema and it became a five-line Migtsema. Gyalwa Ensapa’s disciple wrote the nine-round migtsema. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:01 Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains the meaning of protector prayers and the motivation for doing protector prayers dedicating them for success in Dharma activities around the world for benefiting sentient beings. 00:11:04 The fundamental Buddhist philosophy is that happiness and suffering are created by one's own mind, not by others. One has complete freedom to stop suffering and achieve happiness up to enlightenment by changing how one thinks. 00:23:05 Dharma centers play an important role in world peace by educating people about the mind, karma, compassion, and thought transformation. 00:42:10 By practicing thought transformation (lojong), one can transform all obstacles and problems into causes for enlightenment. If you are happy, practice Dharma, if you are unhappy, practice Dharma. 01:00:00 Centers benefit sentient beings by teaching lojong. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:01 The mind is obscured by many superstitious thoughts, like attachment, anger, and self-cherishing, which are based on grasping at an exaggerated object. 00:06:47 While everything is empty of true existence, the ignorance projects true existence onto phenomena, like wearing colored glasses that make everything appear a certain color. We then allow our mind to believe this hallucination is real. 00:14:52 Realizing emptiness helps generate strong compassion for sentient beings, seeing how they are suffering due to being ignorant of the way things actually exist. Their suffering comes from wrong concepts and mistaken ways of thinking. 00:22:24 Realizing emptiness doesn't contradict bodhicitta, but rather makes one generate stronger bodhicitta. The positive thoughts like compassion and bodhicitta are not caused by or based on the ignorance grasping at true existence. 00:26:20 Reciting Calling the Guru from Afar. The way to clean away the superstitious thoughts is through guru devotion - making requests to the guru from one's heart. One should strive to devote to the guru with the nine attitudes, such as viewing the guru as a buddha, following the guru's advice, and seeing the guru's actions as perfect and so on. 00:36:30 Lama Zopa Rinpoche leads the recitation of Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga, offering of a short mandala, and recitation of Migtsema mantras. 00:51:35 The group recites the Lamrim prayer from Lama Chopa. 00:59:05 The group recites the Eight Verses of Thought Transformation and other prayers from Lama Chopa. 1:23:32 Lama Zopa Rinpoche leads the protector prayers and dedications. 02:08:55 Lama Zopa Rinpoche tells about Geshe Lama Konchog's Life. Dedication prayers. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:07 Lama Tsongkhapa practiced Dharma and completed the path, unstained by the three types of worldly dharma: black worldly dharma, mixed worldly dharma, and white worldly dharma. This means unstained by attachment clinging to this life, unstained by self-cherishing thought, and unstained by ignorance, the concept holding true existence. Each time we rejoice, we create the cause to have Lama Tsongkhapa's qualities. 00:21:32 When saying "Lama Tsongkhapa", one must remember it refers to the oneness of the lama and Tsongkhapa. If only thinking of Tsongkhapa, it does not become Guru Yoga. By looking at Tsongkhapa as inseparable from one's guru, one is able to see all of Tsongkhapa's qualities and activities as the guru's. 00:32:01 The absolute guru is the dharmakaya, the primordial holy mind, which has no beginning, no end, and pervades all existence. The absolute guru takes the form that you have the karma to see and to communicate with, that is the conventional guru. 00:52:19 Rinpoche tells about his first retreat in Tibet focused on Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/

This teaching was given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Lama Tsonkhapa Institute in Italy as part of the Ganden Lha Gyama retreat between September 3-30, 2004. 00:00:00 Rinpoche gives an extensive teaching on benefits of offerings. As taught by Manjushri to Lama Tsongkhapa, the quick path to enlightenment involves purifying obstacles, collecting merit, and one-pointedly requesting the guru’s blessings, and even offering one flower to a Buddha leads to the entire path to enlightenment and continues to bring benefit endlessly. 00:46:33 A life without compassion, even with a human body, is empty. Therefore, regardless of one’s level of Dharma knowledge, compassion is the most important practice, as it brings happiness to all beings and naturally fulfills one’s own wishes up to enlightenment. Rinpoche also emphasizes the importance of wisdom and demerits of self-cherishing. 02:06:40 Rinpoche continues teaching on the benefits of offering practice and leads an extensive offering practice and gives commentaries on how to do it step by step. 03:02:15 Rinpoche leads the practice of rejoicing in the realizations of Lama Tsongkhapa. 03:06:50 Rinpoche continues leading Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga and ends with extensive dedications. Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/