Do Not Lose Your Own Path, Do Not Disturb the Minds of Others
“Do not lose your own path, do not disturb the minds of others” is the very last teaching left by the guru of Khenpo Sodargye, His Holiness Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche. What are our own paths and how to stick to them? How to avoid disturbing others’ minds? Khenpo Sodardye unravels the profound meaning behind this seemingly simple teaching.
Falling Leaves Return to the Roots
Excerpt 1: Our Traditions Are Being Lost
Globally speaking, many excellent traditions, including faiths and rich cultures with long histories of many ethnical groups, are being abandoned nowadays. They are disappearing from this world one after another. Maybe one day in the future, they can no longer be found on this earth.
Excerpt 2: Falling Leaves Return to the Roots
There is an ancient saying, “Falling leaves will return to the roots.” When leaves fall from the trees, they usually remain close to the root of the tree. Many young people are now going abroad. When they grow old and return to their home country, their children may not be able to speak their mother tongue. This is a sad situation.
Excerpt 3: Do Not Disturb the Minds of Your Closed Ones
Your parents, children, colleagues, friends, and all others with whom you have frequent contact with, are those who have good karmic connection with you. You should try your best not to disturb their minds, so as to not break the good bond with each other.
Excerpt 4: Cultivation of Compassion
Such an intention of not disturbing others is compassion, and each of us should cultivate this quality every day. Moreover, we must introduce compassion to the people connected with us. For instance, we should teach our children from an early age to control their anger, and most importantly, never to harm animals around them.
Excerpt 5: Lay People May Help to Preserve Buddhism
Lay people like you may also help in the promotion of Buddhism by supporting the Buddhist centers and spreading the noble teachings of Buddhism. For those of you who are capable of accepting both exoteric and esoteric teachings, it is certain that when you become well versed in the three higher trainings of discipline, meditation, and wisdom, you will be able to contribute significantly to the propagation and preservation of the Dharma in the future.
Falling Leaves Return to the Roots
There is an ancient saying, “Falling leaves will return to the roots.” When leaves fall from the trees, they usually remain close to the root of the tree. Many young people are now going abroad. When they grow old and return to their home country, their children may not be able to speak their mother tongue. This is a sad situation.
Cultivation of Compassion
Such an intention of not disturbing others is compassion, and each of us should cultivate this quality every day. Moreover, we must introduce compassion to the people connected with us. For instance, we should teach our children from an early age to control their anger, and most importantly, never to harm animals around them.
“Each of us must not abandon our own individual responsibility, neither should we abandon the basic kindness and compassion as human beings. Such an attitude exemplifies the spirit of ‘do not lose your own path, do not disturb the minds of others’.”
