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/

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 Our delusions have no beginning, so we cannot expect to achieve realizations or enlightenment quickly or easily. No one achieved enlightenment without hardships, without practicing three types of patience. We must plan to practice for many lifetimes.

00:42:38 There is a big difference between experiencing hardships to practice Dharma, which leads to happiness, versus experiencing temporary pleasure that results in future suffering.

00:45:44 We have died numberless times working for delusions. Even if we have to die practicing Dharma, it is worthwhile and completes our life meaningfully.

00:50:04 We are extremely fortunate to have met the Dharma. If we don't practice and spend our lives following delusions, our lives will finish sadly.

01:13:09 It's very important to make our decisions in life with Dharma wisdom rather than ignorance. This makes a huge difference in the results we experience from life to life.

01:29:32 Rinpoche gives a commentary on blessing the speech practice.

01:56:55 Rinpoche teaches on how to relate to criticism and praise. If words affect one easily, and one's life becomes up and down, that means one is not practicing the right view.

02:06:45 Rinpoche continues giving a commentary on blessing the speech practice.

02:32:53 Students recite prayers.

02:49:15 The benefits of reciting Maitreya Buddha mantra. Students recite Maitreya Buddha mantra.

03:00:40 Dedication prayers.

Find out more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche, his teachings and projects at https://fpmt.org/