path of Application, Insight, Meditation and No more Learning

Path of application:

In the four levels of this path. one trains in the first levels of this path, known as "heat" and "climax". One also get trained in the five faculties, enabling one to generate liberative virtues: faith, diligence, awareness, contemplation and wisdom. The last two levels one trains in the five powers in whch antidotes are more powerful and the defilements are weaker than in the case of the four faculties as above.

Path of insight:

In this path one train in the seven branches of the path of enlightenment and these are the training in and support of wisdom free form conceptualizations, the realization of suchness, and the ultimate nature of the four noble truths. By realizing the path of insight one attains the first of the ten stages.

The seven branches of the path of enlightenment are:

Awareness; unforgetfulness of the insight realization.

Discrimination; wisdom which destroys the characteristics of the concept of self.

Diligence; joyfulness in the efforts which apply to the realization.

Joy; joyfulness in contemplation and realization of the truth.

Pliancy; physical and mental maturation of bliss without emotions.

Contemplation; contemplating one pointedly on the state free form emotions.

Equanimity; remaining in the nature free from emotions.

These are meditations on and for developing the realization which is or leads to the freedom from suffering, detachment from the source of suffering, dwelling in the cessation.

Path of meditation:

In this path once trains of the "eightfold noble path". In this context, the eightfold noble path is for progressing and perfecting the realization which one has attained in the path of insight. It consists of contemplation on the ultimate nature.

Path of no more learning:

After completion of the four paths and ten stages and the abandoning of the two obscurations, the emotional and intellectual obscurations with their traces, one attains the fifth path Buddha hood, which possesses the two bodies and five wisdoms.

There are numerous paths detailed in the Buddhist canon, and it would take years and even lifetimes to study each and every one of them. The reason there are so many path is because different methods appeal to different people, who are influenced by their own habitual ways of thinking and the goals they wish to achieve through practice. However, no matter what path we study, we will find one thing to be true in every case. The purpose of giving teachings on the path is to provide us with the means of attaining the skills and experience we need to reach liberation. So we must first understand exactly what the "path" is before embarking on to practice when put into this context.

Path of Accumulation

no one has ever attained the final result without relying upon the holistic path. As said in Nagarjuna's letter to a friend, "He who ruled the universe as king will be a slave within samsara's wheel." As per Buddhist Sutra, "Birth is suffering; old age is suffering; sickness is suffering; death is suffering. Separation from what is loved is suffering; not having what one wants is suffering; having what one does not want is suffering taking care of wealth and reducing them is also suffering. In the ordinary samsaric condition, there is nothing but suffering. Beings have been trapped in the ocean of suffering in the cyclic existence due to their karma, negative emotions, and habitual tendencies since beginning less time and on recognizing the suffering of samsara, the way to free form them is to practice the Dharma. By practicing Dharma steadily, the results of countless lifetimes and kalpas of negative actions can be purified which can be progressively pursued through five paths until attaining the fully enlightened state, Buddha hood.

The five paths are:

path of accumulation, path of application, 

path of insight, 

path of meditation, 

path of no more learning.

Path of accumulation:

In the three levels of this path one practices three sets of four training in the thirty seven aspects of enlightenment. In the small level, one reflects on the meaning of the four noble truths' through the four mindfulness of body, mindfulness of feeling, mindfulness of mind and mindfulness of phenomena. In the mediocre level, one train in the four perfect purification, they are the training in the vigor produced as a result of training in the fourfold awareness:

Not to generate any unvirtuousness this has not been generated; to generate virtues which have not been generated; to abandon all the unvirtuousness which has been generated and To increase the virtues which have been generated.

In the great level, one trains in the four miraculous contemplation. As the effect of vigor, these are the means of training in one pointed contemplation's of mind: admiration, diligence, mind and analysis (wisdom).

Brief History of Buddhism {part 3}

If you are mistaken to identify the right place of refuge the triple gem, then you are following the wrong path that takes you to the wrong direction and in due course, you will have to suffer a lot as there is no end for life. therefore, unless for the sake of temporary well being and modernization, we have to study the other countries culture, technologies, economics, languages and agriculture mechanisms etc. but one shouldn't rely on their religion that can get enlightenment. There is a scholarly saying " what has been believed by our father is a path to be followed by children", if we ignore the best practices that have been followed by our fathers and devoted towards negative refuges, the course of disregarding the triple gem will erase all your merit and virtues that you have accumulated so far and you will be born in the lower realms for innumerable future lifetimes. Therefore, realizing that the triple gem is the best place of refuge and a crucial source of merit, you have to endeavor towards practicing virtuous deeds and progressively by the blessing of the Triple Gem; your wishes of both temporary and next generation's wellbeing will be fulfilled.

As you are now born in the Buddha land you should not forget our refuge guardians and if you cannot practice the Buddhist principal well then it will be exactly like " facing the mouth inside and mind, outside" [depending for food in house, but working and thinking for another house] as cited by the Buddhist scholars. Therefore, my earnest request to all "please don'tt misunderstand the concept and have a concrete and unflagging faith towards the of Buddha dharma"

Brief History of Buddhism {part 2}

Whatever it may be when it comes to its time no one can stop similarly, by its time to tame that land by the present and future protector his holiness Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal, without being made any plea to the guardians, the protective deities encouraged to turn his horse saddle towards the southern land. Right after the arrival in the country, the mountainous people who were then the barbarian and were all put under control by his noble four actions and introduced justice to the citizen and handle to an urn. The virtuous deeds have been implemented and initiated the dual system which is considered as the highest contribution and still been in practice without any infraction and manipulation. The introduction of the dual system; the secular and the political system has been a main source of both contemporary and future tranquility and an independent nation therefore; it is the kindness of his noble initiative that Bhutan now is an exemplary to the world today. It is obvious that, Bhutan is the only country in the world where the Buddhism still prevails with unique dual system tradition. Unlike in other countries, there are mixtures of tradition and culture and Bhutan and Tibet were only the countries that are governed by the principals of Buddhism but unfortunately, Tibet is not governed by the Buddhism anymore.

Generally speaking, in the world there are many religious organizations and if we summarize these religions, it will be summarized in two different groups; the religion that is followed in accordance to the principal of lord Buddha is "Nangpa"[Buddhism] and the opposite to the Buddhism are all phyelpa [the outsider] the other religions. The Buddhist practitioners are those who from the very beginning be acquainted with the triple gem as there is a saying " I have no loss in offering to the Triple Gem", similarly, if we are devoted towards the Triple Gem or the Three Jewel, by the virtue of devotion we will enjoy the tranquility of celestial and human being and gradually there is an opportunity for an ultimate enlightenment. Unlike the Triple Gem, the unenlightened Gods like Vishnu, Great Brahmas and Jesus Christ, they have no potential to protect form being born in the lower realms and miseries of all existence. Therefore, the triple gem is the intimate guardian of the present, future and during the intermediate life and in one is fully dedicated, and then there is no doubt that you are blessed and experience that tranquility of celestial, worldly affairs and lots more. If you are a follower of lord Shiva, Vishnu Great Brahmas and Jesus Christ just for the time being, you might experience everything is going well up to your expectations but they are helpless to bestow you the ultimate enlightenment as a prisoner has not power to set another prisoner free, so they are themselves bounded within the worldly beings.

Brief History of Buddhism {part 1}

To all the intelligent citizens of Bhutan after the expression of offering, I would like to mention here a brief history of Buddhism flourished in Bhutan. As it is obvious that no Bhutanese are not acquainted to the triple gem and all the behavior that is not in accordance with the dharma therefore, it is because of the fact that we were born in the land of Buddha dharma. People who do not possess the virtues cannot make it to be born in such fortunate country and by the force of virtuous deeds of the past we are born here in the world and mostly in the country like Bhutan and Nepal. The reason behind why Bhutan and Nepal are unlike other countries is, it is a sacred land where the famous dharmic king like gyalpo tsuga norbu dremedkuenden who were once a previous generations of lord Buddha came in exile and accomplished the noble bodhisattva acts.

Later after lord Buddha's enlightenment and in the mist of the various discourses, while the lord Buddha was preaching the sutra of suryagarbha, a light aroused from the body of lord Buddha and his retinues flashed towards the northern regions and blessed as the source of Buddhism in later periods. The show there is death to all the worldly beings, the lord Buddha entered Nirvana in kushnagar. Exactly, believed to be the 2^nd Buddha, guru padmasambawa also visited to country for two times. Various treasures of dharma and properties etc. where concealed in the mountains, cliffs, hills, lakes and rocks and converted into sacred hidden land. Later, during the 10^th century onwards, numerous Buddhist saints and scholars came to Bhutan and have been blessed as well. Moreover, an embodiment of the compassionate lord avaloketeshvara stepped in the world in a disguised manner of dorje chang, vajra beares] zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal. His advent to Bhutan was in accordance to the prediction of guru padmasambawa and tsangpaJerey (reincarnation of an Indian maha siddha Penchen NAropa) and also an invitation of our protective deity Pal YesheyGyonpo and offering the land to be tamed.

Suffering of Death

Suffering of death

Life is such a precious thing that all the riches of the world could not be exchanged for it. Yet no once can escape the pains of death. When death approaches, you will be fallen to deathbed and will have no strength to get up. You will start disliking of any edible and drinks and cognizant with death. You will become a vessel filled with sputum, mucus, filth and all sorts of dirty things. Reminded by the death and its approach, one suffers more thinking of death. You will regret ones misdeeds of the past only known to yourself and out of regret you beat yourself using your fist to the chest. When the moment comes and you are lying on your deathbed, you must take leave of relatives and friends, wealth, and possessions, just like a hair pushed form a lump of butter. Alone you must go forth into the unknown. It is said in sutra that when king of death arrives to take you hence, only virtue and misdeeds will keep you company. All others will draw back with none to follow you. Understand this well and mend your ways.

In addition to above there are other sufferings such as separation form what is loved; meeting unwanted circumstances; not having what one wants and having what one does not want; having care for already accumulated wealth and many more. Considering all these sufferings, irrespective of young and old, should realize that the undefiled peace and happiness can only be obtained by abandoning unwholesome activities and to cultivate a wealth of virtue is to adopt the positive, beneficial and wholesome activities that are the cause of happiness, again for both ourselves and for others, so is my thinking.

Suffering of Old age and Sickness

Suffering of old age:

The rosy color of youth and the grace and beauty of fresh young bodies are blighted and withered by the dreadful scourge of age. The time will eventually come when you will be afflicted with the misery of being dependent on others, an object of contempt and ridicule, without even the strength to attend to the needs of nature. You will not be able to shift for yourself and must stumble along leaning on a stick. Whenever you move just to get up or sit down or walk from one place to another, your joints will be wrenched and you will fall. Your faculties will be impaired; your sight and hearing will fail, and your tongue will become thick and inarticulate. The beauty of youth such as soft skin all changes and gradually becomes more think, inflexible and becomes a bundle of wrinkles the hair on the head also transforms it color to white and the pleasures youth and enjoyments of the senses will no longer seem pleasant. Even someone who is weaker than oneself can harm you without your ability to protect yourself or fight back. All the actions and world are forgotten right after they are done or said. Your breath also becomes suffocating and you cannot hear and express clearly. You will fail to recognize other people and even yourself. So compounded element becoming too old and nearing death is imminent. All these are sufferings experienced by a person in his old age.

Suffering of sickness;

For beings possessed of bodies composed of the four elements, perfect health is compared to limpid pool in which the humors of wind, bile, and phlegm are in perfect balance. Uneven balance of the four elements results in sickness such as blood pressure, kidney problems and tuberculosis, etc. even though you may have a stout body and robust body,k when you ar seized by sickness, you become as feeble as a little bird and bedridden. At times, you undergo pain so intense that you can hardly answer what is asked you. One top of this, not only are you loaded with pain miseries, but so are your relatives and friends fed-up with your prolonged sickness and cannot even sleep. Finally, many factors, such karmic forces, or harms caused by natural or unnatural disasters, make you get trouble in mind and terrified thinking of death. This is the crucial period when you experience appearance of confusion and disillusionment.