39 How to Analyze Causative Phenomena to Understand Their Empty Nature 26-Sept-2004

[00:00:00] Lama Zopa Rinpoche teaches that all things are impermanent and under the control of causes, and they appear falsely as permanent and truly existing. This leads to attachment, anger, and suffering. The root of this ignorance is believing what appears is truly existent. In truth, all phenomena, including the “I,” exist only as mere labeled by the mind, they are empty of inherent existence. The “I” is labeled in dependence on the aggregates and exists only in mere name.

[00:40:40] All our suffering comes from believing there's a real, truly existing “I.” Because of that, we’re under the control of the self-cherishing thought. We think this “I” is more important than others, but it doesn’t exist the way we believe—it’s just labeled by the mind, nothing from its own side. We ordinary beings are always trying to please this “I”—wanting comfort, praise, reputation, friends. This self-cherishing thought is like a dictator. It causes wars and suffering and harm.

[01:29:40] First, the mind merely imputes the “I.” Then, in the next moment, it projects true existence onto it — this is the gak-cha, the object to be refuted. It’s like a hallucination placed over the merely labeled I, vase, or table, just as a painting covers a wall. So when the text says “emptiness on the I,” it means the I is empty of this projected true existence, not empty of the I itself. The gak-cha is the false appearance of existing from its own side, which we believe to be real. Emptiness is the absence of this, and that’s the ultimate nature of the I and all phenomena.

[01:44:33] Rinpoche gives the following examples from the Vajra Cutter Sutra: rab rib (illusion), mar me (butter lamp flame), water dew, water bubble, dream, and cloud — to illustrate the impermanent, illusory, and empty nature of all causative phenomena. They illustrate that phenomena appear real but are deceptive, like rab rib or illusions; are extremely fragile and can cease at any moment, like the butter lamp flame, water dew, or water bubble; and lack true, independent existence, like dreams and clouds. Overall, these examples help to understand emptiness and reduce attachment and ignorance.

[02:10:00] Group practice and dedications.

[02:50:20] Rinpoche gives advice on what to do between retreat sessions and to avoid unnecessary talk. Rinpoche also emphasizes the importance of seeing the guru as Buddha by having proved to one's mind that they are one, and with that devotional mind make offerings and requests to the guru in Lama Chöpa (Guru Puja), Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga, and Six-Session Guru Yoga. Lama Tsongkhapa’s method emphasizes purifying the mind, accumulating merit, and uniting guru and Buddha in devotion to achieve swift progress.

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.