"Knowing others is knowledge, Knowing oneself is wisdom"

The University of Memphis Program in Religious Studies hosted a talk Carl and I attended by Tulku Orgyen P’huntsok on “Buddhism in the Modern World” April 21, 2011.

Tulku Orgyen P’huntsok has been recognized as the reincarnation
of Togden Kunzang Longdrol Rinpoche, a highly realized yogi from Powo who had been influential in spreading the Dharma both in Tibet and in Padmasambhava’s sacred Hidden Land of Pemaköd. Tulku spent his early years in retreat in his birthplace of Pemaköd in Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India, studying all aspects of Buddhism.

At the age of 15, Tulku began advanced studies in southern India at Namdroling Monastery,
the largest monastery of the Nyingma lineage. Tulku completed the nine-year
Khenpo degree, and taught Buddhist philosophy during his final three years at Namdroling Monastery.

Since 1999, Tulku Orgyen has been with Vairotsana Foundation, assisting Bhakha Tulku Rinpoche with teaching, practice, and other Dharma activity. Tulku has taught and led retreats
throughout the United States, and travels and teaches frequently in Asia as well.
Tulku served as a visiting professor at University of California – Santa Barbara, and has taught
Tibetan language and other subjects periodically at the Vairotsana Foundation Center
in Santa Barbara, where he currently serves as the Resident Lama and Director.

Face wreathed in smiles with a sweet countenance, Tulku Orgyen spoke for a little over an hour on Tibetan Buddhism tonight. Central to his talk was the belief that happiness and suffering depend on the mind of the individual. The practice of Buddhism revolves around compassion and love. The Buddhist practitioner believes all humans are equal in desiring happiness in daily life and in the next lifetime too. Even dogs and cats- all animals- desire happiness. Tulku reminded the audience of the suffering taking place in Japan in the Buddhist communities. Buddhists expand compassion to ALL human beings. Happiness is a form of love. When we become aware of others and reach out with positive karma this brings benefits and goodness into the world. Conversely, negative karma brings suffering.

One great message of Buddha was that all beings are inherently good. Tulku urged all of us not to take things too seriously in life. To sit back, relax and observe the mind. Work to change negative aspects to achieve calm and peace. Everything around us is changing so do not cling too closely to things- take it easy! Flexibility of Buddhism is a great benefit to the spread of the Buddhist way of life from India eastward over time. There are over 4,000 different teachings in Buddhism. A Buddhist would not tell one from another faith to change religions. They believe you should excel where you are comfortable.

Buddhist believe all other religions and philosophies share the desire for peace and happiness. Disagreement comes about over different approaches to reaching peace and happiness.

Rebirth is central to the belief and practice of Buddhism. Is death the end? What would be the reason for doing anything? Life goes on until one is fully awakened- good karma is reborn and bad karma goes elsewhere. There are different levels of positive and negative karma.

What is sown is reaped

What goes around comes around

The Buddhist should examine their conscience daily and observe constantly. One should never surrender to thoughts, but let them come and go freely while attuned to the nature of the mind. Work to free your mind fully.