His Holiness the 43rd Sakya Trizin, Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, bestowed this talk in Montroyo, Spain, at the request of Sangchen Norbu Ling, Spain, on August 15, 2023.
Buddha Shakyamuni dedicated six years to ascetic practices, enduring unimaginable hardships in pursuit of enlightenment, but these efforts did not result in buddhahood. It was only upon realizing the importance of balance—or steering clear of extremes—that he achieved enlightenment while seated under the bodhi tree. His teachings centered on the truths of existence—the four noble truths and the two truths (relative and ultimate)—and one way we can understand them is by speaking of balance. It is a key to realizing ultimate truth, and it is also essential for peace of mind in general. This concise yet profound teaching invites you to rediscover yourself and your life.
Source: The teaching was obtained from Sangchen Norbu Ling Youtube.
Right at the beginning of the teaching, His Holiness poses a fundamental question: What is enlightenment, and how can it be attained? This is a vital issue that every Buddhist follower should ponder deeply. While various worldly pursuits may seem to offer happiness and benefits, reality often shows that these transient pleasures are inherently painful and lead to suffering. Thus, the ultimate aim of the Buddha’s teachings is to transcend this fleeting life and achieve profound, lasting bliss. Only by overcoming saṃsāra, the endless and repetitive cycle of existence, can we reach this lofty goal.
What, then, keeps us bound in saṃsāra? What is the true purpose of Dharma practice? His Holiness challenges us with another thought-provoking question: Why don’t goats and foxes need to shop, but we humans do? This question urges us to explore the deeper themes of his teaching and to reflect on how Dharma assists us.
Enlightenment and the journey toward it are closely linked to maintaining inner balance, which is also crucial for achieving success in worldly life. In this teaching, His Holiness helps us understand and cultivate this balance, offering essential and valuable guidance for both our everyday lives and our spiritual practice.
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