Dharma Teachings

His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin, Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, gave this talk on August 9, 2014, at National Taiwan University, Taiwan. The event was hosted by the Taipei Vajrayana Sakya Manjushri Center, and co-hosted by the Language Training and Testing Center and the Department of Chinese, National Taiwan University.

Have you ever asked yourself: what is the mind? Do you really understand yours?

Mind is the source of both our happiness and our sorrow, shaping every emotion, thought, and action. The mind—often referred to as consciousness—encompasses our inner experience. From our deepest feelings to our physical actions and spoken words, all are influenced and shaped by this powerful force within us. Every experience we encounter, whether positive or negative, arises from the workings of the mind.

Although the mind is a vast and profound subject, this teaching offers a glimpse into its depths, helping us begin to understand how it functions. By learning to recognize and train our mind, we open the door to cultivating positive outcomes and a joyful life. This is the essence of the teaching, aptly titled Mind and Life.

Source: This teaching was obtained from TTBTV Production Youtube.

Why do some people view a place as their ideal home, while others from the same place are eager to leave? Why do some find a dish delightful, while others feel indifferent or even repulsed? Why do some view an event as a blessing, while others experience it as a misfortune?

Are our perceptions and experience truly shaped by external circumstances, or is there a deeper truth we've overlooked?

In this teaching, His Holiness explore this fundamental question—one that lies at the heart of the Buddha's awakening. By seeing through the illusions of appearances, the Buddha realized the ultimate truth of existence, leading to his awakening.

Understanding this truth will reveal the root of suffering and open the gateway to liberation.