Why I'm in the West

My purpose, my goal for teaching is only to have Bodhicitta, the Mind of Awakening, the good heart, to arise in somebody’s mind. That is the reason why I teach, so you can see the benefit and you can see the power of the Dharma, so that you can experience the power of Dharma. That is my goal.

I haven’t done any sort of large Dharma activities, Drupchens or ceremonies, things that require intricate, detailed ceremonies. I haven’t put a lot of effort into that kind of teaching or practice, and I have no desire to be famous or have any kind of wealth or anything like that. Really, my only goal is just for a single person to give rise to the good heart, to develop faith in the Dharma, that is why I put effort into teaching.

Let's practice with this spirit in mind. If even one or two people were to develop the good heart, to cultivate Bodhicitta, compassion, and love, and maybe get an idea of the view of Emptiness, some kind of higher view, or if their afflictive emotions, their afflictions of hatred, desire, or ignorance decrease somewhat, and their positive qualities of compassion and loving-kindness increase, then that’s really the essence of why I’m here. That’s why I came to America. I can say that I’ve spent this human life in a good way, if even a single person can say this.

So my hope for all of you is that in listening to Dharma teachings, when you hear them, that you put them into practice, and they will be of some benefit. That will be the reason why I’m here in the west. On a personal level, my activities would be much easier if they were focused in the east, I have more standing in the east than I do in the west. But my goal is not for those things, it’s to be of some benefit. I really feel if for just a few people, if you hear the teachings, you listen and you put them into practice, then that is when the Dharma becomes beneficial for you.

We all need to put some effort into the way that we approach the Dharma, we need to place a very strong value in it. It is very valuable. And its not something we go about in a casual way, in a way where we are not very focused on the value of the meaning of the Dharma. By having some understanding of the importance of the Dharma, when you hear the teachings, you will put them into use and practice. You will see the benefit, and the value increases -- you will begin to understand the value in a very subtle way.

So, this is how to go about learning the Dharma. I encourage everyone to put forth effort in this way: listen to the teachings and put them into practice. Not putting them into practice, there’s no way to internalize these teachings, to make them a part of who you are. There is no need to follow in the way I have been here, hearing English for so many years, but still not speaking it so well. All of you should hear the teachings and put them into practice. That is the way to understand them.

Let's bring to mind the beings of the six realms and have the thought that, “may they possess happines.” These days, so many suffer from mental afflictions, they suffer from depression, they suffer in their physical bodies and in their minds, and this world is also facing so many dangers in the form of water, wind, fire, the elements. We are facing so many natural disasters. With the power of Bodhicitta we can imagine and set our intentions to pacify all of these dangers and negative mental states that beset sentient beings.

— Jigme Wangdrak Rinpoche; November 9, 2019