Concluding Remarks

Our Guru Wish-Fulfilling Jewel taught today the last three koans in the Sutra of the Wise and the Foolish, and thus completed the transmission of all 51 koans in the Tibetan edition of this sutra. The content of the Han edition varies slightly and the differences were not covered.

The 49th koan tells the story of a lion that gave forth a mind of virtue toward a hunter covered up in a monk’s robe. The story teaches us to respect all who have taken the monastic ordination and never to slander them, even if they are devoid of the monk’s inner qualities under the monk’s robes.

The 50th koan tells the story of a monk who embezzled a Sangha’s property and used harsh words to insult Sangha members. This monk was reborn as a maggot in a boiling cesspit and, when visited by the thousand Buddhas and their disciples in the Fortunate Eon, will continuously serve as a life lesson to illustrate the infallibility of karmic retribution. Therefore, we should be most cautious in handling the Sangha’s property, never allowing a moment of covetousness to arise.

In the 51st koan, a young monk was reborn as a dog for 500 lives because he had slighted a realized senior monk by calling him a dog. Therefore, we shall never ridicule others by calling them animal’s names.

After going over these three koans, Rinpoche advised us earnestly: “Now that the teaching on the Sutra of the Wise and the Foolish is completed, you should reflect on this sutra seriously, rather than shelving it. The annual Pure Land Puja will soon commence at our academy, and after it is over, I intend to teach the Words of My Perfect Teacher—the Preliminaries of Great Perfection. Try not to stray to Han China or India and tour around; you should be aware of the great merit of study and contemplation on the Dharma. To die in a sitting or standing posture is not necessarily a sign of accomplishment; however, to die while studying or contemplating on the Dharma definitely is.

Khenpo Ralpa continued his activity of transmitting the Dharma and benefiting beings even after he had become blind. He kept on expounding the Dharma with other’s help in reading and continued to do so for more than 10 years. I have aspired to follow his excellent example and my wish is now being realized. Khenpo Gengya taught up to two days before he passed away. For me, my body is now aching terribly, and I am not telling a lie that my body hurts. Nonetheless, I still vow to follow his example to continue spreading the Dharma until the day I die.

I am fortunate to have received a supreme transmission of the short, direct lineage on the Words of My Perfect Teacher—the Preliminaries of Great Perfection, and I would like to finish the teaching this winter. Remember, the opportunity to hear and contemplate the sacred Dharma comes by only once in millions of eons. Never leave the lineage transmission halfway, which would be most regrettable.” Our kindest Guru has spoken most earnestly and revealed fully his expectations to us disciples. In the present era rife with perverted charlatans, it is most urgent to eradicate incorrect views through studying authentic doctrines. We should cherish our opportunity to do so.

May the teaching and transmission of the Words of My Perfect Teacher—the Preliminaries of Great Perfection be successfully completed!

11th of September, Year of RenWu
October 16, 2002