Dilgo Khyentse
Dilgo Khyentse: A Master of Tibetan Buddhism
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#### Full Name and Common Aliases
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Dilgo Khyentse (1910-1991) was a renowned Tibetan Buddhist master, scholar, and meditation teacher. He is also known as Dilgo Rinpoche or Dil-ma Rin-po-che.
#### Birth and Death Dates
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Dilgo Khyentse was born on June 18, 1910, in the Lhodrak region of Tibet, and passed away on September 27, 1991.
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
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Khyentse was a Tibetan national by birth. He was a Buddhist master, scholar, and meditation teacher, renowned for his expertise in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
#### Early Life and Background
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Dilgo Khyentse's early life was marked by a deep connection to spirituality. At the age of four, he began studying with his local lama, who recognized him as an exceptional child prodigy. He demonstrated a natural aptitude for spiritual learning and quickly absorbed complex teachings on Buddhist philosophy and practice.
As a young man, Dilgo Khyentse traveled extensively throughout Tibet, practicing intensive meditation and study under the guidance of various masters. These experiences had a profound impact on his development as a spiritual leader and scholar.
#### Major Accomplishments
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Dilgo Khyentse's extensive knowledge and expertise were recognized by many prominent Tibetan Buddhist masters. He was appointed as the regent (or 'tsawagong') for the 16th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, when the young boy was only a toddler.
Khyentse also served as the abbot of several monasteries and was instrumental in the preservation and transmission of Tibetan Buddhist texts. His contributions to the field of Buddhist scholarship are immeasurable, with many regarding him as one of the most important figures in modern Tibetan Buddhism.
#### Notable Works or Actions
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Dilgo Khyentse's numerous writings and teachings include several volumes on meditation and spiritual practice. One of his most notable works is The Wish-fulfilling Treasury (Tibetan: 'dod 'joms rgya mtsho), a comprehensive guide to Tibetan Buddhism that covers topics from the fundamentals of Buddhist philosophy to advanced practices.
Khyentse also played a significant role in the preservation and transmission of ancient Tibetan texts, including several rare and influential works on Buddhist practice and philosophy. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the development of Tibetan Buddhism worldwide.
#### Impact and Legacy
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Dilgo Khyentse's influence extends far beyond his own lifetime. As a scholar, meditation teacher, and spiritual leader, he has inspired countless individuals to explore the depths of Tibetan Buddhism. His legacy continues to shape the understanding and practice of this ancient tradition, with many regarding him as one of the most significant figures in modern Tibetan Buddhist history.
#### Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Dilgo Khyentse is widely remembered for his profound wisdom, compassion, and dedication to the preservation and transmission of Tibetan Buddhism. His writings, teachings, and actions have left an indelible mark on the spiritual landscape of our time.
His emphasis on the importance of meditation, study, and compassion in achieving enlightenment continues to inspire seekers from around the world. As a testament to his enduring influence, Dilgo Khyentse remains one of the most revered figures in Tibetan Buddhism, with his teachings and writings continuing to resonate deeply within the hearts of those who seek spiritual growth.
Quotes by Dilgo Khyentse
Dilgo Khyentse's insights on:
Ah! Fount of compassion, my root teacher, Lord Chenrezi, You are my only protector! The six-syllable mantra, essence of your speech, is the sublime Dharma; From now on I have no hope but you!
Ill treatment by opponents Is a catalyst for your meditation; Insulting reproaches you don’t deserve Spur your practice onward; Those who do you harm are teachers Challenging your attachment and aversion – How could you ever repay their kindness? Indeed, you are unlikely to make much spiritual progress if you lack the courage to face your own hidden faults. Any person or situation that helps you to see those faults, however uncomfortable and humiliating it may be, is doing you a great service.
Many of us lead family lives. At most, the members of a family stay together for the duration of a lifetime, often much less. While that fleeting moment of being together still lasts, we should try to remain in perfect harmony with each other, while observing the Dharma as much as possible. Night and day, let us turn our minds toward goodness, love, and compassion.
Mindfulness should guide all your actions and your spiritual endeavors. Whatever you do, always apply three essential points: undertake the action with the intention of doing so for the good of all beings; execute it with perfect concentration, free of attachment to concepts of subject, object, and action; and, finally, dedicate the merit you have created to the enlightenment of all beings.
What a waste of time it is to take so much care of this body, feeding it the most succulent dishes, dressing it in the most fashionable clothes, and trying to make it look younger than it really is. The body has no other destination than the cemetery where it will be burned, buried, or fed to the birds.
Expecting a lot from people, you do a lot of smiling; Needing many things for yourself, you have many needs to meet; Making plans to do first this, then that, your mind’s full of hopes and fears – From now on, come what may, don’t be like that.
Our lives have no outcome other than death, just as rivers have no end other than the ocean. At the moment of death, our only recourse is spiritual practice, and our only friends the virtuous actions we have accomplished during our lifetime.
Welcome the view that the things which you think are wrecking your life – like your thoughts and emotions, or illness and death – are actually gifts for your transformation... Whether life presents us with a pleasant sound or an unpleasant sound, a pleasant smell or an unpleasant smell, a pleasant thought or an unpleasant thought, it’s sheer delight because instead of identifying with the experience, we simply touch it and let it go.
Someone who has managed to build up a great fortune may look back at his achievements with some satisfaction, reflecting proudly, “I am a rich man.” But he would do well to reflect, too, on the extent to which those riches are based on lies, deceit, and the overriding of others’ interests – negative actions that in the long run will only engender suffering.
Never forget how swiftly this life will be over, like a flash of summer lightning or the wave of a hand. Now that you have the opportunity to practice dharma, do not waste a single moment on anything else.