T E A C H I N G S

by His Holiness
Shamar Rinpoche


An Overview of the
Mahamudra Curriculum for
Bodhi Path Centers

Teachings on the
Mahamudra Curriculum
for Bodhi Path Centers

4 ways of the wise

Calming our Minds
is the First Step

Four Ways to Have
Proper Aims
(a Buddhist Response to the 911 tragedy)

. . . . .

An extensive archive of dharma teachings by Karma Kagyu masters is maintained
by Dhagpo Kagyu Mandala
and by Kagyu Asia

Four Ways of the Wise
By H. H. Shamar Rinpoche
Taken from a teaching on Phowa given at Bodhi Path Virginia, June 20, 2004

Introduction

I would like to share a traditional teaching about how to cultivate good judgment. This is a teaching to help us trust our common sense and avoid being misled. The four reminders here apply to dharma as well as all aspects of our daily lives. I believe that many problems in modern society could be solved if people would just follow this simple advice.

I call this teaching the “Four Ways of the Wise.” The wise know who and what they can depend upon. Thus, they avoid many traps of sloppy thinking.

This teaching consists of four simple maxims:

  1. Depend on the teaching and not on the teacher
  2. Depend on the meaning and not on the words
  3. Depend on the depth and not on the surface
  4. Depend on wisdom and not on concepts

© Bodhi Path Karma Kagyu Buddhist Centers

updated 4/10/08
webmaster@bodhipath.org