Practical Guidance

Dharma Teaching 

By

Tulku Khenpo Lodrup Pelden Rinpoche

Two Important Types of Cultivation

We teach two important types of cultivation:  

1) Recitation of Amitabha Buddha with Three Supremes (Supreme Motivation, Supreme Deeds, and Supreme Dedication of Merits).

2) Complete Enlightenment.

Why is it important? Because it has double protection to quickly ensure we break free from the painful cycle of rebirth and reach enlightenment.   

The first insurance is through the cultivation of the Recitation of Buddha with Three Supremes, to guarantee one to be reborn in the pure land when the time comes. By closing the eyes, one will immediately be enlightened and reborn in Amitabha’s Western Pure Land of ultimate bliss. It is just remarkable.

The second insurance is through the cultivation of Complete Enlightenment. Within this life, one can retrieve complete enlightenment as a Buddha. There is no need to go to the Western Pure Land for continuing cultivation.  

These two types of cultivation are equivalent to the metaphor of the one-step snake. What is the one-step snake? If one is bitten by a snake, one will die if taking one step. In the same way, these two types of cultivation can break free from the cycle of rebirth and reach enlightenment quickly, so everyone must practice them seriously.