Karma seems difficult to understand – what exactly is it?

Sometimes when karma is described or explained, it can seem very complicated and quite difficult to understand. Sometimes it is even said beyond our conception, indescribable, impossible to explain. I feel that karma need not be that way, it need not be so complicated and confusing. It can be very simple.

When I first landed in Frankfurt, I saw lots of trees, lots of green, and this green was kind of fresh, healthy, shiny. It is not the same in India, there are trees, but trees are dusty, unclean, and unhealthy. So I found Frankfurt green and especially nice.

Therefore, when I came, when any new person comes, we come to know, no one has to explain that someone has cared for this greenery and trees. Without explaining we can see what kind of people live in this place. That is the karma.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

I have done some bad things in my life, and find it difficult to change. How Buddhism can help me get past that?

There are people who may have done something very bad in their life, and because of the guilt, they live under the impression that they cannot recover from that, they will always be like that, there is no changing.

The practice and understanding of impermanence allows us to understand that we do not have to continue to allow these bad things to happen. We can start a new life, we can have a new light in our life. 

We do not need to be influenced and go on with the same storyline. We can start a new story. When we meditate properly on impermanence, we see that every moment there is an opportunity to start again. It is always possible to begin in a new, positive way.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

I had a difficult childhood, and I find it hard to get over that. Can Buddhism help?

There are lots of people who have bad experiences in childhood, and that left strong and negative impression on their lives. Because of that, those people have to spend all of their lives in a very miserable, sad, negative way. There are many people who have this kind of life.

The practice and understanding of impermanence allows us to understand that we do not have to continue to allow these bad things to happen. 

We can start a new life, we can have a new light in our life. 

We do not need to be influenced and go on with the same storyline. We can start a new story.

When we meditate properly on impermanence, we see that every moment there is an opportunity to start again. It is always possible to begin in a new, positive way.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Impermanence gets mentioned a lot around Buddhists. How does impermanence show up in my life?

When we talk about impermanence, if we look at our lives, from childhood so many changes have taken place, in our body, in our mind. So life contains many things that have changed in our lives.

What we mean by impermanence is that things keep on changing, that things never stay the same, that is what is meant by impermanence. 

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

In many Western countries we have fought for individual rights. Does this conflict with Buddhism?

In the West, yes, there are lots of efforts to protect personal/individual rights and freedoms, to protect individual rights. This is something that we need to understand, so that it is not confused with selfishness and self-centeredness. 

There is the possibility in misunderstanding freedom and individual rights, they can become selfishness and self-centeredness. 

It is important to distinguish between the two; we need to understand each as being separate and distinct: what is self-centeredness and what is protection of rights of individuals.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Impermanence seems like a negative thing. Is there anything good about it?

This changing is not as if we are losing something because things change. 

When we think deeply about impermanence, it becomes possible to understand that this constant change that is taking place is also an opportunity for us. 

It is something that creates new options; we see that impermanence presents new opportunities for us as well.

HH, 17^th Karmapa

Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Why do we have to think about impermanence?

What we mean by impermanence is that things keep on changing. 

These changes are not something that can be stopped, they are not things we want to change, are not things that we put effort into changing. These changes naturally occur.

When we contemplate impermanence, we start to realize that this change means that moment by moment there are also opportunities, there are
limitless opportunities, continuously.

To really understand this, this is the purpose of contemplating impermanence.

HH, 17^th Karmapa

Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Of course, I realize that buy clothing made by others, food grown and prepared by others. Is that understanding interdependence?

When we say “interdependent” it is not simply a philosophy of interdependence; we need to develop a way of life that reflects this interdependence. 

The way we live our life should be wholly within this experience, this reality of interdependence.

We need to understand that existence is completely dependent upon the environment around us. 

Then we would spontaneously have a concern and care for the natural environment that we are living in, this concern would be clear and unmistakable.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

I think of myself as a pretty independent person. Buddhism seems to say that not true. Why?

Many people, many of us believe that “I” or self is something very independent, as not being dependent on anything. 

In reality, everything is dependent. 

Like our clothes, our livelihood, even our body, from our brain to our feet, there is nothing that is not dependent upon many other things outside of us. Food, clothing, even the breaths we take are dependent upon things outside of us.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

In many Western countries we have fought for individual rights. Does this conflict with Buddhism?

In the West, yes, there are lots of efforts to protect personal/individual rights and freedoms, to protect individual rights. 

This is something that we need to understand, so that it is not confused with selfishness and self-centeredness. There is the possibility in misunderstanding freedom and individual rights, they can become selfishness and self-centeredness. 

It is important to distinguish between the two; we need to understand each as being separate and distinct: what is self-centeredness and what is protection of rights of individuals.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Why are people not more kind and thoughtful toward one other?

I feel that although we have this innate quality of compassion and love, due to the discouragement, lack of confidence, or self-centeredness, the door to these innate qualities has been closed.

We need to encourage ourselves, to develop courage, so that we can live our life in a very purposeful, in a greatly beneficial way.

What we call precious human life, or in another way, that great accomplishment, great benefit and meaning in this life, the possibility exists for that. Because our way of thinking is too self-centered, it is a little bit like a prison. That is the reason that we cannot bring out the innate power that we have. 

To break ourselves out of the imprisonment of our self-centeredness, we need to develop our loving kindness and compassion. Out of that, the ability to benefit lots of beings in a great way and making life meaningful and powerful, this will be possible. 

We can make it possible by developing these qualities within us.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

What is our responsibility as a human being in this day and age?

In my case, when I was a child, before I turned seven, I was just like any other child. I spent my life as a very ordinary child, not different from anyone else.

When I was given the name of Karmapa, I did not suddenly become something different, as if I was given an injection, or some kind of special drink. It was not like that. I had to study a lot, I had to work very hard to build up the qualities of being the Karmapa.

And, from the perspective of someone who was ordinary child, I feel that all of us have these same responsibilities. I feel that we all have responsibility for ourselves, we have responsibilities for the welfare of our families and friends, and we also have responsibility for all the people of the world. 

We all have these responsibilities.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

What was it like when you became the Karmapa?

In my case, when I was a child, before I turned seven, I was just like any other child. I spent my life as a very ordinary child, not different from anyone else.

At the age of seven, I was recognized as the reincarnation of the Karmapa. When I was given the name of Karmapa, I did not suddenly become something different, as if I was given an injection, or some kind of special drink. It was not like that. I had to study a lot and work very hard to build up the qualities of being the Karmapa.

First when I got name of Karmapa, was like play of child, nothing very special. But then slowly, I understood there are responsibilities and duties attached to this name of Karmapa.

And then, since I became the Karmapa, many people with lots of devotion and strong relationship with previous Karmapa, they have great aspirations and expectations, and trust in me.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

I know and have heard of people who call themselves Buddhists who are not very good people, and it makes Buddhism not very inspiring. What do you say about that?

Practice of Dharma is not something that we do outside of the way we live our lives. Sometimes, we feel that “I am a Buddhist” or decide and declare strongly “I am a follower of the Dharma”. But then sometimes, if we look at ourselves, we are not really sure that we are a good person, or living a positive way of life.

If that is the case, then it is almost impossible for to say “I am not trying to become a good person, and “I am a practitioner of the Dharma”. They do not go together; it simply cannot be. So therefore, to practice Dharma means to become a better human being, and to become a better human being means that we live our life with Dharma practice within, an integral part of the way we live our life.

With this precious human life, we have these opportunities to become a better human being, and we also have the responsibility to become a better human being.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Do I have to change my whole life if I become a Dharma practitioner?

Dharma practice does not mean that you have to become someone totally different. We remain essentially the same, and practice is aimed at bringing out the natural positive qualities that are within us.

We have to practice the Dharma within the way we live our lives. When we become Dharma practitioners, we do not have to do totally different things. It does not require that we have to live a totally different life from what we usually live.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Are human beings naturally good or naturally bad?

We human beings have some innate qualities like loving-kindness, compassion, and this is not true only for practitioners of a spiritual path; this is something all human beings have. 

Dharma practice is about how to increasingly express these naturally positive qualities of human beings. 

Knowing that these are very important for us, Dharma practice helps us to manifest more and more these positive qualities that are inherent within us.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

What is the purpose of a precious human life?

It really is about how to conduct in our life in a way that is very meaningful and useful. Not only useful for ourselves, also so that we can be useful to others, do something great, that is beneficial to humankind, not only ourselves.

With this precious human life, we have these opportunities to become a better human being, and we also have the responsibility to become a better human being.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Why is it called a “precious human life"?

When we talk about precious human life, it means that this life is something which is very useful and which has many opportunities – positive circumstances to do positive things.  It also means that there are not many obstructions to practicing the Dharma.

But when we talk about Dharma, we are not just talking about the practice of a religion or spiritual activities. 

We are talking about how to be good human beings, how to become a better human being, with compassion, non-violence – with positive intentions and aspirations.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

What are the “common” preliminaries of ngon-dro?

The four common practices, sometimes called the four ways of turning the mind to the Dharma, are precious human life, impermanence and death, samsara, and karma.

 

The first of these is precious human life, and this is something that it is important that is important and useful for everyone, whether they are long-time and senior Dharma practitioners, or new to practice of Buddhism, or not practicing the Dharma at all.

This is something I feel is very important, because understanding this well makes our life meaningful and useful.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

What is ngon-dro and why is it important?

Ngon-dro (pronounced “nun-dro”) is a very traditional teaching and a serious practice. Because it is a traditional and serious teaching, it is difficult to present to beginners who do not know something about the Dharma.

The ngon-dro, translated as “preliminary practice” is divided into two sections – the common and uncommon, or “special” preliminary teachings.

There are four common practices and some of them apply to all human beings, whether they are practicing Dharma or not, because they help us understand how to make our lives meaningful.

HH, 17^th Karmapa
Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Does everyone have the ability to benefit others?

The main thing is that is that the methods that are taught in Buddhism releases the love for others that is present within each and every one of us. 

The wish to benefit others is something that exists deeply within all of us.

His Holiness, 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Buddhism says we are all connected. What is it that connects us to others?

My own experiences have shown me that we are all the same in experiencing feelings of happiness and sadness. 

At a fundamental level, we are the same in terms of the impressions our life experiences have made upon us.

His Holiness, 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

Ogyen Trinley Dorje

What is the importance of religion in our lives?

It is not so important to me about religion. 

What is important is, that at a fundamental level, we are all the same in being human.

His Holiness, 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

Ogyen Trinley Dorje

What is the biggest obstacle to improving ourselves?

The biggest obstacle to making changes is pride. If we think to ourselves that we are satisfied the way we are, that is not beneficial. We need to transcend this pride and these thoughts.

His Holiness, 17th Gyalwang Karmapa

Ogyen Trinley Dorje