Four Reminders
When Dalai Lama was asked "how one can begin practicing Buddhism" He refer them to the Four Reminders.
The practice of the four reminders is common to all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism & They all have their roots in the teachings of the Buddha. They are as follows:
1. Remember the Law of Karma
2. Appreciate this Precious Human Birth
3. Remember the truth of Death and Impermanence
4. Remember Dukkha: Inevitability of Human Suffering
(1) *** Remember the Law of Karma ***
The Law of Karma = every action is like a seed that will someday produce fruit in accordance with the nature of the seed that was sown.
· Every thought, word and deed produces a Future result.
· Our thoughts, feelings, speech, and actions create the patterns of our life experience.
· We create the conditions for our own happiness or our own suffering.
Emerson: Cause and effect, means and ends, seed and fruit, cannot be severed; for the effect already blooms in the cause, the end preexists in the means, the fruit in the seed.".
Our present situation in life is the result of our past actions.
· Don't believe in reincarnation?
o You still have a past life (Zen story)
Remember the Law of Karma [-]
*** (2) Appreciate this Precious Human Birth ***
· At time of Buddha belief in reincarnation and the existence of non-human realms of existence was universal.
o A human birth was considered very fortunate--and should be used wisely
· But not necessary to believe in reincarnation etc.
o We can appreciate all it took to create circumstances of this present moment.
· Can appreciate fact the Dharma is available to us today---
· Can appreciate fact that we are drawn to practice the Dharma --most human beings are not.
Appreciate your Precious Human Birth [-]
*** (3) Remember the Tuth of Death and Impermanence ***
· Internal world is impermanent=-thoughts /emotions constantly change,
· External world is impermanent---All you see will turn to dust.
Your body is impermanent.
· Every passing moment you are closer to death.
Clinging to anything--internal or external --will bring suffering.
· At time of death, possessions-- cherished friends/family-- cannot save you.
o Only the wisdom developed through a life well lived can be of benefit at time of death.
· ( Six Months to Live program)
Remember the Truth of Death and Impermanence [-]
*(4) Remember Dukkha: Inevitability of Human Suffering ***
Dukkha = Dissatisfaction, stress, unhappiness
· The objects, relationships and experiences of this world cannot permanently satisfy us
We are deeply conditioned to seek satisfaction in the world from the day we are born.
· The endless search for satisfaction creates craving and attachment to worldly things---this endless cycle of craving is called samsara
By contemplating the nature of Dukkha we gain deep insight into this process
· This develops wisdom and freedom from suffering.
The body produces pleasure and pain but only the mind can determine happiness or suffering.
Remember Dukkha: Inevitability of Human Suffering [-]
The Four Reminders:
1. Remember the Law of Karma
2. Appreciate this Precious Human Birth
3. Remember the truth of Death and Impermanence
4. Remember Dukkha: Inevitability of Human Suffering [=]
