Today, it is a pleasure to present passages from “Benefits of Saving Lives” and “Words of Advice” by Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche. “Benefits of Saving Lives” details the merits of not killing living beings and of helping animal-people to avoid slaughterhouses. Whilst “Words of Advice” emphasizes the importance of cherishing this human life and using it to achieve spiritual upliftment.
Benefits of Saving Lives
“I bow down before the Lama, Buddha Amitāyus, And the bodhisattvas in training. I shall now, in brief, describe the benefits Of freeing animals and ransoming their lives. To save animals from slaughter or any mortal danger, With entirely pure motivation and conduct, Is without doubt a practice to be taken up By all followers of the Buddha Shakyamuni. Many are the sūtras, tantras, and commentaries Which describe in detail the advantages it brings, And countless learned and accomplished masters of India and Tibet Have stressed the value and importance of benefiting beings. Even in the basic vehicle, one avoids inflicting harm on others. In the Mahāyāna, this is the very training of a bodhisattva, And in the secret mantra, a principal samaya of the ratna family.
The reasoning behind this is as follows: in this world, Nothing is as dear to someone as his or her own life, So there is no greater crime than taking life away, And no conditioned virtue brings greater merit Than the act of saving beings and ransoming their lives. Therefore, should you wish for happiness and good, Exert yourself in this, the most supreme of paths, Which is proven through scriptures and through reasoning, And is free of obstacles and potential dangers.
Consider your own body, and, with this as an example, Avoid doing anything that might bring harm to others. Make every effort not to kill any living creature – Birds, fish, deer, cattle, and even tiny insects – And strive instead to save their lives, Offering them protection from every fear. The benefit of doing so is beyond imagining. This is the best practice for your own longevity, And the greatest ritual for the living or deceased. It is my main practice of benefiting others. It dispels all external and internal adversity and obstacles; Effortlessly and spontaneously, it brings favorable conditions; And, when inspired by the noble mind of bodhicitta and Completed with dedication and pure aspiration prayers, It will lead one to complete enlightenment, And the accomplishment of one’s own and others’ welfare – Of this, you need have no doubts at all!
Those whose minds incline to virtue and acts of merit Should prohibit hunting and fishing on their land. Some birds, in particular, such as geese and cranes, Are impelled by their karma to migrate And fly south in autumn, north in spring. At times, weary from the efforts of their flight, Or having lost their way, some are forced to land, Distressed, afraid, and anxious, when this happens, You should not throw stones or shoot at them, Nor try to kill them or do them any harm. Protect them so they may easily fly once more. To offer care and affection to sentient beings In desperate situations who lack protection Brings just as much merit as the meditation On emptiness with compassion as its core – So it has been said by glorious Lord Atiśa.
Lamas, officials, monks, nuns, men, and women, In all the places over which you have control, Exert every influence and do all within your power To release animals and ransom their lives, While encouraging others to do the same. In all those places where this is done, Sickness among people […] will cease, Harvests will be plentiful, and life will be long. All will enjoy happiness and well-being in abundance, And at death let go of deluded experience, Before finding an excellent rebirth within the higher realms. Ultimately, there is no doubt that this will lead one easily To find the supreme and perfect state of awakening. In response to the request of Doctor Dordrak, […] The one called Chatral Sangye Dorje, Who strives continuously to ransom lives, Wrote down spontaneously whatever came to mind. By the merit of this, may all sentient beings Come to practice enlightened actions! Mamakoling samanta!”
Words of Advice
“Namo gurubhyaḥ! Precious master of unrepayable kindness, Pema Ledrel Tsal, Remain as the crown ornament on the top of my head, I pray! Grant your blessings so that we may find freedom here and now, From all the sufferings of saṃsāra
and its lower realms! Listen well, my dear disciples who are gathered here, For all those whose hearts have not been spoiled, consider this: The chances of finding a human existence are one in a hundred. Now that you have found one, if you fail to practice the sublime Dharma, How could you possibly expect to find such an opportunity again? This is why it is crucial that you take advantage of your situation. Conceiving of your body as a servant or a thing to ferry you about, Do not allow it to rest in idleness for even a single moment; Use it well, spurring on your entire body, speech, and mind to virtue.”
