Reading about bodhisattvas

I love to read inspiring stories about the bodhisattvas of old. Patrul Rinpoche, Jamgon Kongtrul and the great Khyentse Rinpoche etc. and recently I have gotten into looking at Ju Mipham Rinpoche, one of the great students of those aforementioned masters.

One of the last things he told his main attendant was that he was a bodhisattva, which explains why he didn’t have to study much to realize the meaning of many profound texts. And he also told his main attendant that this degenerate age was full of ignorant beings and as such he would not be taking rebirth in this world again

When I hear stories like this, it makes me sad. To have such great masters among us is an amazing blessing. It is rare, precious and so difficult to find. For me reading their life stories is very inspiring, however spending actual time with them in person is the most transformative experience we can have.

I have heard that for most of us, due to our karmic predispositions, we are only able to attend teachers Who are in human form. There are some stories of nuns and monks who receive teachings from dakas and dakinis, but their level of realization is quite far along. Therefore when these great bodhisattvas make statements that they are not reincarnating here again, that is extremely inspiring for me in my practice.

Sure there are a number of bodhisattvas still among us here today, But we never know how many chances we will get to attend them. Therefore make effort now. Try not to waste time today. Of course there is a time for resting there’s a time for working and there’s a time for saying prayers and meditating, just make certain to allow time for The latter. And don’t forget self-care, practicing kindness to self is the basis of a spiritual path.
Thank you for reading!

~km