Sunday

The arising of bodhicitta, the compassionate wish to attain the enlightened state of a Buddha for the benefit of all beings, must rely on us having great self-confidence in the fact that we can actually attain Buddhahood.

Don't give up. Unfortunately, a number of practitioners have low self-esteem. They think, "It's impossible for me to achieve Buddhahood, it only happens to others. I have such a distracted mind, a mind full of disturbing emotions. There is just no way that I can achieve omniscience and benefit countless beings. It's just impossible for me to even contemplate such a thing."

There are numerous ways to overcome this low self-esteem. One way is to read the biographies of the many past practitioners of Buddhism who've achieved Buddhahood. Many of them met with far more challenges in their lives than what we're currently experiencing in ours.

Even Shakyamuni Buddha himself, before he reached enlightenment, had many rebirths in states far worse than what we're experiencing now. He once had far stronger disturbing emotions than what we're currently experiencing now. He once carried out far more destructive actions than what we've ever done in this life. But based on his Buddha-nature he managed to achieve enlightenment.

We must develop great self-confidence, we must sincerely believe, "I have Buddha-nature! I can do it! If Shakyamuni Buddha did, so can I!"

Now this is very different from pride – that puffed up arrogant state of mind that causes problems for ourselves and others. So while we have great self-confidence in the fact that we can become a Buddha, instead of pride, our actions must remain humble.

Chamtrul Rinpoche

Monday

Only the impossible is worth doing.

Akong Rinpoche

Tuesday

Until you perfect the view, do not count your practice in years or months. But instead decide to dedicate the whole remainder of your life to Dharma practice. This is the approach of the very best practitioners.

Yangthang Rinpoche

Wednesday

The result of learning, contemplation, and meditation should be a steady and real increase in the love and compassion of bodhicitta, together with a steady and real diminution of ego-clinging and negative thinking.

Patrul Rinpoche

Thursday

Whatever perceptions arise, you should be like a little child going into a beautifully decorated temple; he looks, but grasping does not enter into his perception at all. You leave everything fresh, natural, vivid and unspoiled.

When you leave each thing in its own state, then its shape doesn't change, its color doesn't fade and its glow does not disappear. Whatever appears is unstained by any grasping.

Dudjom Rinpoche

Friday

Develop the mind of equilibrium. You will always be getting praise and blame, but do not let either affect the poise of the mind: follow the calmness, the absence of pride.

Shakyamuni Buddha

Saturday

You are not alone because all the time there are numberless buddhas and bodhisattvas surrounding you, everywhere loving you, guiding you, that is what they do.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche