Gyalsey_Laglen_v2_24092014_e-book

Buddha is the one who taught the Dharma. When we refer to the practice of
the Buddha, we are referring to following the genuine Dharma, not the colourful
or fabricated dharma. The genuine Dharma has to be cultivated and practised
from different angles. The three yanas*: Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana are
based purely on the inner capacity of each person’s understanding. It may sound
similar to first, second and third class compartments on a train but it’s not like
that.
Vajrayana, the highest level or the bullet train, is the quickest vehicle. The
Mahayana is great but not as quick and the Hinayana, the slowest vehicle, is like
walking. It all depends on what sort of category you are inwardly inclined towards.
If you are Vajrayana then you are in Vajrayana. If you are Hinayana, then you
are in Hinayana. And if you are Mahayana, then you are in Mahayana. But you
have to be that path. The path and you are inseparable, so you can turn yourself
into that reality. You literally have to be Hinayana, Mahayana or Vajrayana. This
is how it works. According to your development, you will automatically be there
when you practise.
The development I am talking about is your own development, for instance,
your development of compassion, which is the essence of the Buddha’s path. If
you develop a strong and genuine compassion, nothing can prevent you from
going into a higher vehicle. You are already there. The vehicle is not the issue. As
you develop, you become that vehicle. So the way of reaching Buddhahood is by
developing your compassion, love and kindness etc. Buddhahood is not reserved
for some and not for others. No, Buddhahood is free for all. It is available to all of
us - all nationalities, men, women, everyone. But it is not available to those who
are not practising.
I say this is because when people talk about great realised beings such as
Milarepa or others, they never seem to think they themselves can be that way.
I always expect them to ask, “How do we follow this path in order to make
ourselves like that person” This is the kind of concerns they should have but
they do not seem to be having that. They talk as if great masters suddenly just
appeared from somewhere. “We aren’t great, so how can we be like them We
can’t hope to be like them.” Lacking confidence, they are already discouraged.
It is wrong to think that we cannot be like them. “We are full of defilements,
desire, anger, jealousy; how can we possibly be like that great person It’s
impossible.” We will never be able to develop ourselves by putting ourselves
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