Lama Zopa Rinpoche

This time, with this human body, it should be different. We have a different body, a different
life, a different way of thinking from the animals, so it should be different. But since there is
no Dharma in our life, there is no real difference between the animals and us. Our mind is
the same as that of animals and insects in that we are all only working for this life. The only
difference is that this time we don’t have horns or a tail. But besides not having a tail or
horns, we are no different at all from the animals and insects.
To use the traditional examples, if we have a boat capable of crossing a river or an ocean, we
should use it. Or, if a group of heroes ready to help us destroy an enemy has gathered, we
should use it. That of course does not mean to harm others, which is what normal people do
in the world. Here it means knowing the Dharma, using it to subdue the mind. The enemy is
the inner enemy; there is no external enemy. If we have anger, delusion and so forth in our
mind—the inner enemy—we will always have external enemies. If there is no inner enemy,
there can be no external enemy.
Nagarjuna said,
Killing the inner enemy of anger is like killing all external enemies.
When you have heat, water and fertilizer you must plant your crops;
When you have a skillful horse you must take the opportunity to travel to distant places.
Killing the inner enemy of anger is like killing all external enemies; if we have no anger we
can have no external enemies. Therefore we must practice Dharma while we have the
opportunity. This is analogous to the need to plant crops whenever the right conditions
come together: heat and water and fertilizer.
There is also the analogy of the skillful horse. If we are lucky enough to have a skillful horse
we should take the opportunity to travel to faraway places. Of course, these days we can go
by car or plane. But anyway, this is really the time to do our best, to make our life most
beneficial for sentient beings as well as ourselves by learning Dharma, knowing Dharma and
practicing Dharma.
While our cow is giving milk, we must milk her. We must not just waste the opportunity by
not taking it. Whenever opportunities present themselves we should take them, otherwise
they will just be wasted. These are all examples. When in the land of wish-granting jewels,
take them.
Due to past merit we have received this precious human rebirth, with its five senses intact.
Furthermore we have met the Buddha’s teachings, we have met a guru, a virtuous friend, and
we have every opportunity to practice Dharma. Now is the time. This is the time for us to
make our mind free, to develop contentment and inner happiness, to overcome our
confusion and problems. While at present we might be experiencing much disturbance and
suffering because of our attachment, we can replace all that with peace and happiness. We
must practice Dharma to achieve the happiness of all future lives all the way up to liberation
and enlightenment. There is no other way.
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