Lama Zopa Rinpoche
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4. The freedom of not being born as a long-life god<br />
5. The freedom of not being born where no buddha has descended<br />
6. The freedom of not being born as a barbarian<br />
7. The freedom of not being born as a fool<br />
8. The freedom of not being born as a heretic<br />
The ten richnesses are:<br />
1. Being born as a human being<br />
2. Being born in a religious country<br />
3. Being born with perfect organs<br />
4. Being free of the five immediate negativities<br />
5. Having devotion to the teachings<br />
6. Being born when a buddha has descended<br />
7. Being born when the teachings have been revealed<br />
8. Being born when the complete teachings exist<br />
9. Being born when the teachings are being followed<br />
10. Having the necessary conditions to practice Dharma<br />
Because we have been born as human beings rather than in the lower realms, as hell beings,<br />
hungry ghosts or animals, we have the freedom to practice Dharma.<br />
We have not been born as long-life gods. They have awareness at the beginning and the end<br />
of their life but for its entire duration—which can last thousands or millions of human<br />
years—it’s as if they’re in a deep sleep. Because of that, these gods have no freedom to<br />
practice Dharma. We, however, have not been born as long-life gods and so we have that<br />
freedom.<br />
We have not been born in a place where the buddha has not descended, where there’s no<br />
chance to meet the Dharma. Since we have not been born in such a place, we have the<br />
freedom to practice Dharma.<br />
We have also not been born as barbarians, living in an irreligious country, where there is no<br />
chance to practice the Dharma.<br />
We are neither mutes nor fools. If we were, we would be unable to learn and practice the<br />
Dharma, but we are free from being born in that state, so we have freedom to practice<br />
Dharma.<br />
Finally, we have not been born as heretics. Heretics have very closed minds. Without an<br />
open mind, there is no freedom to understand the inner science—knowing what is beneficial<br />
and what is harmful—no freedom to attain even temporal happiness, let alone ultimate<br />
happiness. Heretics believe there is no Buddha, Dharma or Sangha, no four noble truths. We<br />
are not heretics, nonbelievers, so we should feel happy that we have the freedom to practice<br />
Dharma.<br />
It is unbelievable that we have all these eight freedoms, which are so precious. We should<br />
feel incredible happiness just thinking about it.<br />
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