In this short talk on how to train our heart-mind (Tibetan: lojong), Dorjé Lopön Dr. Lye expounds on this quote from Kyabje Garchen Rinpoche:

“In prison Khenpo Munsel taught me this – “The extent of your realization will be know when you encounter difficult circumstances. You will not know the extent of your realization when things go well.” When you find yourself in a troublesome situation, when you are in great pain, when an intense emotion arises, only then you will know where are you are at with your practice.”

Dorjé Lopön Dr. Lye gives a teaching on a particular text from The Udana—an early set of teachings that the Buddha gave—called the Tittha Sutta (or ‘Discourse on Those with Wrong Views’). Here, the Buddha in not so many words explained the process of “I-making” that gives rise to the illusion of a stable “I” and issuing from that, the enslaving and oppressive concepts of “me” and “mine.” If we recognize this process, we have within our grasp the way to free ourselves from entanglements and the dissatisfactions/sufferings that follow entanglements.

Dorjé Lopön Dr. Lye gives a teaching on a particular section of The Udana—an early set of teachings that the Buddha gave—known as the Sakkāra Sutta (or “Discourse on Veneration”). When a group of his monks who felt besieged by unfriendly and jealous ascetics of other spiritual traditions came to the Buddha for advice, the Buddha used the occasion to point them/us inwards: “When in contact with pleasure or pain, in village or wilderness, don’t take it was yours or others’.” Thus when difficulties arise, the first step we should take is to turn our attention inwards so that we can unentangle ourselves.

In this talk, Dr. Lye begins by re-telling the story of how Siddhartha transformed himself from an ordinary, confused being to a fully awakened one (i.e. buddha) and proceeds to illuminate the basic Buddhist view of “what is the problem?” and “what is the solution?” with ancient stories and contemporary anecdotes. This is an excellent teaching for those looking for a clear and relatable presentation of the gist of the Buddha’s teachings and their implications for how we should live our lives.

Feeling pulled and pushed helplessly and haphazardly? Frustrated by the roller-coaster of highs of elated joy and lows of dark depression? Experiencing being simultaneously stuck and spiraling out of control? Dr. Hun Lye will lead us in an exploration of ancient Buddhist teachings on “angels and demons” developed by the 11th century, Tibetan woman-saint, Machik Lapdron based on her personal realizations and Indian Buddhist and Tibetan shamanic traditions.

Dr. Lye’s unique style of presentation will make this profound subject both accessible and insightful to everyone regardless of any background in Buddhism or Asian spirituality.

Talk 1A

Talk 1B

Talk 2A

Talk 2B

This series of talks focuses on broadening notions of contemplation – as a way of life rather than as a “practice.” Rather than considering meditation to be figuring out a technique, Dr. Hun Lye focuses on contemplation as a process of restructuring and reorganizing our attitude to life. This teaching is anchored on a brief lojong text from the Tibetan tradition, “Eight Verses for Training the Mind” by Geshe Langri Tangpa.

Talk 1A

Talk 1B

Talk 2A

Talk 2B