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“Even if we understand nothing else, if, by recognizing the eight worldly dharmas, we can clearly differentiate between what is Dharma and what is not Dharma, we’re very fortunate. This is the essential point. This knowledge alone gives us a great chance to really put Dharma practice into our daily life and create an incredible amount of merit.” —Lama Zopa Rinpoche
When our late revered teacher Geshe Tsulga was asked why Westerners are interested in Buddhism he replied simply, “Because they want to be happy.” It’s true. We all want to be happy but most of the time real happiness eludes us. Buddhism—Dharma practice—is the true method of finding the happiness we want. So, we need to learn to practice Dharma. The essence of Dharma practice is abandoning attachment; in other words, abandoning the eight worldly dharmas. In this three-week series we will explore exactly what that means, using Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s new book How to Practice Dharma.
Required reading: How to Practice Dharma . Only $10, available at the Center.
Dr. Nicholas Ribush received his medical degree from Melbourne University, Australia, in 1964. He first encountered Buddhism at Kopan Monastery, Nepal, in 1972, since when he has been a student of (the late) Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche and a full time worker for the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). He served on the FPMT board from its inception in 1983 to 2002. He was a monk in the Tibetan tradition from 1974 to 1986; established FPMT archiving and publishing activities at Kopan in 1973; and with Lama Yeshe founded Wisdom Publications in 1975.
Between 1981 and 1996 he served variously as Wisdom's director, editorial director and director of development. In 1996 he founded the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive (www.lamayeshe.com), which he still directs. He founded Kurukulla Center in 1989, was center director for the next four years and again throughout 2008 - 2010.
Having given up a career in medicine to dedicate his life to an even more meaningful path, Nick imparts with great clarity and humor the wisdom of the Buddha's teachings. He has changed the course of many people's lives through his talks.
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