Based upon the Buddha's life, the fundamental aspects of meditation and how to act as a dharma practitioner can be understood. Although for many people, they simply view the Buddha's life as a historical story. It may give some inspiration, but they do not see beyond that.

However, the Buddha's life is an example which represents each and every one of us. If we analyze his life story, and contemplate on it, we can see how it contains teachings and examples for us to follow.

The Buddha was born as a prince in ancient India. At that time, there were four main castes. The highest of course being the caste of the brahmins (priests). The second caste was that of the ruling monarchs and warriors; the Buddha belonged to this second caste.

His life was an example for us, it sends a very important message for practitioners. The Buddha was born as an ordinary man and presented himself in that way. He was not a god or something similar. Instead he was an ordinary being who, through practice, became a special being. He presented himself as unenlightened first, this is very important.

Right now we too are ordinary men and women. If the Buddha was always a special being, someone who was born "enlightened," then his life story would not be special! His life story would have no meaning because ordinary beings like us would always be stuck in the position of an ordinary being; we could never become enlightened.

So the Buddha, born as Siddhartha Guatama, appeared in the world. He lived purposely to be an example for us to follow.

Not only did Siddhartha appear as a human, but he also acted as an ordinary prince. He slept, ate, got an education and got married. In India, during that time, a prince of his position had thousands of consorts.

Siddhartha's royal lifestyle was full of worldly enjoyments. There were elephants and games. Dancing girls and wine were always available. His family was rich, so everything was luxurious. Even the flowers were changed every hour, so that the prince would never see old and wilted flowers. The world which Siddhartha knew was very charming, magnificent and beautiful.

One day though, Siddhartha was shocked to see how things are different. He never knew that a flower got old. How could a colorful and radiant flower become wrinkled and fall apart? Such a truth shocked him. Siddhartha then began to wonder about how much did he not know. Outside of his palace, what was the world like, Siddhartha would think?

The King Suddhodana, Siddhartha's father, became worried. Siddhartha wished to travel outside of the palace, where he never went before. When still a baby, a fortuneteller informed Siddhartha's parents that Siddhartha would become either the King of kings or a great saint. His father of course wanted Siddhartha to be a universal ruler. His father like many people was motivated in this way due to his attachment to money and power.

The King finally gave permission to his son Siddhartha to see outside the palace. It was by royal command that all subjects clean the streets, make the city beautiful and hide all ugly sights. Everyone followed the King's instruction.

Prince Siddhartha left the palace and began to see certain things for the first time. Even though everyone tried to hide ugly sights, an old man appeared. When Siddhartha saw this old man he was taken by total surprise. For the first time he met someone with no hair, old and ugly.

Siddhartha pleaded desperately with his chariot-driver, Channa. He asked why does this man look like this? Channa finally explained that this is called old age, everyone who is born, who lives long enough, will reach this old age.

Again Siddhartha was stunned, questioning, "If they live long enough?" Channa was forced to explain that we die. Siddhartha felt upset and returned to the palace, thinking about what he saw.

After a few days the Prince and Channa went out again. This time Siddhartha saw a dead corpse, it was cold like a stone and colorless. He couldn't imagine that a little while ago that corpse was a living man walking on earth. He asked Channa if this happens to everyone. Still, Siddhartha was not satisfied.

"Will this even happen to me, a prince," he kept asking? Channa had to explain that the queen, king, ministers, even the highest of the high were all going to face death. In the same way Siddhartha also discovered upon leaving the palace that birth and sickness also exist.

After seeing birth, old age, sickness and death, Siddhartha thought very deeply. He didn't see any use in becoming King. "One day I will be King, the next day I will be like a dead stone, burned to ashes. There is no point in clinging to my position."

Siddhartha realized that he must find a way to escape birth, old age, sickness and death.

The Prince felt that as a King he can give money to the poor, provide houses for people and give the sick medicine. But, he still would not be a good king if he couldn't free his people from the suffering of birth, old age, sickness and death.

So, Siddhartha escaped the palace, determined to find a way to end the suffering of the world. After doing so, after many years of practice and searching, he became the Buddha, fully enlightened to the truth about the world.

Most of us have never dared to step outside our "palace." We try to deny sickness and death. Even society does this. If I was to ask all the men in here to write their will, it might be okay to ask. But if I asked the young boys to do so, people would be offended and consider it unacceptable. There is so much ignorance here, do men always die before young men? An eleven year old can pass away before a ninety year old man.

Every second, every breath we get closer to death. As we age, the more wrinkles add on. But we ignorantly deny death.

So, if you are a follower of the Buddha's teachings, you do not need to go the temple all the time or chant mantras ---what you must do is get out of your "palace!" Metaphorically of course, break out of it.

Realize that death is there, don't deny it. Even myself (Khyentse Rinpoche) will be only "history" one day, with only some photos and audio tapes remaining. One's family can put your name on a shrine and pay homage, but you can be a bird somewhere and not know this is even going on.

The essence of Buddhism is to understand life. We should understand its true meaning. We often just nod our head, and with our mouth agree that life is impermanent. But we still think that death happens to other people and not to ourself.

Sometimes people hear about what Buddhist say about life and death. They might say that we always bring bad news. It is not bad news or pessimistic, it is a fact. We cannot deny the fact, we need to contemplate it. Otherwise you will be shocked and disappointed. There will be more suffering later on if we reject it now.

Life is precious. If you want to live long, drink some Ginseng maybe. But we will die. So for now we must enjoy life and live it properly. If you have an hour to live eat good food and drink your ginseng. Right now we should appreciate life because it is impermanent.

Everything we do in life is worth to have a celebration, whether it is going back home safely or eating without chocking to death. Every moment we should celebrate life and not waste it, because our life is impermanent.

What do we do then once we break out of our "palace?" We sit straight, breath and do meditation.

Chanting can bring inspiration and create devotion during meditation. It is like when someone wishes to say that they love someone, they can hold a guitar and sing. It makes the mood more romantic and causes more emotions. Like chanting creates a fuller meditative atmosphere and can benefit one's practice.

We need to acquire wisdom from others. We need a teacher who knows the truth and can aid us in being free from suffering. It is like when a mother has wisdom and stops her baby from touching a hot iron. A devoted child will listen to the mother, but if the child isn't devoted he might touch it and get burned.

Buddha knows that aggression burns, passion burns, ignorance burns. We are like babies who need to be bestowed the Buddha's wisdom, so we won't be burned by these afflictions. Some of us are stubborn and must work on this.

Realization of the nature of the mind, which cannot be explained though speech, can only be achieved by meditation. We should increase love and compassion and avoid being angry.

It is the cause of great joy that everyone has worked hard, in particular, to create this Dharma Center. This is not because it is my dharma center. It is because the Buddha's teachings are so precious and profound. If even one word of his teachings gets into the ear of someone, that is very beneficial; it is the same if someone sees a Buddha statue for a glimpse.

These circumstances are the foundation for dharma practice. They leave an imprint and connection with the individual. There is a lot of merit in giving the dharma to people.

Accumulating merit does not necessarily mean you have to make a butter lamp offering, or give a generous donation to poor people. The best merit is giving yourself and others the chance to hear and practice the dharma.

Unfortunately, very few people give this gift of the dharma; this gift is the only source of enlightenment which uproots all of samsara.

Now, I don't except that those creating a dharma center to be perfect, tenth bhumi bodhisattvas. I except ten or twenty human beings to come together. There might be some imperfection and disharmony.

Nonetheless, no one should be discouraged. We come here to become perfect, so don't expect to be perfect already. Also, do not get involved with the human emotions of anger, jealousy and the rest; don't feel upset if others talk bad about something or are critical.

It is like when a beautiful girl walks down the street with an ugly boyfriend, other men get jealous that she is with such an ugly man. This is how the human mind judges people, but we shouldn't fall into this pattern.

One must do what is necessary and create space so people can learn about the dharma. Even non-humans, spirits, nagas, etc., benefit from this. So, rejoice! We can have some ginseng.

dharma talk delivered in Kuantan, Malaysia in 2000.

transcribed and edited by Simhanada, 2002