FLAME OF HOPE IN DARK TIMES
When the dark age burns like fire,
compassion will rise,
spreading through the world like wildfire.
The hidden teaching is compassion itselfâ
the heartâs wish
that all beings be free from suffering.
The indestructible sound
is the voice of wakefulness within,
the unbroken call of love.
When rivers grow poisoned
and nations rage in endless wars,
this inner voice falls like rain,
restoring the soil of the heart.
When hatred spreads like flames of war,
the same voice transforms the fire,
turning anger into light.
So do not despair,
you who carry the flame within.
Even in the darkest night,
a single spark of compassion
can set the world ablaze with hope.
A Flame in the Dark Age â Inspired by Guru Rinpoche | Created with AI | Ken Thornton
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AMONG MANY, EXAMINE YOUR SPEECH
WHEN YOU STAY ALONE, EXAMINE YOUR MIND
~ATISA
AtiĆa DÄ«paáč
kara ĆrÄ«jñÄna (980â1054) was a Bengali Indian Buddhist scholar and master who traveled widely. He was instrumental in reviving Buddhism in Tibet during the 11th century. His teaching style emphasized simplicity, ethical discipline, and compassion. His most famous text, The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment (BodhipathapradÄ«pa), became the basis for Tibetan Lamrim (stages of the path) traditions.
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ENJOYMENT IS NOT THE PROBLEM!
~Tilopa
Enjoyment is not the problem,
Attachment is! ~ Tilopa
âIf you are free of clinging, you are free of samsara. If you cling to nothing, you go beyond all fear.â ~ Tilopa
Tilopa (c. 988â1069) was an Indian mahasiddha and wandering yogi revered as a root founder of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Trained by both human gurus and ážÄkinÄ«s, he distilled the path of MahÄmudrÄâdirect recognition of the mindâs natureâinto pith instructions like the famous âSix Words of Adviceâ (let go of past, future, and present; stop overanalyzing; stop forcing; rest naturally). Tilopaâs emblematic attributes are a fish (unconventional, direct wisdom) and a skull cup (transforming impurities into realization). He taught NÄropa, whose hardships and realizations became the basis for the Kagyu transmission into Tibet. Tilopaâs name comes from âtilaâ (sesame), recalling the period he worked as a sesame grinder while practicing in secretâsymbolizing simple life, fierce practice, and uncompromising insight.
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WHEN THE LIGHT OF WISDOM SHINES
~MILAREPA
On the Path of Hope
âWhen the light of wisdom shines,
Darkness and confusion vanish.
Just as the dawn dispels the night,
Compassion and truth can transform this world.â
---
On Greed and Worldly Power
âWhen one has not tamed oneâs own mind,
The more one tries to rule the outer world, the more enemies will appear.
To conquer the world without conquering desire
Is like trying to empty the ocean with a ladle.â
---
On Climate and Nature
âSnow mountains, forests, and rivers are my companions.
When man forgets his harmony with nature,
Calamities and famine arise,
And beings destroy the earth that gives them life.â
---
On War and Violence
âIn anger, people make weapons of words and steel.
But he who conquers anger with patience
Conquers greater armies than any king.â
---
On the Futility of Wealth
âWealth and riches are like dew upon the grass â
They vanish with the morning sun.
Who can say they are lasting?
They are like a dream in the night, soon gone.â
---
On Inner Peace Amid Outer Chaos
âWhen the storm comes, the mountain does not move.
Be like the mountain â unmoved by anger, desire, or fear.
Then, even in times of turmoil,
You will remain at peace.â
178 - 9
A PRAYER OF HOPE FOR ALL BEINGS đ
May all who sufferâ
from the weight of injustice,
from the wounds of hatred and prejudice,
from the flames of war and the shaking of the earth,
from loneliness, fear, and despairâ
find peace in their hearts.
May compassion awaken in us,
that we may no longer turn away,
nor remain silent in the face of suffering.
May wisdom guide our leaders,
gentleness guide our speech,
and courage guide our actions.
May we remember our shared breath,
our shared home,
our shared destiny.
And may hope arise,
like the dawn after long darkness,
bringing healing to humankind,
to the earth,
and to all beings without exception.
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WALKING THE PATH OF WISDOM
â Padampa Sangye
If one just intellectually understands the view, it will not help! One must actually experience it! There are many people who understand the view but donât experience it. If the view were experienced, they wouldnât act the way they do!"**
â Padampa Sangye
Padampa Sangye (died 1117) was an Indian Buddhist monk, tantric master, and wandering teacher who traveled widely across India, Tibet, and China. Known for his unconventional style and profound wisdom, he founded the Pacification of Suffering (ZhijĂ©) tradition in Tibet and became a revered figure in the region of Tingri, where he gave his famous âOne Hundred Versesâ of spiritual advice. His teachings emphasized direct experience over mere intellectual understanding, encouraging practitioners to live their wisdom fully in daily life.
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WHEN AWARENESS BLAZES, EVEN DARKNESS BECOMES LIGHT ~ GURU RINPOCHE
When the lamp of awareness blazes without cease, the shadows of confusion dissolve, and even the deepest darkness becomes light. In this radiance, all paths are clear, and every step is the way to awakening.
A modern poetic rendering, inspired by the wisdom of Guru Rinpoche.
305 - 12
THE EXTENT OF YOUR REALIZATION
~ H.E. Garchen Rinpoche
Khenpo MĂŒnsel Rinpoche taught me this: "The extent of your realization will be known 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 will you know where you are at with practice. He added: "Adverse circumstances will reveal your hidden faults." If you are able to hold awareness unwaveringly during such a time, and thus if you are not carried away by the force of the emotion, it is a sign that you have gained experience in practice.
The Eighth Garchen Rinpoche, also called Garchen Triptrul Rinpoche, is a Tibetan Buddhist teacher in the Drikung Kagyu lineage. Wikipedia
Born: April 1936 , NangqĂȘn County
Lineage:Â Drikung Kagyu
School:Â Kagyu
Reincarnation:Â 7th Gar Rinpoche
Title: His Eminence the Eighth Garchen Rinpoche
Books: Mahamudra Teachings, MahÄmudrÄ: Emaho
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Ken Thornton ThunderBeing Films
This channel is devoted to sharing the wisdom of Buddhist philosophy, capturing the stark beauty of desert landscapes through videography, and exploring Native American heritageâhighlighting petroglyphs and ancient ruins across the American Southwestâthrough immersive videos and clear, down-to-earth YouTube community posts
All suffering comes from wanting your own happiness. Complete awakening arises from the intention to help others.