Reflection on the 4 Reminders

The 4 Reminders are preliminary practices in the Tibetan Tradition.  I have found them incredibly useful in reminding myself the importance and urgency of Dharma practice on a daily basis.

1. Precious Human Rebirth
2. Impermanence
3. Karma
4. Samsara

1. On our precious human rebirth, especially after reading Lama Zopa Rinpoche's book, I feel immensely grateful for the precious human rebirth, having the 8 freedoms and 10 richness, and knowing therefore how difficult it is to obtain such a rebirth. This is the first message of the urgency of practice.

2. On impermanence, the Tibetan saying comes to my mind, "Tomorrow or next life, which comes first I don't know." Impermanence reinforces the message, highlighting the fragility of the human life.

3. On Karma, understanding that we are having this lifetime must be due to diligent efforts made in past lives, and that without diligent efforts this lifetime, causes to encounter the Dharma will not be created for future lives. Meaning if I waste this precious opportunity to do Dharma practice, I am not just wasting this one lifetime, but that I am potentially squandering countless past lives' efforts as well as future lives. Much more is at stake than I can imagine.

4. On Samsara, understanding the nature of Samsara is suffering. If I do not practice then untold suffering awaits in future lives.

All these comes together as:
1. Being grateful for this precious human rebirth
2. Wishing that my life & practice will be of benefit to all
3. Reinforcing my aspiration for rebirth in Amituofo Pure Land

The Perfect Human Rebirth

Just read the book: The Perfect Human Rebirth by Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Highly recommended to recharge our motivation to do Dharma Practice as it will remind us of the preciousness of the perfect human rebirth and not to waste this precious opportunity to practice.

This quote from within the book sums it up:

When we understand the freedoms and richness we have with this perfect human rebirth and how difficult it is to find this life again, there is no way we can feel any comfort unless we are practicing Dharma.

General Reflection after reading:

1. To waste this precious human rebirth is to squander the efforts of past, present life and future lives.
2. Grateful for this perfect human rebirth, I pray that may my life be of benefit to all beings.

Specific Reflection for practitioners like me seeking Pure Land rebirth:

4. Core daily practice must revolve around daily reminder of re-birth aspiration.

I vow that, along with other Pure Land cultivators,
I will be reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss,
See Amituofo, escape Birth and Death,
And rescue all, as the Buddha does.

5. Dedication of Merit to all beings.

May the merit and virtue accrued from this work adorn Amituofo Pure land,
repay the four great kindness above,
and relieve the suffering of those on the three paths below.

May those who see or hear of these efforts generate the Bodhi-mind,
spend their lives devoted to the Buddha Dharma,
and finally be reborn together in the land of Ultimate Bliss. Amituofo.

Both reflections done under the following context:

3. Tomorrow or next life which comes first, I don't know.