The celebrated scholar, Jikme Tenpé Nyima, the third Dodrupchen Rinpoche (1865-1926), was one of the principal Nyingma teachers of Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodrö, and also exchanged many teachings with Tertön Sogyal, Sogyal Rinpoche's predecessor. In this compilation of recent teachings, Sogyal Rinpoche introduces and essentialises Jikme Tenpé Nyima's Kyiduk Lamkhyer, or 'Turning Suffering and Happiness into Enlightenment', a heart-advice that brings together 'a hundred different crucial instructions into one single point.'
Normally, we seek happiness outside ourselves, perhaps in the form of a partner or a job, or in other things that are not entirely under our control. The outcome of such a search is completely uncertain, and is unlikely to work out as we planned. If we ourselves are not happy, we could have every possible material advantage and yet still not be satisfied. Happiness depends entirely on the mind, so we should seek happiness within, by working with our mind.
One of the mind's most marvellous qualities is that it can be transformed. 'Turning Suffering and Happiness into Enlightenment' shows how we can purify our conditioned mind, and gain independence and freedom from it. We effect change within ourselves by working with our attitude. If we can conquer our perceptions, then everything we perceive, and everything that appears will be a cause for happiness.
A true practitioner sees suffering as something that inspires renunciation and as a joyful opportunity for the purification of negative karma. Such a practitioner would welcome happiness with gratitude, and recognize it as a wonderful opportunity for investing in the positive actions of generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, meditation and wisdom.
