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By Root 923 0

of the Dharma Wheel (known as the Traditional Way of the Elders, called Theravada, and inaccurately sometimes referred to as Hinayana) includes the Four Noble Truths, the Eight-Fold Path, the Three Marks or Characteristics of Existence (impermanence, not-self, and suffering), and interdependent co-origination (how everything comes about through cause and effect). This often is described as the Way of individual liberation, purification, and highly positive behavior. It is known as the Arhant’s (or saint’s) Way. This Theravadin Way stresses insight, purification, morality, restraint, nonharming, renunciation, and simplicity. Ancient scriptures say that on this path one will reach liberation within seven lifetimes after the initial enlightenment experience.

The Second Turning or Cycle of the Dharma Wheel (known as the Mahayana) emphasizes sunyata, which means infinite emptiness and radiant openness. This is the heroic Bodhisattva’s way of universal enlightenment; this path emphasizes the union of wisdom and compassion and unselfish attitudes. The Mahayana stresses compassion the wisdom of emptiness, openness, altruism, and fearless courage. This path can culminate in full enlightenment within a few lifetimes.

The Third Turning or Cycle of the Dharma Wheel (known as the Vajrayana) emphasizes innate Buddha-nature—spontaneous, fertile, and luminous. It elucidates non-dual tantra, unveiling the utter inseparability of nirvana and samsara, the sacred and the mundane, or heaven and earth. The Vajrayana stresses transformation, energy, empowerment, and dynamic skillful means. In this path, enlightenment has often been attained within a single lifetime.

These three approaches correspond to the Three Vehicles or major Buddhist approaches. Historically the Southern schools in Ceylon, Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia stressed the classical Hinayana and Theravada; the Northern schools in Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet, Mongolia, Korea, China, and Japan emphasized the Mahayana and Tantric Vajrayana.

According to my own teachers and the Rimé lineage (nonsectarian practice lineage) of Tibet, a secret Fourth Turning or Cycle of the Dharma Wheel is taught. This is the consummate and ultimate Buddhist teaching known in Tibetan as Dzogchen. Considered the most direct non-dual approach to awakening the Buddha within, Dzogchen stresses non-duality, ecstatic spontaneity, and the natural great perfection of things just as they are. Dzogchen masters teach that one can achieve enlightenment in this very lifetime, even in as few as three or seven years through assiduous practice.

An important thing to remember about the words of the Buddha are that these are the teachings of a living person who reached enlightenment and who, out of his kindness and compassion, shared what he knew with others. He was a visionary pathfinder, a pioneer, a wise teacher who pointed out a new way. It has been said that the Buddha was so sensitive and aware that he was able to understand the vast differences among diverse groups of people and beings. Legend tells us that when the Buddha taught the Dharma, all listeners heard exactly what they individually needed to hear, each in his or her own language.

Here today in the West that sacred Dharma Wheel is still in motion, a current of truth in motion. These truths resonate with seekers today just as they did centuries ago. The new turning of the Dharma Wheel is now your turn. You can bring forth your own truth, your Dharma, your own true vocation, in your own way. In fact, it is incumbent upon each of us to do so.

The Dharma of Realization

Just as important as the words of the Buddha are the ways we each realize these teachings for ourselves. Tibetan masters say that we are exceedingly fortunate because our human existence makes it possible for us to develop a genuine Dharma practice. They also teach that everything that happens in life is part of your path. Thus every moment is an opportunity for awakening; every single experience you have can be assimilated into your spiritual life.

Keep that in mind, and, for just a moment,