This is Lesson 44 from A Comprehensive Commentary on the Words of My Perfect Teacher, continuing the study of the ephemeral hells within the chapter on "The defects of samsara." The lesson opens with a reflection on the importance of diligent, sequential Dharma study, honouring the example set by Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, who always placed teaching and hearing the Dharma above all else. The teacher then presents several vivid scriptural accounts of ephemeral hell beings — including a frog discovered inside a split rock by the siddha Tangtong Gyalpo, a frog found inside a floating log by Abbot Palden Chökyong, and a community of monks who fight each other at mealtimes as karmic retribution for past quarrels. A significant portion of the lesson addresses the serious consequences of animal sacrifice and the misuse of monastic funds, drawing on stories from classical texts. The teacher strongly advocates for vegetarianism, citing both ethical and karmic grounds, and quotes Patrul Rinpoche's vivid critique of lamas who consume meat offerings. The lesson concludes by emphasising that true practice lies in examining and taming the mind — not in outward appearance or intellectual knowledge — referencing Nagarjuna and Sakya Pandita.
Practice Guide
To practice the meditation related to this teaching, please refer to:
