It is an unfortunate idea that some people feel that in order to be a spiritual person, these two things cannot co-exist. That one must give up the idea of attaining wealth in order to become a spiritual person. Spirituality, on the Vajrayana path means cultivating an open-ness; a kindness of the heart. The essence of this path is to open up the heart as well as to open the mind. When you do this, you gain a much wider perspective of things. It’s not just all black or all white. Going through this experience will be different for each person. Each person’s journey is going to be different because each person is unique.
A spiritual person must be willing and open to becoming rich. We begin by cultivating an inner richness. By being kind and compassionate to ourselves and to others. Judgements are dropped and are replaced by sincere compassion. We practice honesty and sincerity in business and support one another’s efforts which brings about many successes that will benefit everyone, not just our own. We look for opportunities to cultivate a community of successes.
Material wealth is considered an outer wealth. The emphasis must first be placed upon cultivating one’s inner wealth, both in the heart and in the mind….. and not to become so attached to the outer. Financial wealth alone is only about finding a wealth on the surface. It is not right or wrong but is not deep enough. To go deeper, and to develop inner wealth, we learn dharma and then we put it into practice through our actions. We cultivate a good heart in order to connect with other people’s hearts because a person with a good heart is able to see the goodness in all other beings.
Motivation is always very important. It should be to sincerely bring light to the darkness of all hearts. When heart meets heart, there is an openness. When hate meets hate, we are closed.Volunteering is the important action of willingness to give up yourself in order to become useful. Be willing to open yourself up, to give and to allow yourself to be used in a way that you are beneficial to others.
This advice was shared by Singha Rinpoche on the 16th April 2017, during the weekly Dharma Teaching on Wealth & Spirituality
Dharma Wisdom
Sacred Mirror
The Sacred Mirror represents consciousness and the element of space. Clear, pure and bright, the mirror reflects all phenomena objectively without bias, thereby reminding us to practice objectivity and to rise above our judgmental minds. On a more subtle level, it reflects the Buddha’s core teaching of emptiness – that nothing exists on its own side without a dependent arising cause.
Pinnacle of the mirror
The pinnacle of the mirror, formed by the white crescent moon, flaming red sun and an orange flame of fire, represents the completion stage of Vajrayana practice.
Light Rays
The light rays radiating from the Sacred Mirror represent the flourishing of the Buddha’s teachings, fanning out to the furthest reaches of the universe.
Full Moon Disc
The moon disc represents Bodhicitta, the aspiration to become a Buddha to benefit all sentient beings.
Blue Lotus
Divinely fragrant, blue lotuses bloomed only in the Buddha’s time. By incorporating it into the temple’s logo, it is symbolic of the ever-present Buddha in Thekchen Choling. Moreover, a lotus flower represents purity, perfection, compassion and renunciation, similar to how the beautiful lotus remains untainted even though it had arisen out from the muddy waters.
Nine Precious Jewels
These nine precious jewels represent the Guru, Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, yidam or mind-seal deity, Dharma protector, the sky, earth, and the human realm.
Two Dragons
The two dragons represent continuity and harmony and create the cause for the temple to enjoy the strong support of members and benefactors for Dharma to flourish.
Golden Khata
The flowing golden khata represents the auspicious increase of all Dharma activities.
The Seven Gems of the Chakravartin or a Wheel-Turning King
1. The precious horse represented by a unicorn’s horn
2. The precious elephant represented by its tusks
3. The precious queen represented by round golden earrings
4. The precious minister represented by square golden earrings
5. The precious general represented by a pair of crossed swords
6. The precious jewel represented by the triple-eyed gem
7. The precious Dharma wheel represented by a branch of coral
