The Four Seals of the Dharma. Lama Khenpo Karma Ngedön

the respect of all in the realm.

      The four seals have their origin in the sutras and are as follows:

      All conditioned phenomena are impermanent by nature.

      All contaminated phenomena are suffering by nature.

      All phenomena are empty and devoid of inherent existence.

      Nirvana is a state of absolute peace.

      The first two seals describe the characteristics of samsara:

      - Samsaric phenomena are conditioned, and they are impermanent. This is their nature.

      - They are nothing other than suffering because they are contaminated.

      The last two seals designate the characteristics of nirvana or liberation.

      - All phenomena are empty and devoid of inherent existence.

      - Nirvana is a state of absolute peace.

      12 Khenpo Ngedön gave this teaching during the month known as saga-dawa, which roughly corresponds with the month of June in the solar calendar. Khenpo Ngedön gave the following explanations, “This is the most important period of the Buddhist calendar. During this month, we celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha. It is said that if we accomplish virtuous actions during the day of the full moon—the fifteenth day of each month according to the lunar calendar—the benefit that these actions bring about will be multiplied by one hundred. Furthermore, if we carry out such actions during the month of saga-dawa, the benefit is one-hundred-thousand-fold and will have even greater reach. Therefore, we can recognize this opportunity, rejoice in it, and—conscious of this good fortune—exert ourselves to follow the teaching with joy and enthusiasm.”

      13 Intermediate state. In general, this term refers to the intermediate state between one life and the next.

      14 Shantideva, Batchelor, Stephen. A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life [Bodhisattvacharyavatara]. Dharamsala: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA), 1992-1993.