How to Face Sufferings

　　A talk given at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University on the evening of July 29th, 2011

　　Welcome Speech by Host:

　　First let me give you a brief introduction of our honorable speaker, Khenpo Sodargye.

　　Khenpo Sodargye had been following his root guru, H. H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, for many years. While he is teaching and administrating the Han Chinese disciples, he also endeavors to spread the wisdom treasures of Tibetan Buddhism throughout China and all over the world.

　　Khenpo has more than one hundred writings and translations of dharma teachings, and his work still continues. In recent years, Khenpo uses internet, videos and microblogs to broadcast dharma, guide dharma practitioners and novice Buddhists. He is also devoted to a variety of charities, such as building schools, caring for the elderly, protecting and releasing animals. Khenpo always says, “I don”t know how long I will live, but as long as I have one breath inside me, and as long as there is only one listener, I would do my best to benefit that person with the sacred Dharma!”

　　Today, the benevolent Khenpo came to us. Let all of us stand up and express our warmest welcome to him!

　　Thank you, please sit down. First let”s welcome Mr. Yiu-kuen Kam, President of the Buddhism Association at PolyU, to give the welcome speech.

　　Mr. Yiu-kuen Kam (Cantonese): What language should I speak in

　　 I think they prefer Cantonese. First, let”s welcome Khenpo Sodargye to visit and speak at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. We also appreciate our honorable guests, both from the University and outside for being here today. You are equally important to make this happen, because without all of you, Khenpo would not be able to give his talk. So many thanks to all of you!

　　Many of Khenpo”s writings and translations are very popular. I had the chance to read them and bought many of his dharma books when I was in Mainland China many years ago. We have been reading his books and hearing his teachings a lot. Today I”m very glad that I can finally meet Khenpo in person. Probably most of you have the same feeling, don”t you

　　(Mr. Kam once again repeated the introduction in Mandarin.)

　　Okay, I want to keep my introduction short and not to waste our time. Otherwise, I am afraid later my friends in mainland see the tape, they will be confused by what I am doing here.

　　Once again, I want to thank everyone for joining us, and thank Khenpo Sodargye for giving this talk. I”ll stop here. Let”s welcome Khenpo!

　　Hello, everyone! I”m very happy to visit the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. When I just arrived, Mr. Kam and several faculties showed me around the buildings on campus. After the tour, I had a feeling of being at home. Why

　　 It is because the architecture is very similar to my monastery in colors and style. I was told that the architectural style is modeled after that of the Cambridge University and the Oxford University in England, and bears the scent of Industrial Revolution, open and inclusive, and also embodies the humanistic spirit of this university.

　　As the Buddha always said, “All phenomena arise from causes and conditions; all phenomena also cease due to causes and conditions.” Worldly people also like to say, “Predestination brings together two people a thousand Li away, without it, they will not get acquainted even if they are facing to face.” Therefore, it is impossible that without a cause, all of us can gather here this evening. The cause should be in all your faith and devotion to Buddhism, and thus we have today”s topic, How to Face Sufferings.

　　Suffering is not an unfamiliar word to us. In this world, there are many sufferings. I, myself, have not broken free from sufferings, and it would be inappropriate to talk to you about it rhetorically. Neverthe…

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