Gampopa Center

Medan, Mani House, November 24, 2023, Lama Phurbu Tashi Rinpoche

Humanity First

It could have been done in the past. It may not be done in the future. That means we have to do it now. Let’s not put our countries, religions, races, or gender first. We should put our humanity first, and everything else is secondary. Look into the past—humans have fought and been brutal to each other. They always had reasons, believing that killing each other was the solution. But it has always been the wrong reason, creating more problems or different versions of the same problems. Let’s not continue this way—the failed ways of the past. Humanity first does not mean you have to sacrifice yourself for others or do a lot of charity work. It simply means we do not create problems for others because of these secondary matters or differences. Because the number one thing, the most basic thing, is that we are a human family. This is not something we have to learn or believe—it is a reality.

“The Buddha presented unique and rare teachings, the only path that leads to the truth, and realizing the truth leads to liberation. These teachings are found only in Buddhism. We follow them because they represent a unique philosophy that frees us from samsaric sufferings and dualistic delusions. These include the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, Prajnaparamita, the philosophy of emptiness and interdependent origination, bodhicitta, Buddha-nature, and so on. The Buddha also explained nirvana in terms of the three kayas. It is because of these unique teachings that we follow the Buddha.

However, if we think that some teachings are useful while others are not—for example, if we only follow the Four Noble Truths and ignore later teachings because someone said Buddha only taught the Four Noble Truths, then we are diminishing the Buddha. The whole purpose of following the Buddha is because of his unique teachings. If we say the most profound and important parts of the Buddha’s teachings are not the Buddha’s teachings, it makes people wonder: then why would I follow Buddha? Likewise, if we think that the Four Noble Truths and discipline are not important, that is also not valid, as these form the foundation of all later teachings.”

Lama Phurbu Tashi Rinpoche, July 27, 2025, Medan, Indonesia

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