In accord with the saying “You accomplished half of the Buddhist teachings when you left your native land,” you turned your back on your homeland to wander in unfamiliar lands.

Now that you have parted company from your friends and relatives in a positive way, do not listen to those who try to discourage you from pursuing your spiritual practice. Now that you’ve given away your possessions, rely upon whatever meritorious donations come your way. Once you’ve recognised all your pleasures as obstacles created by bad habits, cultivate an attitude without desires.

If you are not contented with few possessions, as long as one “need” after another arises, the deceptive demon of your pleasures will enter without much trouble. Do not take as true anything others say, good or bad: Do not regard it with hope or fear; do not affirm or deny it. Allow others to say whatever they like, as if they are talking about a corpse. Except for a qualified Lama, no one can give correct advice, not even your father or mother. Be the judge of your actions and do not let others lead you around by the nose.

-- His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche