A PRACTITIONER’S REFLECTION #15 @BW MONASTERY ～ GOLDEN MRD OFFERING THROWBACK S20Z142E

It is a privilege to attend a Dharma Seeking Trip to Dharamshala, India from September 4 – 7, 2018. Amongst the group are our current Lamrim class care co-ordinator, Nina and our former care co-ordinator, Jasmine. Joyous to have virtuous friends from our Lamrim class seeking and relying on such a great and wise lineage master of our era. Mega Rejoice!

His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama gave four days of teachings and continue last year’s topic on Buddhapalita’s Commentary on the Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way (drel-pa Buddhapalita) in the mornings at the request of a group from Asia including Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam at the Main Tibetan Temple.

Grateful to His Holiness for passing on the wisdom of our Lord Buddha, planting virtuous seeds in the lives of all who attended the discourses. May these seeds of wisdom and compassion speedily grow under favourable conditions, nurturing the attainment of enlightenment so as to benefit all sentient beings!

Today, on the last day of the discourses, I received the beautiful Eight Verses of Training the Mind by Geshe Langri Thangpa. It called out to me and I feel that it should be shared with all.

Often in life, we face afflictions arising from envy, anger or unjust when interacting with family, friends, colleagues and passer-by. With each situation encountered, it is a chance to train our mind. Personally, I was taken aback by the first verse: “By thinking of all sentient beings as more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel. For accomplishing the highest aim, I will always hold them dear.”

I always thought that in order to benefit all sentient beings, we should aspire to become Buddhas (为利有情愿成佛). However, it didn’t cross my mind that every sentient being is precious too! Without them, there will be no reason to make aspirations for in achieving enlightenment!

Verses 3 to 6 are also common situations that most of us would face in our everyday life. The verses guide us to train our minds and use these situations as a form of cultivation. No situation is a bad situation if we can see it from the perspective of it being a moment of cultivation.

Do take a few moments to slowly read, reflect, analyze, meditate and appreciate the wisdom within.

Eight Verses of Training the Mind
by Geshe Langri Thangpa

By thinking of all sentient beings
As more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel
For accomplishing the highest aim,
I will always hold them dear.

Whenever I’m in the company of others,
I will regard myself as the lowest among all,
And from the depths of my heart
Cherish others as supreme.

In my every action, I will watch my mind,
And the moment destructive emotions arise,
I will confront them strongly and avert them,
Since they will hurt both me and others.

Whenever I see ill-natured beings,
Or those overwhelmed by heavy misdeeds or suffering,
I will cherish them as something rare,
As though I’d found a priceless treasure.

Whenever someone out of envy
Does me wrong by attacking or belittling me,
I will take defeat upon myself,
And give the victory to others.

Even when someone I have helped,
Or in whom I have placed great hopes
Mistreats me very unjustly,
I will view that person as a true spiritual teacher.

In brief, directly or indirectly,
I will offer help and happiness to all my mothers,
And secretly take upon myself
All their hurt and suffering.

I will learn to keep all these practices
Untainted by thoughts of the eight worldly concerns.
May I recognize all things as like illusions,
And, without attachment, gain freedom from bondage.

“Wisdom arises from listening, wisdom arises from reflection, and wisdom arises from meditation. “

Referencing Vol 2 of Master Jih-Chang’s Discourse P97
English Lamrim Vol 1 P60 – 【LISTENING】– Analyze with discerning wisdom

The reason that we are ordinary beings is due to ignorance and wrong views. The only remedy that we have to counter it, is wisdom – the wisdom arises from listening, wisdom arises from reflection, and wisdom arises from meditation. Listening begins with the excellent teacher. The accurate instructions are obtained from the excellent teacher – which is from an external source. Once you have listened with understanding, what would your first step be? It is reflection. This reflection is to continuously analyze the concepts understand it from hearing – well, is this right? Is this wrong? What is this about? What should be analyzed? Analyze [your] mental attitude. This task is extremely important – thus, it is known as “inner study” (内明), the so-called mind training.

Grateful to our excellent teachers of Dharma!

Penned by YAO HUA

* This is the 15th featured sharing in our launch of a new series: A Practitioner’s Reflection. Tiong Boon is the Monitor of our S15G027E class. He is joined by Sister Serena and Brother Samuel who are our Co-Monitors. The class also has two care co-ordinators who look into the welfare of the students and assist in administrative and logistic matters of the class.

From 2015-2017, we were well-taken care of by care co-ordinators： Jasmine and Angela. In 2018 we continue to have Angela who is joined by Nina as our care co-ordinator. Jasmine currently serves in another volunteer group of BW Monastery. Rejoice!

Starting from 4 June 2018, every Monday morning, we plan to publish a sharing by one of our S15G027E class member.

This series was inspired by our sharing done during our Lamrim Discussion Class when a new student came to join us on 21 May 2018. Often people wonder, what makes people put aside precious time once a week amidst all the busy schedule and commitments to attend the class. Where’s the “magic”, ‘why”, “benefit” or “output”? Let’s hear from the different individuals from all walks of life, sharing their take on this.

In conjunction with 2018 Master’s Remembrance Day, this is also our way to thank our lineage masters for their wisdom and compassion by reflecting on the merits of the teachings and turning the Dharma Wheel by sharing how Dharma has made us a better person.

We hope that more will be inspired to learn the way of the Buddha and practice it in their daily lives.

GRATITUDE TO THE TRIPLE GEMS AND OUR LINEAGE MASTERS!

MAY THE LIVES OF THE VENERABLE SPIRITUAL MASTERS BE STABLE,

AND THEIR WHITE DIVINE ACTIONS SPREAD IN THE TEN DIRECTIONS, MAY THE LIGHT OF LOBSANG’S TEACHINGS,

DISPELLING THE DARKNESS OF THE BEINGS IN THE HTREE WORLDS ALWAYS STAY!

MAY THESE PROFOUND MERITS AND VIRTUES BE DEDICATED TO OUR LINEAGE MASTERS AND TEACHERS TO HAVE GOOD HEALTH AND TURN THE DHARMA WHEEL INFINITELY!

May sentient beings all be well and happy!