Bodhicitta Sangha | Heart of Enlightenment Institute is a non-profit organization offering Tibetan Buddhist meditation classes and retreats taught by Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, a professor of Tibetan Buddhism in the Nyingma lineage.
Teachings by Khenpo Sherab Sangpo are open to all who wish to awaken bodhicitta via teachings and meditation practices that generate compassion and loving-kindness for all living beings.
To practice the good heart of love and compassion, there is no need to become a Buddhist. Whoever we are, we need a sincere, non-deceitful, kind heart. If we have it, we will definitely have a happy life and we can powerfully benefit others. The focus of my teachings is to guide my students in developing their bodhicitta, a kind heart filled with love and compassion for all living beings.
Khenpo Sherab Sangpo37 Stages of Instructions
Beginning Meditation
PRACTICE RESOURCES for students beginning to learn about meditation and cultivating love and compassion.
Entering the Path
PRACTICE RESOURCES for students who are preparing to enter the Buddhist path by taking refuge vows.
Preliminary Practices
PRACTICE RESOURCES for students who are completing the preliminary practices (ngöndro).
Vajrayana Teachings
PRACTICE RESOURCES for students who are on the path of the Vajrayana and Great Perfection (Dzogchen).
How to Benefit Beings by Patrul Rinpoche
Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, a professor of Tibetan Buddhism in the Nyingma Lineage (bodhicittasangha.org), offers essential teachings on Patrül Rinpoché’s criteria for benefitting beings in this series of four retreat videos.
Eight Verses for Training the Mind by Geshe Langri Thangpa
Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, a professor of Tibetan Buddhism in the Nyingma Lineage, offers teachings on mind training (lojong) from the Kadampa master, Geshe Langri Thangpa (1054-1123), via the profound text, Eight Verses for Training the Mind.
![How to Relax the Mind [6]](https://www.bodhicittasangha.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/How-to-Relax-the-Mind-6-400x250.png)
How to Relax the Mind [6]
Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, a professor of Tibetan Buddhism in the Nyingma Lineage (bodhicittasangha.org), offers teachings on how to relax our mind and to recognize its innermost nature through teachings on three types of meditation: 1) renunciation mind to lessen our clinging to permanence (permanent self or phenomena); 2) bodhicitta mind to lessen our selfishness and to increase our great love for all beings; and 3) dzogchen mind to recognize the true nature of mind by cutting the root of our ignorance.
Meditation with Khenpo Sherab Sangpo
Our meditation retreats and classes are open to students regardless of whether you are a Buddhist or not. We welcome you to join us if you would like to learn how to meditate or if you are curious about Buddhist philosophy.
How to Relax the Mind Class Series
An ongoing meditation class series open to all levels of meditators taught by Khenpo Sherab Sangpo. Please join us Saturdays from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, to listen, study, and contemplate the Buddhadharma together.
Please arrive by 1:45 PM and take your seat by 2:00 PM in the shrine room.
Class Schedule:
- March 23, 2019
- April 6, 2019
- May 18, 2019
Topic: Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, a professor of Tibetan Buddhism in the Nyingma Lineage, offers teachings on how to relax and rest in the nature of mind. This ultimate wisdom, our buddha nature, is innate and natural to everyone, but temporarily covered by delusion and confusion. If we break through confusion, we can relax our mind, and with wisdom, we can solve all of our problems. To do this, we need discipline (the method), meditation (the path), and wisdom (the goal).
Location:
Clouds in Water Zen Center
445 North Farrington Street
Saint Paul, MN 55103
Parking: Free parking in Clouds in Water’s parking lot or on-street parking on North Farrington Street or Aurora Street.
Public Transportation: Clouds in Water Zen Center is located three blocks from the Green Line: Western Station.
Suggested Donation: $15, payable via cash or check at the door; or online via PayPal.
Video Teachings with Khenpo Sherab Sangpo
Eight Verses to Train the Mind by Geshe Langri Thangpa
First, examine the mind constantly;
Second, tame the mind with mindfulness and alertness;
Third, by constantly doing so, generate bodhicitta in the mindstream.
-Atiśa Dīpaṃkara Śrījñāna’s three pith instructions on training the mind
Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, a professor of Tibetan Buddhism in the Nyingma Lineage, offers teachings on mind training (lojong) from the Kadampa master, Geshe Langri Thangpa (1054-1123), via the profound text, Eight Verses for Training the Mind. Geshe Langri Thangpa was a disciple of Potowa Rinchen Sal (1027-1105), one of the three main students of Dromtönpa. Potowa’s two main students were Geshe Sharawa Yönten Drak, who possessed the vast vision of the Dharma, and Geshe Langri Thangpa, who had mastery over bodhicitta; these two were known as the sun and moon of Ü in Tibet. Khenpo Sherab Sangpo received the reading transmission and teachings on this lojong text from his root teacher, Khenchen Jigmé Phuntsok (1933-2004) at Larung Gar Monastery. Verses one through seven of the text point out seven skillful methods for developing bodhicitta mind (relative bodhicitta); verse eight points out the wisdom of recognizing the illusionary nature of reality (ultimate bodhicitta). Teachings on the eight verses by Khenpo Sherab Sangpo alternate with sessions of guided meditation on 1) meditation on equanimity, 2) meditation on mindfulness and awareness, 3) meditation on letting go of self-grasping and appreciating the kindness of others, and 4) meditation on tonglen (taking and giving) by sending the kind mind of bodhicitta via the breath to suffering beings.
Click the link for the PDF of the complete text of Geshe Langri Thangpa’s Eight Verses for Training the Mind.
Eight Verses for Training the Mind
Verse 1: Always Hold Others as Dear and Precious
By thinking of all sentient beings
As more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel,
For accomplishing the highest aim,
I will always hold them supremely dear.
Verse 2: Consider Myself as the Lowest among All
Whenever I am in the company of others,
May I regard myself as the lowest of all,
And from the depths of my heart,
Cherish others as supreme.
Verse 3: Avert Afflictions as Soon as They Arise
In my every action, I will watch my mind,
And the moment destructive emotions arise,
I will confront and avert them strongly,
As they will destroy both myself and others.
Verse 4: May I Cherish This Precious Treasure
Whenever I see beings who are wicked in nature,
Or those overwhelmed by negativities and suffering,
I will cherish them as something rare,
As though I had found a priceless treasure.
Verse 5: Accept the Loss on Oneself and Give the Victory to Others
Whenever someone out of envy,
Treats me unfairly with scolding, insults, and more,
May I accept the loss upon myself
And offer the victory to others.
Verse 6: View Those Who Harm us as Spiritual Teachers
Even when someone whom I have helped,
Or in whom I have placed great hopes,
Harms me very unfairly,
May I view that person as a true spiritual teacher.
Verse 7: Taking and Giving
In short, both directly or indirectly,
May I offer every happiness and benefit to all my mothers,
And secretly take upon myself,
All the harm and suffering of my mothers.
Verse 8: All Things Are Like Illusions
I will learn to keep all these practices,
Untainted by thoughts of the eight worldly concerns.
May I recognize all phenomena are like illusions,
And, without any clinging, gain freedom from bondage.
Support Us
If you enjoy learning about meditation and Tibetan Buddhism via Khenpo Sherab Sangpo’s online teachings, please make a donation to support us. We are a 100% volunteer-staffed, non-profit organization that relies on our donors to make Khenpo’s teachings possible. Thank you for your generosity and kindness!
Meditation Teachings & Retreat Schedule