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, offered 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.
Resources
- Geshe Langri Thangpa – Eight Verses for Training the Mind
- Geshe Langri Thangpa Series – Lotsawa House