Eight Verses of Training the Mind
Eight Verses of Training the Mind (Tib. བློ་སྦྱོང་ཚིགས་རྐང་བརྒྱད་མ་, Wyl. blo sbyong tshigs rkang brgyad ma) — a famous text on lojong by Geshe Langri Tangpa.
Translation
- 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 people,
- 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.
Commentaries
- Thu’u bkan Blo bzang chos kyi nyi ma, Blo sbyong tshigs brgyad ma’i khrid yig gces ‘dzin gdon ‘joms byangs sems chu rgyun
Translations
- Dragpa, Chökyi. Uniting Wisdom and Compassion. Translated by Heidi I. Köppl. Boston: Wisdom Publications. 2004
- Jinpa, Thupten. Mind Training: The Great Collection. Boston: Wisdom Publications. 2006
- Geshe Rabten, Gonsar Tenzin Khedup and Lobsang Kalden. In His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama, Four Essential Buddhist Commentaries. Dharamsala: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, 1982
- Sonam Rinchen, Geshe. Eight Verses for Training the Mind. Translated by Ruth Sonam. Ithaca: Snow Lion. 2001
- Thurman, Robert A. F. Essential Tibetan Buddhism. Harper Collins. 1995
Teachings on the Eight Verses of Training the Mind
- Ling Choktrul Rinpoche, Paris Rigpa centre, Levallois, 12th October 2005
- Kyabjé Trulshik Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 11th December 2005
