This Wednesday’s usual meditation/prayer has been changed to a Medicine Buddha prayer. This practice is beneficial for healing physical, mental, and emotional ailments.

22 OCT, WED 6:30 – 8pm

Recordings

Oct 12 recording: https://youtube.com/live/JzTQ-s4dJ-M?feature=share

The first class on the Eight verses of mind training.

Geshe la emphasizes the importance of questioning and logical reasoning rather than blind faith. One should choose their spiritual path through deep study and understanding of benefits.

Proof of Enlightenment’s Possibility

Geshe la poses a question to students, whether they believe enlightenment is achievable for all sentient beings, if so, provide proof of why it is possible. After discussion, Geshe la explains how to reason about the proof.

True Compassion vs. Ordinary Compassion

Buddhist great compassion differs from ordinary compassion by being completely impartial – extending equally to friends, enemies, all humans, animals, and beings in all realms, without leaving anyone out.

Oct 19 recording: https://youtube.com/live/GgFfb73SF9Y?feature=share

Introduction to Eight Verses (0:04)

• Eight verses designed to transform the mind through constant contemplation
• All Buddhist teachings ultimately aim to transform the mind, like airplanes landing at an airport
• Goal: make the mind expansive, open, and inclusive, not narrow or rigid

Importance of Study (0:12)

• with effort you can learn anything; without effort you know nothing
• Learning is easy; applying teachings to transform yourself is difficult

Mind Training vs Body Training (0:24)

• Body training improves physical health but cannot transform the mind
• Mind training makes mind peaceful and expansive, which automatically benefits physical body as well

Types of Minds (0:28)

• Small-minded: easily affected, quick to anger, fear, depression
• Stubborn like rock in river: never changes mind, no improvement possible
• Negative/harmful: readily steals, kills, takes advantage without hesitation
• Complacent: “as long as I have food and shelter, everything is cool”—wastes life avoiding effort

Purpose of Practice (0:36)

First Verse (0:37)

Second Verse (0:42)

Practicing with Suffering People (0:49)

Story of Asanga and Maitreya Buddha and how the Buddhas are always with us (0:52)

Clarifying Second Verse (1:07)

• Not about becoming inferior or losing confidence

Third Verse (1:15)

Examples of Guarding Mind (1:21)

Why Stop Negative Emotions (1:28)

• Should desperately wish to escape bad habits like a prisoner wanting to escape prison

Three Things to Take Home (1:30)

1. Buddhas are always with you: Even if you can’t see them, they are 100% there. Remember Maitreya’s words to Asanga.
2. Stop harmful impulses immediately: When desire to harm arises, recognize and stop it. If you can’t help, at least refrain from harming.
3. Contemplate impermanence: Think on impermanence frequently so you’re not swayed by emotions—good things won’t last, bad things won’t last. This keeps you peaceful.