Gampopa Center

Here are some more excerpts from my notes from Lama’s Mind Training class. Lama explained that we can transform negative circumstances into the path to awakening. Tibetan medicine takes poisonous plants, but compounds them so they are medicinal. In a similar way, we can benefit from our problems. Lama told us that the saying “drive all blames into one” means that all our suffering is a result of our ego clinging. We normally blame our problems on others, this saying tells us to turn this attitude around. It doesn’t mean you should feel guilty and punish yourself. The problem is that our normal attitude increases our ego clinging. Ego never existed, it is a misunderstanding based on ignorance. Seeing this we should know it is the source of all our sufferings and look at our ego clinging when negative circumstances arise.

Lama explained that ego is merely ignorance, but it takes a long time to see this. What we can do is to pacify it. Negative emotions are not caused by others or circumstances, they come from our ego. Ego is never happy and is always ready to cause problems. It is like a demon. Dharma practice is not just sitting quietly, thinking nothing. It is working with our life. With some practice, situations that would have caused anger give rise to compassion instead. Compassion is the source of happiness and where it is absent, society is in turmoil and where it is present, society is peaceful.

He then gave this example: If I burn my hand on the teacup I can blame all the circumstances which caused it to happen, which includes everyone and everything in the world. Or I can turn away from that thinking and place the blame on my ego. All suffering arises from my ignorance. When you place the blame on ego, it is weakened. So that is why we should drive all blames into oneself. You still need to do your best to work out the situation, but it should be without strong negative emotion. So that is the point of this saying.

Some photos of Lama Phurbu Tashi teaching in Jakarta have been posted on the Internet. You can see copies of The Seven Point Mind Training Book on the table in front of him.

There will be no practice in Epping Forest tomorrow, Tuesday December 22nd. The road to Epping Forest still has not been plowed.

Here are a few more remarks that Lama made during his class on Lojong.

First, he explained that although people think that seeing the natural state of mind comes from some sharp understanding, it really arises from the accumulation of merit, compassion, and devotion. Appreciating the kindness of the teacher brings us devotion. Appreciating the kindness of others brings us compassion.

Then he explained how you can generate merit by transforming your defilements. When attachment arises, first you must recognize it and see that it is the cause of suffering for oneself and others. You reflect on all other beings experiencing attachment and how they will suffer as a result. You accept everyone else’s attachment as part of yours. In this way attachment is transformed into wisdom and compassion. The same can be done with other negative emotions and sickness and any obstacles you encounter.

Lama explained that you need to have the same love and compassion as a mother has for her child, so you feel happy when taking on the problems of others. This practice can purify the karma of many lifetimes and accumulate much merit. Lama has found that this is the most profound way to make yourself happy.

I’ve added a new link to the Resources sidebar, Lama Kathy’s Downloads. It’s a collection of short teachings that I think most people will find helpful, especially if they are fairly new to Buddhism. All are in pdf format and are nicely laid out for printing.