27 RULES TO REAL HAPPINESS!!!
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
Twenty-Seven Verses On Mind Training
Je Tsongkapa (1357-1419)
1 ) With body, speech, and mind fully aligned, I prostrate fervently before those rare beings, who are victorious over all notions of limitation, and before their spiritual daughters and sons. May a cosmic celebration of pure poetry, perfectly expressing the most subtle teaching of these victorious sages and the inheritors of their wisdom, now burst forth like an infinite garden in perpetual spring.
2 ) Gaze calmly with the clear eye of Prajnaparamita (Perfect Wisdom) upon universal manifestation, this beginningless tapestry woven from vibrant karmic threads of conscious beings, and listen to the harmonious symphony of interdependence. Purify entirely from the slightest shadow of negativity this boundless expanse of apparent struggle and conflict. With diamond-clear intention, instill faith everywhere. With mirrorlike wisdom, stabilize all chaotic minds.
3 ) If shadows of negativity are not dispelled immediately, these strange insubstantial absences of light gain immense potency with every new action, until even those who understand the dangers of negation will not have enough power to choose the way of Clear Light. Even those who study philosophy and speak eloquently are unable to release themselves from illusory darkness.
4 ) The full spectrum of struggling and aspiring humanity, from immature persons to advanced contemplatives, suffers the painful delusion of clinging to these empty shadows as they become filled with affective power by self-centered action and intention.
5 ) This apparent bondage, this clinging to shadows, is constituted by reactions of pleasure and pain, obviously or subtly rooted in self-serving motivation. By those rare beings who have gone beyond, who throughout all time abide in bliss as Buddhas, the true nature of reactions and their results is clearly known to be insubstantial. But the boundless expanse of self-oriented beings, who bind themselves inexorably to selfish motivation, therefore cannot liberate or even distance themselves slightly from egocentricity.
6 ) We should meditate carefully and thoroughly upon the inevitably binding nature of negativity, learning to discriminate sensitively and unerringly between the actions which negate the preciousness of others and actions which affirm and judiciously care for others. From this clear viewpoint, renounce all negation and strive with the total commitment of your being to become entirely affirmative of all life everywhere.
7 ) The seeds of action are positive and negative intentions. Any intention consciously rooted in selfless motivation, desiring only sheer goodness for all conscious life, will establish the stable ground of goodness and will universally generate rich results of goodness. Any intention even slightly weakened by selfish motivation undermines both the ground of our life and its fruits. Intention is the sole creative force of existence.
8 ) To cling to the intention of triumphing over another, the desire to prosper at the expense of any being or to indulge in the slightest bias against any being because of personal feelings of attraction or repulsion, these alone are the causes for whatever suffering exists in personal lives and in the universe as a whole. We should meditate ceaselessly on this revolutionary truth, remaining conscious of it during every moment of existence.
9 ) Those who attempt to deceive with words of advice that in any way exalt selfishness and depreciate selflessness become hopelessly lost in narrow-mindedness, obsessed with their own selfish interests. Such persons create the only error in the universe: diverting our precious care and concern for others to ourselves. This deception not only expresses hatred for Buddha’s wisdom but is the absurd attempt to destroy universal Buddha nature.
10 ) To avoid decisively this disastrous way of hatred, bring to birth within your stream of awareness the maternal mind of totally positive intentions toward all beings as toward cherished children. This mind of kindness, supremely skillful in loving care, unveils the infinite value of every single life, demonstrating compassion as the meaning of existence. But the clumsy negative mind, operating blindly without concern for the preciousness of others, drains the nectar of meaning from human life. Cultivate diligently the selfless love that transforms every thought and action into tangible help for conscious beings.
11 ) The method taught by awakened sages to develop this skillful mind of kindness is to cut the root of all selfish projections by repeatedly and intensively studying Perfect Wisdom, meditating single pointedly on its essence in a state of contemplative stillness and stability. With the clarity and honesty of such concentration, projected worlds of self-serving desire will melt in the sunlight of meditation, like structures of ice, revealing the magnificent secret of our existence, its total significance and absolute justification, which is active compassion for all conscious life.
12 ) Such meditative practice brings to light the mind which envisions only the well-being of others, which is constantly grateful to all beloved beings for the immeasurable kindness they have poured forth through beginningless time as mothers, fathers, children, friends, benefactors, and teachers. This mind of goodness knows only the ceaseless longing to benefit all these blessed beings without exception in whatever manner and on whatever level imaginable.
13 ) To remember vividly during every moment the kindness that has been expressed by all beings, and to cultivate an intense and constant longing to return even a small portion of this kindness, unveils the true significance of life in all worlds. The person who fails to respond wholeheartedly to this call for universal kindness and concern is on a lower plane of development than animals, who are capable of experiencing immense gratitude.
14 ) Those who unhesitatingly embrace and tenderly serve all suffering creatures during this degenerate age, just as a loving mother painstakingly cares for even the most wayward of her children, they alone are the teachers of the holy life who authentically walk the Buddha Way.
15 ) The mind that faithfully and tirelessly serves and elevates conscious beings is sheer goodness, constantly giving the gift of itself, its faith in ever-expanding goodness, to all other minds thereby benefiting them in the most direct way. Of all possible forms of benefit on any level, the highest is to teach this practice of love, this indomitable faith in universal goodness, by the direct transmission of selfless awareness flowing transparently from mind to mind in accordance with the need and capacity of each mind. This is true teaching, tangibly transmitting the living energy of universal goodness, which becomes perpetually active in the recipient, even during the most pressing times of crisis, never evaporating into mere words or concepts.
16 ) During this blissful practice, continually cultivating the wonderful, ever-expanding mind of goodness, even the slightest lack of sympathetic joy disappears and awareness becomes more concentrated and selfless, while the selfish emotions and conceptual projections which compose this narrow conventional world are gradually effaced, and we are completely liberated. The brilliant sun of Great Compassion shines unobstructed. The spirit of wholehearted love in every thought and action constitutes the spontaneously radiating sunlight, effortlessly melting the mist of self-centeredness, vastly strengthening our constant efforts for all beings.
17 ) Beings benefit each other, consciously or unconsciously. Even enemies become profound benefactors in subtle ways. Those who clearly perceive this radical principle find no isolated object for hostile thought. They can discover and encounter only friends, benefactors, and inseparably related beings. This insight avoids aggressive thinking and allows the mind to expand endlessly into wholesomeness, generosity, and sympathy.
18 ) Never offering the slightest encouragement to hostility, never hesitating to embrace the concerns of others, pay complete attention to every altruistic impulse that arises in the stream of pure awareness. Contemplate the teaching of selfless compassion, calming and clarifying the turbulent flood of egocentric mind with the sweetest meditation. Renounce the meaninglessness of selfish life. Become devoted to the true meaning of existence: the spontaneous, active compassion for all living beings. If one does not refute self-centered motivation, the subtle tendencies of the mind can never be free from the gross or subtle disposition to negation.
19 ) Transform the intense activity of daily life into the harmonious expression and teaching of truth by affectionately reminding and being reminded that the bitter dark fruits of negating others are poisonous, to be most carefully avoided, while the sweet bright fruits of affirming others are life-giving, to be thoroughly enjoyed. Authentic delight exists only in serving others, and suffering springs only from harming others or insensitively ignoring the needs of living beings, all of whom are as intimately related to us as our own precious mother and father.
20 ) So sensitive an ecology is the interdependence of all, that the slightest attention and assistance to others creates moral elevation for ourselves and humanity, while the slightest indifference or neglect toward others creates moral harm for ourselves and our civilization. The faintest spark of ill will toward other beings can burst forth into a terrible forest fire, consuming vast expanses of sympathetic joy. Even the faintest negative reaction or malicious wish opens wide channels throughout our entire being for life-destroying poisons of negation and life-obscuring shadows of self-cherishing.
21 ) Cast far away from all precious humanity these lethal doses, these ominous shadows, by cultivating instinctive admiration and love for those who practice the way of selflessness. Adore such bodhisattvas for their irreversible vow to remain intimate with the struggle of living beings as beacons of love and as the light of panoramic vision.
22 ) Once identified with this luminous way of life, you will experience every moment as soaked in bliss, tasting the delight of compassionate responses to even the most negative actions of other beings. I have composed this poem of rapturous affection further to strengthen the diamond-sharp conviction of those already faithful to the path of wisdom.
23 ) Gazing back over these exuberant verses, I perceive an abundant banquet of poetry, easy to assimilate and to understand clearly. Entirely in accord with the teaching of the sutras and with the deep realization of awakened sages, these words are full of subtle nourishment. To contemplate their various levels of meaning is not only to taste the nectar of wisdom but is to walk the sublime path of compassion.
24 ) This surprising poem condenses into a few verses the profound and extensive teachings of my lineage. I have composed these melodic lines, like heavenly wish-fulfilling gems, to benefit the minds of all beloved beings. Those with strong capacity for meditation in action will deepen their insight into the nature of Reality by following these words into the heart of Buddha.
25 ) Some authors tie complex knots of philosophical terms, while others rave incoherently like mad persons. In the most beautiful hermitage, the snow mountains of Tibet, this poet, known as Ever-Expanding Mind of Goodness, has attempted to write with richness and lucidity.
26 ) May the bliss of the mystical fusion of transcendent wisdom with tender compassion fall like sweet summer rain from dark blue clouds, the motivation of goodness, skillfully and gracefully opened by lightening flashes of selfless awareness. May conscious beings in every realm and condition enjoy their glorious existence as the dynamic play of Lord Buddha’s four modes of manifestation: transparent, universal, heavenly, and earthly.
27 ) Having become, through the medium of this poem, the powerful and eloquent speech of Divine Manjushri, speaking directly with the harmonious and melodious voice of the transcendent Wisdom Deity, may I and all my relations and companions, from small insects to tenth-level bodhisattvas, attain the blessings of primordial Buddha nature: infinite bliss, infinite fulfillment, infinite perfection, and universal conscious enlightenment.
These 27 verses are perfect for guideline of everyday living. Perfect for harmony in families. Perfect for harmony between partners. Perfect for gaining peace and inner calm. Supreme for beginning, middle and end in one’s spiritual journey. This is something we should memorize, practice, take refuge in and use as a guideline for our dharma practice.
If you have a guru, you should practice this very much so you can advance in whatever sadhanas you are being guided in. If you don’t have a guru, it is the perfect outline to live our lives, to endeavour in our spiritual practice, to strive to become in lieu of a guru, until you find your teacher… it is all the more important to follow if you don’t have a teacher and feel lost or don’t know where to start. Print this out. Frame it. Keep it in your PC, pass it to friends, make posters, put it on your altar, it should be in your sadhana book. No serious practitioner should be without it.
It is not hard… because it is really a guideline to finding who we are deep inside that has been temporarily lost with all the round of rebirths, pain, insecurities,ego, fear, loss, and living in illusory states of mind. You should strive to learn, and put into practice what these 27 verses contain. They contain the complete Lam Rim in short form. If you are serious about Lam Rim or your spiritual practice, then master and live these 27 verses daily and now. It might be hard in the beginning, but what isn’t and it is worth it.. These verses will literally change your life!!
For those who wish to gain attainments, transform, change and become happy…recite the above 27 mindblowing sacred lines by our Lord and Sage Tsongkapa the Incomparable DAILY AS A SADHANA. THEN CONTEMPLATE THE MEANING WHILE RECITING OM AH RA BA ZA NA DHI..
If you are my student or say I have benefited you, then do this daily as a special request from me. If even you have not met me, but you wish to or have an affinity with me, then ‘prove’ it by reciting this daily and practicing these precious life changing verses. The secret to happiness is in these verses. The ultimate cure to depression and feeling bitter are within these verses if you practice…try it..what do you have to lose..
IF YOU ARE A SOCIAL WORKER, A SINCERE PRACTITIONER, A POLITICIAN, DOCTOR OR ANY PUBLIC SERVANT OR WORK FOR A CHARITY, THESE VERSES ARE VERY NECESSARY FOR YOU TO PRACTICE AND REMEMBER IN ORDER TO NOT LOSE HOPE, BECAUSE YOUR JOB COULD BE QUITE TOUGH….
A BIG REASON FOR YOU TO RECITE AND PRACTICE THESE DAILY IS-YOU DESERVE TO BE HAPPY..
Tsem Rinpoche
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A very powerful teaching to seek real happiness which motivate oneself and to contemplate on. Practising the 27 verses brings enormous benefit to ourselves and others. Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for giving this wonderful teaching on 27 rules to real happiness. 🙏😘😍👍💖
Dear Rinpoche,
This month onwards, I have included this as monthly commitment. I aspire to recite this daily in the near future.
Thank you for Your teaching Rinpoche. Please return swiftly and remain with us for very long.
A very powerful teaching to seek real happiness which motivate oneself and to contemplate on. These timeless teachings will help us to live a happy life. Practising the 27 verses brings enormous benefit to ourselves and others. Research has shown us own happiness is increase by practising love and compassion. It seem that love and compassion are not just good for happiness, they also have a positive impact on health. Let these teachings lift our spirits and fill our hearts guide us towards a better life and relationship. These verses will literally change our life.
Be happy with what you have. Be excited about what you want…..there is a saying.
Thank you Rinpoche for these powerful teaching which I will think deeply and at length. Have bookmarked to read from time to time.
Thank you, Rinpoche, for sharing this powerful teaching on the 27 rules to real happiness. This teaching rightly points out the flaws of our minds, guiding us to drop our ego, to stop being bias / selective and quit being hostile. We must be watchful of our thougths and intentions to guard against negativity and selfishness. If we practice these 27 rules, we will be able to see transformation in our mind that gives rise to lasting happiness.
Dun worry be happy!
I have to say I have mixed feelings about this article. On the one hand, I saw that it meant I have probably never experienced real happiness in my life and it’s a long, long way to real happiness. On the other hand, there are clear and definitive rules already given that can be followed to achieve real happiness.
Those are 27 very long and daunting rules to real happiness. Can we truly want to seek something that we have never experienced before? Then again in the worldly sense everyone seek to fall in love and live happily ever after but until one fell in love one wouldn’t know what falling in love is like. So why is it that one seek it? What drives us to seek something that we don’t know about?
If we do not know what real happiness is, why are we seeking it or work towards achieving it? Is it simply due to “the grass is greener on the other side” syndrome? Maybe it’s just the perspective of approach is wrong. If we do not so much want to escape the situation or suffering we are in instead of accepting external situations as being irrelevant to our state of happiness, then the state of happiness is pervasive and we still remain on the same side of the grass lawn.
Everytime I read such verses, it has not failed to inspire me once more over. It does point to the fact that our motivations can change the results of all that we do. If it is concern for oneself then the result is likely to be negative, if it is a positive motivation then the following results brings us to the next level of our development.
Dear Rinpoche,
These are indeed very though provoking and we will need to recite it in our daily sadhana. I find verse 8 is extremely useful to rid ourselves of our egos and personally, I will need to work on this.
Thank you again Rinpoche for sharing.
Humbly yours,
_/\_
Lum Kok Luen
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing such a beautiful poem written with pure love and compassion!
May the teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa spread throughout the ten direction until samsara’s end. _/\_
Thank you. I printed out a copy.
the only way out is through!
Many of us constantly search happiness, thinking that we will find it through samsara activities. We do not know that we may be happy for that moment, but after that, we will once again feel empty.
But when we find happiness from our religion and practices, we will feel much happier no matter what the situation is or when it is going on. This is because we have learnt, and grown to see the things being depicted to us in a different way that would bring us happiness.
True happiness is suppose to come to us naturally but because of all the distractions we face every day, it is no longer the case. But it does not mean that we can no longer have happiness..I guess now we just have to put in a little more effort.
The happiness I am writing about here isn’t the day to day ‘happiness’ we experience due to our attachments, desires, etc but the happiness of finding the truth in our lives. The truth of us being able to let go of our false happiness to attain eternal happiness. Knowing that we do not live our lives for ourselves but for a greater cause to put it simply.
Take for example, every day we chase our attachments for ‘happiness’ yet more often than not we are not happy. Why is this so? But when we help others or do work that brings benefit to others, don’t we always feel happy? So it this not the right way to go?
These are questions I ask myself very often too!
We are very fortunate to have guidance from greater beings like Rinpoche who so kindly provide us with methods to attain happiness. This is something we must appreciate very much and share with others as a start for us to gain happiness =).
Thank you so much Rinpoche for this precious blog. Beginning nov 3. 2010 I will daily recitate those 27 verses as you recommended. Thank you again!
The more I read it the more joyful the heart feels, like a song from the heart reverberating with the truth of the universe 🙂
If you have the 3 perfect qualities of Body, Speech and mind with no flaws then definately you can be a Buddha. Its hard to become a Buddha if you are in the Samsaric world. All Buddhas suffer alot before they become a Buddha. Through your sufferings you begin to meditate and contemplate why you are suffering. When you can find the answer to your problem situation you will feel gratitude and will to return the kindness that has been bestowed upon you. The next step is you show compassion and kindness to those who are still sufferings that you had undergone before and you will find it easier to help others. Overall Compassion and Kindness if applied with Wisdom can bring a lot of happiness to one’s mind.
im going to save it. i am so sad today.
Can u give like a lecture on that? plz
[…] 当然，仁波切也有一些比较“严肃”的贴文，包括了佛法开示及传承法脉的高僧大德。林汉妮推荐大家阅读由帕绷喀仁波切撰写的祈愿本《Heartspoon》，仁波切曾贴文分享此议题。我们也分享了漫画版的找到真正快乐的27个守则、漂亮心识转化祈愿文。大家都很愉快地讨论无我的概念及如何从自私转向无我。 […]
For purposes of daily recitation, it may be helpful to divide the text into nine sections of three verses each. Then pause (for example) three times during the morning, three times in the afternoon, and three times in the evening to recite a section.
I have found that this avoids the fatigue / “spaced” or “buzzed feeling that comes from reciting extemely long texts. (The method bears some resemblance to the Christian practice of psalmody.)
Dearest Rinpoche,
An on-going battle that goes on every morning – is the battle within ourselves – in our brain, our mind between good and evil – being good versus being bad. This range from having good thoughts as opposed to having bad or evil thoughts, be it about people, situation, etc.
These 27 Verses are in my mind and my thoughts this time – contemplating on how to explain the verses, convey and teach their benefits to children? Start them young!
I mean to simplify it in a context that we can start the cultivation of altruistic intention and developing compassion (Bodhicitta) with our young, instill and motivate them the practice of giving, being considerate, to think of others, to help look after each other, to be less self cherishing?
Good Actions > Give Goodness, Doing Good Deeds = Produce Good Results, When We See Others Happy > We Become Happy > Happiness All Around
How can we get them to think and go about doing little acts of kindness, generosity?
Being a visual person, I thought of doing “Visual Exercises” like role playing with the children, applicable to adults as well, to help us get into the habit of having good positive thoughts as much as possible.
The simplest easiest way I can think of is the example of us putting on hats.
In our daily lives, we wear different hats – or are asked to put on different hats – something we are quite used to. And we take on many roles in the course of one day! (And quite clever about it too!)
Eg, In school we are asked to put on thinking hats to think, explore, solve problems or do a project. The same is for adults – the way we are asked to don these hats for brainstorming sessions, solve work-related issues, make money for businesses, etc.
Shouldn’t we put on a different type of hat this time? A GOOD HAT to kick start the day, with good thoughts – with positive intention to make a difference, for the people around us.
Make full use of our mental facilities and think creatively of how we can make or improve things better for others, be it a situation, to benefit others.
In time, with the utmost optimism, the GOOD HAT will be more than a switch, a mechanism to help us tune into the GOOD FREQUENCY – and evolve seamlessly, effortlessly, automatically to the GOOD MODE. With good practicing habit, it will then become a part of our daily lives, naturally.
Well those are the thoughts I have for this morning. I still have a long way to learn, grow, and to figure and practice “tong-len” – the art of giving and taking.
Thank you for your teachings, guidance and blessings! I walk with warmth and sunshine plus a big smile!
With Folded Hands
Ling
As with many above, it took a few read throughs to get the meaning of the verses and will need further study to really appreciate it’s true meaning and then application to our daily lives. However, this is a beautiful summary of the Lamrin teachings and echo the recent teachings that Rinpoche gave on imprints. The verses are so comprehensive and there is so much in them that I’m sure that if we practiced each and every verse to perfection, we could reach enlightenment! I will definitely comtemplate more on this daily so that it becomes part of my mindstream.
when I first met Rinpoche, Rinpoche’s first advise to me was to memorize the eight verses of though transformation and to use it as a guide to my life. I found it hard to memorize just eight verses which pretty much sums up Buddha’s teachings but in actual fact a gem very hard to find to help us overcome ourselves in many ways.
It is very interesting to find that the mind teachings of the Buddha was crafted many generations ago for the people of today and weren’t taught in public until recent generations. These teachings which mostly are culminated from verses are what we called the Lojong teachings or that of the mind transformation.
when the 8 verses are expanded, they are the same with the 27 verses of mind training written by Lama Je Tsongkhapa. Though it may sound a bit poetic and also devotional in nature, it helps us focus on the result of such practices which will definitely steer us towards the shore of enlightenment!
Not a single moment in our life that we are not dependent others. Whether we are in a state of happiness, sadness or equanimity, we are constantly benefitting from the efforts of others such as food, water, shelter, utilities, etc. As Je Tsongkhapa so accurately pointed out, the humanity is so interdependent, we must remember and repay the kindness of others.
Samsara is not practising the 27 Verses of Mind Training. If we are serious about getting out of Samsara, we must embrace and put teaching from these 27 verses into action. When we give to others, we see the happy faces of the recipients and the images would remind in our memory for a long time. Trust the 3 Jewels and start putting others before self…and watch samsara slowly disappearing.
May the glorious teachings of Je Tsongkhapa blaze forever.
Dear Rinpoche, verse 2 and 3 is so true. Just last week, in Singapore, a lady decided to end her life as she was not able to get out of the despair and depression of losing her husband on their wedding night dinner. The shadows of negativity, her chaotic mind, and because it was not dispelled (her family members stayed close to her on her first suicide attempt), those shadows gained so much potency that she couldn’t release her mind from the illusionary darkness and choose to see the Clear Light. I remember Rinpoche saying in one of your teachings that reciting Migtzema is very effective for people who are depressed or unhappy. Precious wisdom from Lama Tsongkhapa
Two words in the title of the posting caught my attention and stop me from scrolling further – REAL HAPPINESS. People tend to seek different things at different period of times in their lives and, I am no different. Up until about a decade ago, I realized that most of the activities and work almost everyone does circled around monetary and material concerns. Is that REAL HAPPINESS? I wasn’t sure, so I decided to take a different path… With the support and blessing of my family, I cooked up the courage to quit a full time job in advertising to pursue my dream; it was a dream fueled by passion and whatever talent I was told I had. During the last 12 years or so, I had gotten myself involved in the arts – mostly theatre performances and singing. It was quite a tough period when I literally went from a having a comfortable stable income to fighting for any roles to play and gigs to do, just so I can first, convince my mother not to worry too much about me and second… that the choice I made was all worth it. Looking back today, I can happily say that I have no regrets doing what I did. A little more than a decade later, I find myself standing at the crossroad again, psyching myself to face a brand new decade… You know what? Looking around, I would not have even imagined I would be working where I am right now. Deep down, I know I am at a good place… Real Happiness? Perhaps it is in the form of spirituality which I have yet had the opportunity to learn more of. The 27 Verses on Mind Transformation by Lama Tsongkhapa could not have ‘appeared’ to me at a better time. At the first read, I was overwhelmed by its poetic and very descriptive nature. The mind immediately went into the ‘too much, too soon’ mode. It wasn’t until David, Jamie, Susan and Sharon’s contribution during a discussion on the 27 verses at KMP that I realized… it is really not that hard to grasp. Admittedly, I still have very far to go in the studies and understanding of the Dharma. But curiousity is in my nature and with wonderful friends in Kechara, the mind will persist. I do like the verses very much and I hope to have a deeper understanding of each verse through more discussions and contemplations.
Dearest Rinpoche,
Flashback – 1st read, encounter with the 27 verses was last week and the reaction and aspiration:
These invaluable, profound, beautiful verses are more than poetic radiance, wisdom and inspiration. I will read again and again with enthusiastic effort and reverence.
Since then, I have been doing that in-between meetings, at sought out intervals, as these verses keep popping up in my brain not just in words but with visuals as well…
I read the 27 Verses again last night before I slept and the beautiful verses sing to me like a lullaby…it was a restful, peaceful slumber filled with imagery and feelings of peace, happiness.
And how do I walk out of the door? With a smile on my face, and a different kind of spring… with more awareness, more sincerity, and with my antennas more tuned towards altruistic intention… and with right motivation…( I make conscious effort to step out with my right foot as my 1st affirmation of the day – it makes things easier! )
With a better understanding that the unique Lojong Practice or Mind Training Tradition dates back all the way to the Great Sages with the most influential from Lord Atisha and from then preserved in our Gelugpa tradition …a revered practice, legacy that is being passed to us through our Lineage Masters.
We are most fortunate that we have the blessings, the auspicious opportunity to come across and be in contact through our family tree, Guru Tree, Lineage Masters.
Having a family we can belong to, we can take abode in, is something not to be taken for granted but to embrace with homage and due respect, and what better way to repay all their kindness than to put them into practice.
Starting with the Mind Training in Eight Verses and moving onto the 27 Verses we have been so blessed to be equipped with seeds of altruistic intention so that we may from there develop real Bodhicitta.
I am still learning and growing, Each day I will try harder to be good and a better person than yesterday, by first learn how to tame my mind, learn to be kinder, be more sensitive, be more mindful and aware of people and surroundings, and apply by checking myself and practice.
Thank you very much Rinpoche for preparing the bed, like a constant gardener, mother, life coach and more! Nurturing us with constant care and love so that the Dharma seeds so lovingly cast will take root and grow.
Bedding and re-bedding the round beneath, never giving up on us, always ensuring in the most creativity and innovative ways that we have the soil ( spiritual home), nutrients ( the various department), the rays of sunshine ( activities) – the foundation platform to bloom and grow.
Most of all to ground us with understanding, love, altruistic intention, setting the right motivation so that they qualify us to listen to Dharma teachings and instructions.
I pray that we all have to good fortune to always sit at the Lotus Feet of Buddhas and hear the sound of Dharma! And May the Lotuses Bloom in Everyone’s Heart!
To you we are not “good seeds or bad seed” but seeds with the fullest potential.
With Lots of Love and Gratitude
With Folded Hands
Ling
Thank you Ling! Beautifully said!
“20) So sensitive an ecology is the interdependence of all, that the slightest attention and assistance to others creates moral elevation for ourselves and humanity, while the slightest indifference or neglect toward others creates moral harm for ourselves and our civilization. The faintest spark of ill will toward other beings can burst forth into a terrible forest fire, consuming vast expanses of sympathetic joy. Even the faintest negative reaction or malicious wish opens wide channels throughout our entire being for life-destroying poisons of negation and life-obscuring shadows of self-cherishing.”
These verses are awe-inspiring, and Verse 20 is something I will try to learn by heart. Rememberance of and recitation of this awesome verse as often as possible, I feel, will help me clear negativity within and evoke compassion without.
Prostrations to the Divine Guru
Twenty-Seven Verses On Mind Training Je Tsongkapa (1357-1419)
It is very amazing! The 1st time i read with Kechara House committee members i feel very good if i can learn more deep in it!But in it have a lot words i dont understand! Luckly YOKE FUI had teach word by word till i understand the meaning! Thank a lot sista!
Last few day, our HOD Kechara Discovery Paul have revision all this teaching! I know it more clear! it is so wonderful for all this teaching!
If we can apply it in our daily life, how this world will be? I think it can improve ourselve in the shorter way! will have no more war!
Thank you so much Rinpoche have given us all this training!
Dear Rinpoche,
Since I started dharma journey at Kechara House, I have come to realize that I do act mostly on my liking and dislikes. It is very self cherishing. Since then, I Have been sharing with my fellow dharma brothers and sisters at the center and they have been giving me advice patiently on the Buddhist way of living and how is it that the essence of it all is to be selfless and positive in thinking. From then, I started to practice to watch the way my mind works and it has been hard work. A week ago, I got a print out of the 27 verses of mind training from a fellow dharma sibling. As per your instructions, I have been doing it as a daily prayer and have also been contemplating about it regularly. The verses has really held together all the sharing and teachings I have gained from my dharma siblings and also from Your Eminence, like a bowl containing the noodles that were spread out all over the floor previously. The poetic teaching really illustrated how being positive, selfless and being non-attached can be beneficial for your happiness and the happiness of the people around you. It also gives you realization that the opposing actions and mindset brings negative effects to your life. For me, verse 17 had most impact. It mentions that even enemies are profound benefactors in subtle ways. When I think back, it was my enemies that brought out most of my virtues. Whenever my enemies put me in tight spots, it was a test of my strength and will to overcome obstacles. And now, when I meditate upon these teaching, it is easier for me to let go and look to the future. Happiness is once again instilled. Thank you for your wise teachings and love.
With folded hands,
Wee Liang
Twenty-Seven Verses On Mind Training Je Tsongkapa (1357-1419)
It is very amazing! The 1st time i read with Kechara House committee members i feel very good if i can learn more deep in it!
Last feel day, our HOD Kechara Discovery Paul have revision all this teaching! I know it more clear! it is so wonderful for all this!
If we can apply it in our daily life, how this world will be? I think it can improve ourselve in the shorter way! will have no more war!
Thank you so much Rinpoche have give us all this training !
After reading the 27 verses a few times already I begin to realize why Rinpoche exhorts we contemplate on it as our daily sadhana. It really is all of Buddha’s teachings in one. Any one of the verses will have power to plant seeds and open our wisdom eye.
Eg V20 ‘ So sensitive an ecology is the interdependence of all…’ Is about how we are an integral part of the whole and the whole depends on us. This teaching on mutual synergy and dependence is the equivalent of the scientific term ‘butterfly effect’.
Whatever we do will have an effect not only on our immediate friends and location but will exert an influence on the whole world as it triggers the chain of cause and effect. Hence we need to be mindful not to do negative actions, as its harmful effects can affect vast numbers and create endless suffering.
Thanks to Rinpoche for posting the Twenty-Seven Verses on Mind Training. As I am new to Dharma, the verses seemed deep. Fortunately, KMP had a group reading of all the Twenty Verses few days ago and we took turns to read the verses. The KMP liaisons very patiently explained the verses to us. What sticks out for me is on Karma and interdependence. If we realize how interconnected we are, we will stop creating negative actions. By gaining wisdom, we purify our karma. If we do not clear our negative karma, it will multiply over time. By reading the verses time and again, we should gain better understanding and apply it in our lives so that we can be better people and set examples for others.
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for sharing this with us. Immediately after I printed the pages, I had another wee read over them and Verse 13 jumped out for a second time. As children, we can view our parents sometimes as interfering, out-of-touch pains who know nothing about life! We can view our teachers as nuisances, and even try to demean and ridicule our siblings and friends. Yet, all of these people, through their kindness, are the reasons why we are here today, as we are. Without even the smallest gestures of kindness and compassion from others, our lives would be pretty grim, and yet we spend our time expecting more, or not even at all appreciating kind acts that are continuously sent our way.
How important it is to recall and remember the generosity of others, and how much more important it is to not just return that kindness like some loan repayment, but to fully appreciate the kindness of others and give without agenda, condition or expectation.
If we could only appreciate fully what we have, instead of expecting more, and if we could fully appreciate the people around us instead of expecting more from them, I think we ourselves would feel our minds to be much lighter and far more content than it is at present.
These verses are a wonderful gift. Thank you, Dear Rinpoche.
Kindest regards,
Sandy
Dear Rinpoche,
As per your video instructions, I have memorized and recite the 8 verses of thought transformations as part of my daily sadhana. At first I didin’t understand what the 8 verses meant. But i did it anyways. After doing that for a year, I did not become a saint, but now I feel guilty as hell when I do something wrong or do things that are opposite of the 8 verses. Maybe that’s a start.
I shall now faithfully include the 27 verses as part of my daily sadhana, even if i do not understand them fully, I believe I shall reap tremendous benefit because they are Lama Tsongkhapa verses. Here’s to happier days 🙂
Thank you for caring.
Dear Rinpoche
Thank you for posting the 27 rules to real happiness. I read thru it once and found it is very difficult for me to understand. It is because my English is not so good. However we, KMP has gather together yesterday as a group reading and Jamie, David, Susan and Sharon is helping to explain the first 5 verses to us. I found this way is very helpful cause i can understand more. At the same time it help me to understand more deeply about the yesterday Dharma talk by Rinpoche during the Setrap Retreat. I see there is a relation between the 27 Rules to real happiness and Rinpoche’s talk that we are interdependent and we all have the same problems.
Thanks to Rinpoche and the team member.
The 27 verses of happiness is a condensed version of Lamrin and it is very profound that i have a tough time digesting the meaning of some phrases. I find it very similar to the 8 verses of Thought Transformation but more elaborate. I will follow Rinpoche’s advice to read it everyday as part of my practice, creating the positive imprints which will help me excel in my transformation. Through my little understanding currently, we should constantly recognize that serving others and in return receive the bliss. When you practice compassion, you will automatically want to help others and with good motivation you in return be rewarded with happiness. Deceiving others or harming others via our actions, speech & bad thoughts will only create suffering and unhappiness for ourselves. Therefore, we should be practice awareness & adopt altruistic actions and cut away our selfishness to gain happiness for ourselves. I have save the 27 verses of Happiness and will print it out to recite and i will also encourage my kids to read it. I know it will benefit me & my family.
I saw my Mama reading these 27 verses of Lama Tsongkhapa. I did not know what they were exactly, I was fairly confused. So, thank you Rinpoche, for providing the 27 verses to the public as some can achieve real happiness through practicing theses verses. When people think of happiness these days, they would think of somethings that are “bliss” for a slight moment and suffering for a longer period of time. I think that if most of the world practised these infinitely good verses, there would definetly be less or no wars at all. Lama Tsongkhapa does it, he becomes happy, if a layman does it, what difference would there be. It is the same 27 verses, layman or not. That is why these verses are very good, because it brings happines, true happiness. Knowing that it is the Lamrim in short form, I think that is even better, as it can guide me into enlightenment. Once again, thank you Rinpoche, for sharing this with the public, to make many people happy!
Dearest Rinpoche,
from my humble understanding of this blog,
By contemplating on the 27 VERSES ON MIND TRAINING by JE TSONGKAPA again and again, we will be able to train the mind to see beyond our self cherishing thought, and realize that all beings are actually interdependent. That we actually have benefitted from others and others from us. When we associate with others, we should view them as precious no matter if they are “hard to deal with” or not. This is because our perception may not be correct due to our negative Karma. What we perceive as wrong or the way things should be, is from “our” own clouded mind. It’s when we have too much expectation on how things are suppose to be, and it don’t go our way, we become bitter over time. Hence, we should meditate on the 27 VERSES to recognize the negativity that is in us, face it, cut off the root and start to cultivate positive actions and loving kindness. It is only by “practicing” diligently and consistently;
We may be able to check our mind and motivations. We need to remind and check ourselves repeatedly because of our negative imprints which were brought on from so many previous lives. These imprints cannot be turned OFF just like that! Only by having strong faith in the 3 Jewels and through the guidance of our kind Guru we learn the way and method to cut down on negative thoughts and actions. It is useless to learn and not apply. (Just like having a driver’s license with a nice shiny car, but is always waiting for someone else to drive you.) The Guru, spends his time to think of ways to teach, guide, gives specific practices, initiations to us. He invests so much of his time and energy to benefit us. And, we on the other hand always make excuses and running away but hope to achieve enlightenment. One will still only be “hoping”, 10, 20 (maybe more) lifetimes from now! By then the negative Karma created would have been so strong that one may not even have enough merit to know the Dharma.
Now is the time to start our spiritual practice, not tomorrow, not later. Because the sooner we recognize our negative thoughts and actions, the sooner we can face and conquer it. Don’t allow negative and harmful thought to grow their roots so thick and deep in our mind, that we become ignorant to goodness. Because if we allow hatred and bitter thought enough time to breed, we will contract into our ltiny bitter self and hate and blame everyone else (Think Smeagol in LOTR). We should extend ourselves to the benefit of others. Instead of waiting and hoping to receive, we should reach out and give. It is by giving and helping others that we truly help ourselves. This is because when we stop to listen, understands and help others, we stop focusing on ourselves. Our priority is for the betterment others, and over time, without even realizing, our own problems dissolve and disappear, if not become lesser. Practice Dharma, be HAPPY and bring COLOURS to people’s life.
🙂
With much love and respect,
Joe Ang
These verses by Lama Je Tsongkhapa are so poetic and so profound and so complete yet infused with so much humility.
How can we deny that Je Rinpoche is not an enlightened being?
Everything we need to study, contemplate and practice is in these 27 verses.
The managers of Kechara Paradise (KP) have met to read and discuss the essence of the 27 verses.
We had a hard time reading and trying to grasp the meaning. We wrote down the essence of each verse to remind us when we read again.
The managers will in turn read and discuss the verses with all KP staff.
All staff will read the 27 verses before they start their day’s work and dedicate the merits at the end of the day.
This daily sadhana will benefit KP staff and help them to serve customers better at all KP outlets.
I am thoroughly amazed by this 27 profound verses as Lama Tsongkhapa is truly a poet and profound scholar and thinker. His verses and filled with descriptive visuals and eloquent explanation towards cutting away at spiritual dogma towards understanding the true cause for happiness. Lama Tsongkhapa profoundly explains that selfish intentions and all many of clinging and benefitting oneself would only bring about sufferings of many kinds.
Lama Tsongkhapa’s happiness runs counter to much of today’s society and culture that mostly encourages self-indulgence and in fact glorify it. There is very little in today’s world that advocates selfless motivation. Hence, crime rates, depresssion and all manner of social ills are increasing directly and indirectly from the advocacy of selfishness.
Anyway, this is on a larger social scale, while Lama Tsongkhapa is talking about spiritual transformation from an individual introspective perspective. Hence, most of the verses talk about looking inward to discover the selfless nature and strive to nurture it against the habitual patterns of selfish actions. What we have here is priceless treasure that not only applies to Buddhists but to all spiritual seekers.
These 27 verses are definitely one of the most amazing verses that i have read so far. They are what Rinpoche had said about them – mind blowing. As I read through the verses, it just went into my mind because it was written in such a simple yet profound style. The words are both light yet profound at the same time.
The verses seem to be describing the mental state that i am supposed to be in and it does seem hard to actualize it. On the 2nd read, it feels as if beneath all those false illusions that i identify as myself lies a part of my mind that functions this way.
These verses seem to give me a kind of calm that i have never felt before and a greater appreciation of Lama Tsongkhapa…
Dear Rinpoche
before I found out about kechara, I was lost and felt jaded
but after coming to kechara , I felt at peace and even just by doing prostration.I did learn that happiness is something which you, yourself can make it happen.In my case,I decided to fulltime freelance and on the side do volunteer work etc, KSK. For the past almost 10 years of my career,everywhere I work with, its the same and I do tend to bitch about it and end up feeling like crap for I wasn’t happy and this unhappiness seemed to dwell on me,continuously following me wherever I go(workplace).Hence recently, I decided to do something about it.I left my job and now I’m fulltime freelancing, teaching kids art classes(private) and every fortnight or so i volunteer for KSK on late sat nights.
So far,I am beginning to feel happiness gradually seeping into my life.
Thank you ,Rinpoche.
“Beings benefit each other, consciously or unconsciously. Even enemies become profound benefactors in subtle ways.”
Perhaps, this link may be of some help: http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Would-You-Do-to-Your-Enemy?&id=3908859
(and it’s from none other than Rinpoche himself as I recall Him telling this story before in one teaching session on ‘imprints’) in response to understanding the excerpt phrase above.
Degenerate Age…Dharma Ending Age/ mò fǎ / mappō
Oft I would wonder if this term has been used as an excuse for my mind to justify all of its sloppiness and excesses…
Recalling the very fact that even during the time of the Buddha, the supposed ‘Perfect Dharma Age’ and yet we have personalities like His infamous cousin Devadatta and his cohorts, Channa (the Buddha’s own groom and horseman who helped him escape from the palace and later even after ordination, he was known to be incorrigible that the Buddha before His Mahaparinibbana imposed the Brahmadanda/noble silence as the ‘higher penalty’ on him, which after Parinibbana, he repented) and other ‘troublesome’ personalities. Even Ananda, the very personal attendant of the Buddha did not attain any sainthood until just before the First Sangha Council. So perhaps, it’s more about one’s own mind and its resolve rather than the ‘Times/Age/Aeon’ factor per se?
Just an exploration…:-)
When I re-read each of the 27 Rules to Real Happiness, I was awed by the beautiful, delightful (no words good enough to describe) kindness of Je Tsongkapa. Simply reading his words of 600 over years old, I can still experience genuine love and sweetness throughout my mind. After 600 years, Je Tongkapa’s words are still bringing goodness to us without discrimination or judgment at our degeneration! How very kind the Buddhas are!
Here, Tsem Rinpoche is practicing this same sweet kindness by sharing the priceless teachings so openly and generously. Putting these teachings on Rinpoche’s blog make it available to every single person who has the wisdom to suck it all up hungrily! Do not waste this chance and learn the hard way like I had to. Realize immediately how rare such teachings are and how even more rare Rinpoche’s generosity is. Just because Rinpoche gives so readily (this teaching and the many others on this blog and websites like http://www.tsemtulku.com & http://www.kechara.com), we must not be complacent and believe that this is the norm. It is NOT. Just reflect and you will see that I am “right”. So, please absorb every word like a sponge and make conscious effort to excrete them through our actions so that these teachings will not just get stored within and ferment. Even the best of things will spoil if not taken care of or used.
As reading through the verses I feel that it seems like almost everything related strongly to these big words “Selfishness” and somehow we don’t realize it due to our ignorance or we have habituate it since very early age/lifetime. Our suffering is actually direct related to our selfishness intension/motivation. We must acknowledge it! (No hiding) and renounce. It’s not easy…….but at least we can start from expressing kindness and be grateful and show our appreciation, care & love to all these kindness people that have treated us well. By practicing this consistently we will be habituate and the action will come very naturally not only to the people we know but to anyone. I love what Rinpoche mentioned “You deserve to be happy” and for me to be happy is by seeing other people happy towards our selflessness action.
Thank you Rinpoche for this verse. I don’t know how much I can do but I know that I’m looking for happiness and this is the way…I’ll do.
Paul, I agree with you: all the 2500 years old teachings of Lord Buddha and his sages are targeted at the mind. We have been told about the power of the mind. Phrases like “Mind over Matter”, “Free you mind and the rest will follow…”etc. have stood the test of time and the human skeptic & destructive nature. So, they must be true whether we like it or not!
If we acknowledge the power of our minds, we cannot be victims to external factors. In fact, we have to start taking full responsibility of our life and its results. Oh oh, how frightening! Or perhaps, how empowering…
What I find very empowering about acknowledging the strength of the mind is that everything is within my control and “I” have the ability through consistent practice of pure Dharma like the 27 Rules to Happiness and 8 verses of Mind Transformation to become happy, free and peaceful.
Isn’t it wonderful that we have the full authority to create happiness for ourselves and others? Making this idiot proof, the 27 Rule by Lama Tsongkapa has so kindly mapped out specifically HOW we can achieve this: Create happiness by giving happiness to others. Tsem Rinpoche worded this beautifully: Create self worth by giving worth to others.
Apologies if I misled you by sounding so goody goody with my conceptual thoughts above. To put the record straight, I am not. In fact, when I first read this post, my thought was: “Wow, so hard ah. Cannot lah”. However, our Guru put these rules out to begin the journey to reap the full potential of our true human nature. So, until I wise up, the best thing is to trust my Guru.
This is kind of similar to taking and upholding vows, which many avoid because they fear the bind vows have. However, ironically, vows are given not for the sake of the vows, they are given for OUR sake. I learn from Tsem Rinpoche that whether we have taken vows or not, every act that is contradicting the 3 sets of Buddhadharma vows accumulate negative karma that will eventually “get” us when we die. So why not take vows and make a conscious effort daily to develop a good habit of being selfless. On a basic human level, being selfless makes us better people. It will create peace and harmony for us, our family and our society. With consistent effort that causes desirable results, we can inspire for harmony to spread to our region and our world. Viewing vows in this light, I see how silly it is to avoid taking vows.
Be driven and act now because we are aware of the scariness of how badness consumes humanity like a black hole: hungry, merciless and quick (look at how fast degeneration happens compared to building of goodness). Let’s join our friends like Thierry, Ivy, and Albert who have the merits to make the immediate decision to embrace Rinpoche’s advise to put these 27 verses into daily practice.
When I first read the 27 Verses on Mind Training composed by Lama Je Tsongkhapa, I did not understand what it was trying to tell us. Later when KH Committee sat down to read the verses one by one and we discussed over them, I began to understand the general idea of what these verses was about.
It is a poem of the complete Lamrin
It is important to purify our negative karmic actions even though we may be learned
Sentient beings of the 6 realms suffers because of our own selfish actions, intention, pleasure and pain in samsara but we still cling on to these ignorantly
Learn to cultivate the mind like a mother to her child: 100% positive intention of kindness and skillful loving care in every action and thought to help others, like her own child
I guess most of us instilled a protective shell around us trying not to let our guard down to protect ourselves from being hurt but are we truly protecting ourselves in this manner? Why is it so hard for our minds to open up to virtuous teachings that can benefit us?
Wow, these words of the Sage is really mind blowing. I have to re-read many times and wish to contemplate further again and again as these are the words of the brilliant Buddha Manjushri for our real happiness. I may not be able to practise or closely practise everything that was said here but I will surely work towards it because it is for my and others sustainable happiness – nothing to lose but more to gain. These rules when applied are antidotes to selfish minds. Selfish minds create unhappiness and suffering for oneself and others while the selfless mind brings sustainable happiness and liberation for others.
I can feel the blessings of Lama Tsongkhapa just from reading these verses. Each verse is like a wish-fulfilling jewel that can benefit the mind of the reader. These words can actually lead you to the heart of Buddha. I was touched by the beauty of the language. And this is only a translation. I can only imagine how astoundingly beautiful the original text must be. Lama Tsongkhapa composed this “poem of rapturous affection to strengthen the diamond-sharp conviction of those already faithful to the path of wisdom”. The feeling of Lama Tsongkhapa’s deep affection for us is very strong when I read the verses. I’ve never felt this before. Now I’m convinced that the practice of Buddhism is the true path. It is the practice of love and faith in universal goodness. I shall recite these verses as a daily sadhana.
Thank you Rinpoche for this beautiful poetry of happiness.
When I first started reading these verses my mind was having a conversation of her own. First it went, “Huh? What? I don’t understand…” Basically my mind was trying to play tricks on me and this reaction typically stems from my resistance to believing that happiness is really simply about mind set and pure intentions.
You see, my silly mind has been very well trained to be selfish under the pretense of “protecting myself from being hurt”. Yes, I am sure many of us can relate to this phrase. Some of us live this as a motto. Yeap, motto to pure unhappiness.
As I forced myself to continue reading the verses, I consciously kept telling my mind to shut up and be open to receive the teachings for me to be happy. In verse 16 my mind begins to contemplate deeper…
Happiness is about intention, getting connected to basic humanity of kindness, love and compassion, and bringing out all that goodness for others. It sounds ironical that happiness is created by completely giving up one self to benefit others. Here we thought that happiness was all about ME, ME and more ME.
It is not easy to break from my habituation of creating baseless happiness which many a times have been external, short lived and inconsistent. But, I have to start somewhere, somehow and NOW. May my journey to happiness within and without begin with these beautiful 27 Rules to Happiness!
As I read the Twenty-Seven Verses On Mind Training again and again on Rinpoche’s blog, I can recall Rinpoche always tell us to put these teachings close to our heart, transform to become better and kinder person. As such, the main teaching in Kechara House, taught by H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, is the Eight Verses of Mind Transformations, which in essence is similar to the twenty-seven verses by Lama Tsongkhapa
Upon Rinpoche’s request, Margaret Lee painted the text and made it into a very beautiful painting with nice thick frame and it is hung right next to the main entrance of KH-1. This serves as a reminder to all who walks into Kechara House.
Now we are progressing and given the chance to learn additional knowledge under the Twenty-Seven Verses On Mind Training.
For anyone who is interested, I have found the full outline of the Eight Verses of Mind Transformations, inside one of the older version of Rinpoche’s web page:-
http://tsemtulku.com/resources/prayers/prayers-preliminaries/eight-verses-of-mind-transformation/
Below is my favourite phase, and perhaps one of the more difficult for practice as well.
“Whenever I meet a person of bad nature,
Overwhelmed by negative energy and intense suffering,
I will hold such a rare one dear
As if I’ve found a precious treasure.”
Paul
Reading through the Twenty-Seven Verses On Mind training line by line is just as good as receiving the teaching and knowledge directly from Lama Tsongkhapa himself just like I do with our spiritual guide, H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche.
These are the words of wisdom from the enlightened mind that was passed down to us since 500 plus years ago.
Thanks to the kindness of H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, we now have the great fortunate to receive this precious teaching by the holy master Lama Tsongkhapa.
As I am reading through these verses, the Eight Verses of Mind Transformations appears in my mind. Both of these teachings are very similar, which is focusing on the mind training and transformation. All Buddha’s teaching and H.E. Tsem Tulku Rinpoche’s teaching are focus on the mind, and that’s the potential we have as human to become better and kinder person for the benefits of others.
Thank you for such a precious lesson.
Paul
Dearest Rinpoche
I was sitting and was wondering what I am going to do. “With the theme song from movie “Eraser” humming in my head – Where do we go from here”. Visited your blog and saw the 27 versus on Mind Training. I said to myself that I am going to practice it. So I printed out and from the website and wanted brought it home. Somehow I forgot to bring them from my car to my house for 2 days, I got upset with myself for my tardiness. Met up with Ash Ng yesterday to collect my stuff and share about Rinpoche’s teaching and also shared about the 27 versus of Mind Training. Ash didnt see the 27 versus and I happily pass it to him for him to practice it with his Sadhanas. I am glad that I didnt say I pass it to you after I made photo copies I happily passed it to with the clear holder. I am not proud of myself for doing that but it gives me a chance to practice to serve others before myself and mindfulness. Rinpoche shared his knowledge with us but for me pass it to someone else is insighifance. I am glad that I am learning day by day. Happy are those who are willing to share and the change begins with me. With Love and respect.
Reading these verses reminds of the bits and pieces of advices which my parents and elder relatives used to tell me when I was growing up. The thoroughness in these verses of why and how we should practise transforming our mind is truly “mind boggling” and yet sounds simple.
I believe that we find these rules hard to follow is due to wrong habituations practiced by us due to the structures set up to create degeneration in society whereby beings in this society can be controlled by dualistic thinking.
One of the things I remember being taught in school was opposites, good and bad, like and dislike and so on, therefore from the very beginning already we are taught to be self cherishing with dualistic thinking, creating constant dissatisfaction, envy and hate which are definitely emotions to unhappiness.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these verses with us, so that we know that there are ways out of our sufferings.
Dearest rinpoche,
These words are inspiring, beautiful like rays of wisdom through a cloudy sky. I will make a poster of it and try to live in this manner. It is a powerful medicine for the mind and I thank you from the bottom of my heart as it is so calming.
With Folded hands , your student
Dr Chong
Rinpoche,
On another post (on preparing for Vajrayogini practice) you recommend ten activities *before* the customary six preparatory practices, including the “practice” of the Eight Verses of Thought Transformation; the “study” of five other texts (one of which was lojong, though this seems to be a genre rather than a specific text); and the daily recitation of a practice such as the Gaden Lhagyema. I surmise, then, that this is the lojong text you had in mind…?
For someone who has taken no tantric vows or initiations, it seems that you recommend Je Tsongkhapa guru yoga, and now this, as daily recitation practices. Would you include anything else in this list?
As an aside, I have mixed feelings about Tibetan Buddhism’s emphasis on the recitation of texts. I can appreciate that it helps to focus the mind on certain images and topics, but wonder how much of one’s time should be given over to this sort of thing. (The fact that tantra revolves around sadana recitation discourages me from wishing to commit to it.)
Most of us are just like a dog chasing its own tail for whatever apparent mundane activities and materialistic reasons without realizing that we are actually CHASING AFTER SUFFERING not the true happiness which we think we are…haizzzz… Going round and round without a true purpose in life is actually wasting our human existence in this lifetime. This leads us to our own self centeredness. How fortunate we are that Rinpoche has chosen to be here and continuously guiding us even to sharing these so profound 27 verses of mind transformation by Lama Je Tsongkhapa. Itself is Lamrim which Rinpoche has been and always teaching us all the time. Intricacy of our own deluded mind lead us to more negative thoughts and actions which will take us to lower realms. Thus, we MUST, at least myself will make this 27 verses of mind transformation as my daily sadhana. It is all in our own hands if we want to end sufferings. Wonderful positive and lasting results will sprung forth.
“Like Jesus we belong to the world, living not for ourselves but for others.”…by Mother Teresa.
Thank you Rinpoche. I am learning so much from you. No many teachers are like you. It is such an incredible chance to learn from you in this life time. Even far away it can work as what really count is my sincere motivation and dedication to listen to you with an open heart and mind and do the practices you are recommending.
I will from monday 5 to sat july 31 do everyday the reading and focus on one verse a day as Shirley came up with this great idea. With a deep, deep gratitude.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this powerful antidode to our sufferings. The 8 versus of mind transformation written by Geshe Langri Thangpa Dorje Senge (1054-1123) is already very profound. These 27 versus of mind transformation written directly by Lama Tsongkhapa are even more extraordinary. When I was reciting these 27 versus yesterday together with KSK committee, it reinforced the understanding of the causes of our deep self inflicted sufferings, even though we are in such degenerated age, to have the great fortune and merits to come across such master piece of self liberation, I should treasure it deeply in my heart and will include this in my daily sadhana. To receite this everyday is to recondition how our mind think, we constantly need that adjustment as the world we are living in today, only feeds us with more delusions rather than clarity. The best offerings to our dear Guru is to put these versus into practice in our daily life. Thank you Rinpoche.
As I read these 27 verses with my ladrang counterparts I was overwhelmed with emotions and I didn’t know why. It’s not that I had a realisation or anything but the verses just caused a reaction. Its like Rinpoche said in this teaching http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/2010/07/imprints-talk-now-available-on-youtube.html
Something was triggered in me, i’m a little hesitant to explore this deeper, afraid at what I may find but it must be good, and its recommended to bring about positive results in our mindstreams to read this as a daily sadhanna, then I will follow and let you know what happens. Perhaps it will help others perhaps it won’t, but if its as Rinpoche says that our lives become better then why not give it a go.
I would have never read these 27 rules to happiness if Rinpoche did not ask us to. All departments in Kechara are asked to read this daily like our sadhana (prayer). It very empowering as it sets your motivation right for the day and makes me reflect on my thoughts and how I will carry out my day or the next day.
These verses are very profound and some parts need to be really contemplated. But when you do contemplate, and understand it, it is easier to digest and apply the practice. It is really wisdom to true happiness.
One thing fantastic about these prayers is that it gives you the antidote to cut away your selfish mind which is the causes of all the miseries you experience in your life. Thank you Rinpoche for giving us the medicine to happiness!
In the moments before waking up I sometimes am in a a very lucid state where I can very easily visualize things… Before waking today I found myself in such a state, and for some reason decided to visualize all the buddhas before me and ask that they might send me a teacher so that I might have direction…
Anyhow, when I woke up, I checked your blog and saw this post. I will take this as sign, and recite these verses everyday along with my other prayers, in hopes that that contemplation upon their meaning will give me direction until I find a teacher.
Like Wai Meng said, I would have never found these verses on my own. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you Rinpoche, for helping us realize the true essence of life. In this materialistic world it is so easy to falter and be lured . However, its great masters like you who help us layman come back on track.
I’ve been listening and watching your videos on YouTube on a regular basis and I must confess that it has helped me immensely in understanding the dharma . I do hope to meet you in person one of these days soon.
This is my fervent prayer.
Thank you Rinpoche one more time.
Sincere Regards,
Sunita
These are the most beautiful 27 verses that I have ever come across. These are not mere eloquent words put together to convey the artistry of writing, but these words actually stir my mind and move my heart. The essence of this article is truly about cultivating a GLORIOUS “SUN OF GREAT COMPASSION” within us so that we can always “taste the nectar of wisdom” and walk the path of loving kindness. Like the sun shines without any obstruction in the sky, it consistently gives life to all life forms. If we do not have the sun, the earth would surely die. The 27 verses establish a clear, logical and simple way for us to start practicing in our daily life. Personally, I have always grappled with volatility of the mind and no matter how intelligent or articulate I may be, it only serves to magnify my instability. Hence, my so-called intelligent does not help me in any way, least of all, others. In fact, my intelligence would even become the causes for me to do more harm unto others and myself. Until my mind is steady and firm, no matter what, I will use everything I am blessed with to serve others in the best way possible. This is one of the many reasons why I love this post and value it so much. It presents an antidote to my existing ailments. The cure would come in the form of my relentless determination to work at it and incorporate these verses into my every being – until every impulse is ALTRUISTIC. Only then I can begin to live a blissful life, in every sense of the word. Thank you, Rinpoche. THANK YOU. I will never give up.
In this degenerate age, our selfish minds, our big ego, hatred, anger, jealousy, desire, everything that our self-cherishing mind perceived is good, will lead us no where but to the lower realms without us realizing it.
To cherish others more than oneself, to show love and compassion and to work hard for the benefit of others, will lead us to have a more fulfilled life. The 27 verses I will cherish in my heart and recite it daily and apply it in my daily life. Rinpoche always asked us to contemplate on the 8 verses of mind training. Now we will move one step up and contemplate and apply the 27 verses of mind training into our lives.
WOW!!! It’s quite a vast and profound amount of information. After reading all of it, I confess that I’ve only manage to understand some of it.
I will meditate on it and start doing this 27 verses as part of my daily Sadhana from today onwards. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing these teaching with us.
As I believe I need to start practicing how to be at peace with oneself and with people who are difficult with us. By practicing on focusing on others on a daily basis, we will create the habituation of focusing on ourself less and less… until there is no more self cherishing thoughts… what a superb formula….
KSK Committee read these verses together today. I agree with what Yoke Fui commented. Verse 17 is one of the hardest,if not the hardest, to actualise it. And if it doesn’t, it remains as just dry intellectual knowledge.
We are at such degenerated age where beings are self absorbed with oneself and everything has to be me, me and me first. Then only to our “love ones” and beyond. Our enemies, or whom we perceive as such, is always at the bottom of the barrel. Hence it is such a wonderful practice that everyday when we do our Gaden Lhagyama, at the beginning of our visualisation, we visualise those who disturb us in front of us. I pray that in time it comes naturally and translate that into our daily lifes.
I have recently started recitating the 27 verses as part of my daily Sadhana, and eventhough I can’t claim that I understand them in totality, I noticed that my mind was going “bzzzzzzzz” upon their recitation, just like when you upload a big file on your computer and the hard drive goes “bzzzzzzz” turning at high speed, absorbing and arranging the information.
Here I mean a healthy and joyful “bzzzz”, not the kind of “bzzzzzz” that brings hard disk failure, but one that brings a re-formatting, making the computer faster, more dynamic, a BOOSTER!
These 27 verses a very nice addition to my sadhana, and I actually look forward to the reading as I enjoy this “bzzzz” very much, I know it is helping.
Thank so much Rinpoche for giving us access to these rare and extraordinary verses written directly by Lama Tsongkhapa himself!
If left on my own I would have never found this beautiful verses, which is sheer spiritual poetry. Thank you so much Rinpoche. I’m very taken by the message in these verses – Lama Tsongkhapa’s version of the practice of mind training. What I understand from these verses is that it helps us to develop the mind of compassion. This mind has countless benefits and serves as a cause for enlightenment.
I’d like the verses very much, and I hope to have a deeper understanding of each verse through deeper contemplation. It is definitely a companion for practitioners serious about practice and realization. Something we cannot do without. I would like to contemplate on one verse a day, even if only for a few moments.
Self cherishing, self grasping and ego will lead us NO WAY but only further sufferings, These 27 verses of mind training will help to get rid of my self cherishing mind if I consistently contemplate and practice sincerely everyday as Rinpoche’s advise , TO MEMORIZE,PRACTICE,TAKE REFUGE IN AND USE AS A GUIDELINE FOR OUR DHARMA PRACTICE.
It seem very difficult to achieve this perfect wisdom in order to become enlighten, but according Je Tsongkhapa, we can cultivate these qualities by showing cares, kindness to all being, to develop kindness through cut the root of all selfish projections (verse 11)
After read through these verses 2 times, my 1st thought was HOW IMPOSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE? But through contemplating, unless I want to continue to be the general type of people and since I am in dharma, in order to inspire people, to bring others into dharma, myself must set a good example and slowly achieve these qualities.
Yesterday, a group of us read the 27 Verses of Tsongkhapa’s Mind Transformation together and tried to understand the meanings.
The verse that we found most challenging is verse 17 – “Beings benefit each other, consciously or unconsciously. Even enemies become profound benefactors in subtle ways”.
Intellectually, we can relate to this because enemies give us opportunity to practice patience, letting go, avoid creating more negative actions etc. At this present moment we really can’t figure out how enemies can be of benefit to us.
However, since Lama Tsongkhapa said so, we will keep that in mind even when we come across a most obnorcious person because we sincerely want to improve ourselves.
Terima Kasih Rinpoche!
Dear Albert,
I like what you wrote. You’re very intelligent and write excellently.
I am so happy to hear your comments. The 27 verses would suit people like you who needs to understand reality, life and have a greater purpose. Without a greater purpose, you would becomed disillusioned and bored eventually with living in general.
Tsem Tulku
Many of us have been having a mindset of seeking for ‘happiness’ by chasing after material satisfaction, but without realizing it, this material satisfaction is the main criteria to enhance our selfishness and distancing ourselves by egocentricity. With this wrong mindset, it will not bring us anywhere but further into the sea of suffering. That’s why we need to contemplate on these 27 verses of mind training and put it into action, as it will not transform us immediately, but we can cultivate these qualities by starting to care and show our kindness to the people close to us then slowly to a wider group of people. Contemplate and practicing it well will gain us ultimate wisdom in the path of enlightenment.
After went through this teaching, I realize that my own self cherishing mind will only bring myself into illusory darkness. To avoid myself for going further into that, I really need to meditate it well, even not gaining enlightenment in this life, but at least it can prevent me for going into the 3 lower realms for the next rebirth.