Eight Verses For Training The Mind
by Geshe Langri Tangpa
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#1. [THE PRECIOUSNESS OF ALL LIVING BEINGS]
By thinking of all sentient beings
as even better than the wish-granting gem,
for accomplishing the highest aim,
may I always consider them precious.
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or
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With the thought of attaining enlightenment
For the welfare of all beings,
Who are more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel,
I will constantly practice holding them dear. (from Amitbha Buddhist Center)
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#2. [DEVELOPING HUMILITY AND RESPECT]
Wherever I go, with whomever I go,
may I see myself as less than all others,
and from the depth of my heart
may I consider them supremely precious.
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or
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Whenever I am with others
I will practice seeing myself as the lowest of all,
And from the very depth of my heart
I will respectfully hold others as supreme.
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#3. [CULTIVATING MINDFULNESS]
May I examine my mind in all actions
and as soon as a negative state occurs,
since it endangers myself and others,
may I firmly face and avert it.
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or
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In all actions I will examine my mind
And the moment a disturbing attitude arises,
Endangering myself and others,
I will firmly confront and avert it.
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#4. [CHERISHING THOSE WHO ARE DIFFICULT]
When I see beings of a negative disposition
or those oppressed by negativity or pain,
may I, as if finding a treasure, consider them precious,
for they are rarely met.
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or
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Whenever I meet a person of bad nature
Who is overwhelmed by negative energy and intense suffering,
I will hold such a rare one dear,
As if I had found a precious treasure.
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#5. [OFFERING THE VICTORY TO OTHERS]
Whenever others, due to their jealousy,
revile and treat me in unjust ways,
may I accept this defeat myself,
and offer the victory to others.
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or
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When others, out of jealousy,
Mistreat me with abuse, slander and so on,
I will practice accepting defeat
And offer the victory to them.
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#6. [LEARNING FROM THOSE WHO HARM US]
When someone whom I have helped
or in whom I have placed great hope
harms me with great injustice,
may I see that one as a sacred friend.
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or
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When someone I have benefited
And in whom I have placed great trust
Hurts me very badly,
I will practice seeing that person as my supreme teacher.
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#7. [THE PRACTICE OF TAKING AND GIVING — tog-len]
In short, may I offer, both directly and indirectly,
all joy and benefit to all beings, my mothers,
and may I myself secretly
take on all their hurt and suffering.
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or
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In short, I will offer directly and indirectly
Every benefit and happiness to all beings, my mothers.
I will practice in secret taking upon myself
All their harmful actions and sufferings.
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#8. [THE ILLUSORY NATURE OF PHENOMENA]
May they not be defiled
by the concepts of the eight mundane concerns,
and aware that all things are illusory,
may they, ungrasping, be free from bondage.
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or
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Without these practices being defiled by the stains of the eight worldly concerns,
By perceiving all phenomena as illusory,
I will practice without grasping to release all beings
From the bondage of the disturbing unsubdued mind and karma.
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THE EIGHT VERSES OF MIND TRAINING, BY GESHE LANGRI TANGPA
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#1.
Determined to obtain the greatest possible benefit from all sentient beings, who are more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel, I shall at all times practice holding them most dear.
or
Determined to accomplish all success, I shall always practice holding dear all sentient beings, who are more precious than wish-fulfilling gems. (from HHDL article)
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#2
When in the company of others, I shall at all times practice considering myself the lowest of all, while from the depths of my heart holding others dear and supreme.
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Wherever I go and whomever I accompany I shall practice seeing myself as the lowest of all and sincerely hold others dear and supreme.
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#3.
Vigilant, the moment a delusion appears in my mind, endangering myself and others, I shall at all times practice confronting and averting it without delay.
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In all actions I shall examine my mind, and the moment an unsubdued thought arises, endangering myself and others, I shall face and avert it.
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#4.
Whenever I see beings wicked in nature and overwhelmed by violent negative actions and suffering, I shall at all times practice holding such rare, difficult-to-find ones dear, as if I had found a precious treasure.
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Whenever I see a being of wicked nature, who is overwhelmed by heavy non-virtue and suffering, I shall hold him near, as if I had discovered a precious treasure, difficult to find.
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#5.
When, out of envy, other mistreat me with abuse, insult, or the like, I shall at all times practice accepting defeat and offering the victory to others.
or
When out of jealousy others treat me badly with abuse, insult and the like, I shall practice accepting defeat and offering the victory to others.
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#6.
When someone whom I have benefited and in whom I have great hopes gives me terrible harm, I shall at all times practice regarding that person as my holy guru.
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When someone I have benefited and in whom I have great hopes gives me terrible harm, I shall practice regarding him or her as my holy guru.
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#7.
In short, both directly and indirectly, do I offer every happiness and benefit to all my mothers. I shall at all times practice secretly taking upon myself all their harmful actions and suffering.
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In short, both directly and indirectly, I offer every benefit and happiness to all my mothers. Secretly, I shall practice taking all their harmful actions and suffering upon myself.
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#8.
Through my perceiving all dharmas as illusory, may all the above practices never be defiled by the stains of the superstitions of the eight worldly dharmas, and may I, free of clinging, be released from the bondage of attachment.
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With all these (practices) undefiled by the stains of the superstitions of the eight (worldly) dharmas, by perceiving all dharmas as illusory I shall practice, without grasping, to release (all sentient beings) from bondage.
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[End]