This weeks talks takes quite a few twists and turns.  I start out talking about whether one can be on Bodhisattva path, striving to gain enlightenment for the benefit of others, without attachment.  We meander into skepticism in Buddhism and end up in the translation process of Buddhist texts.

And the answer to the question?  You’ll just have to listen to find out!

This week, we are talking about the Eight Verses of Mind Training.  This is a teaching that was written by Geshe Langri Tangpa (1054-1123) He was the student of Geshe Potowa, who was one of the principal disciples of Atisha.   If you would like to know more about Geshe Langri Tangpa you can read more here.

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.

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.

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.

When I see beings of a negative disposition
Or those opposed by negativity or pain,
May I, as if finding a treasure, consider them precious,
For they are rarely met.

When others, due to their jealousy,
Revile and treat me in unjust ways,
May I accept this defeat myself,
And offer the victory to others.

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.

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.

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.

For a more detailed explanation of emptiness (here, illusion) we have covered it some previous podcasts 10, 11 and 12. 

I have had a hell of a time getting this podcast out.  I recorded it and somehow the file was corrupt so I had to redo it.

What we are talking about this week is the balance between study and practice on the Buddhist path.  We reference the Refuge Vows from Episode 33 as well as Tonglen practice.  We talked about Tonglen here, here and here.  It’s also discussed in a couple of other places too.  Just search for Tonglen using the search tool for more info.

This week, I take the podcast tagline (Classic Buddhist Themes for the 21st Century) quite literally as we examine the meaning behind an ancient Buddhist chant, ‘The Four Dharmas of Gampopa’.  The chant goes like this:

Grant your blessings so that my mind may be one with the Dharma.

Grant your blessings so that Dharma may progress along the path.

Grant your blessings so that the path may clairfy confusion.

Grant your blessings so that confusion may dawn as wisdom.

First, we have a little history lesson.  We talk about who Gampopa was and his relationship to Milarepa and the Kagyu teachings.

This little chant leads us all the way from the start of the path to the fruition of the journey.

In our discussions, we mention the previous podcasts on The Four Reminders.

This week on the podcast we actually talk about how to meditate.  While I still say that going to a meditation center for formal instruction is the best thing, I have come to realize that this isn’t always possible, so we go through exactly what you need, how to do it and how to deal with some common problems.

In the podcast, we talk about cushions so here is a picture of my cushion and zafu.  The technical term for the large cushion is a zabutan, although I just got this out of a pillow bin at Garden Ridge and it works better than any true zabutan I have used.

I got the black zafu from The Monastery Store and it is somewhat unique.  Most Zafus are filled with either kapok or buckwheat hulls.  This one is half filled with the buckwheat hulls and the other half is viscoelastic memory foam, like those temperpedic mattresses.  Unless you have a really bad back, or just like the extra cushion, either kapok or buckwheat should be fine.

Another good source for zafus, zabutans and gomdens is Samadhi Cushions.  My other zafu that isn’t pictured is from there.

We talk about sitting posture which is easier to understand if you see it, so here is a picture of it.

In addition, we talk about what to do when discomfort sets in.  Simply raise one or both legs so the feet are on the floor and adjust while continuing to watch the breath.

If you have any questions or problems, please email me at lans@enlighten-up.org or leave a comment on the web site, enlighten-up.org.

What a week it’s been.  I spent about 3 days trying to a repair the rss feed so that all the listeners using podcatchers would get the feed.  In addition, if you check out the blog site, you’ll see that there has been a little bit of redesign.  Check it out and tell me what you thing.

This week, we are talking about something that is unique to Buddhism, the fact that no faith is required.  We talk about in what ways this is relevant to our path.

So if we aren’t required to believe in anything, what exactly makes a Buddhist?  For a classic answer, we hear from Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse’s wonderful book “What makes you NOT a Buddhist“.

We also mention Gwen Bell from the Zen Is Stupid podcast as an example of someone who follows the Buddhist path without identifying herself as a Buddhist.

We are back after a few months off!

This time we’re talking about remembering. What do a statue of the Buddha, bowing, pictures and paintings and meditation practice have in common? They all help us remember.

We also mention the Four Reminders, which I talked about in a previous podcast as well as Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche’s wonderful commentary on it ‘Turning Towards Liberation’.

Special thanks to my wife Chris for adding the extra vocal talent to this episode.

On this episode of the podcast, we are all over the place. Jimmy from SA wrote a couple of great questions which I attempt to tackle.

The first is dealing with differences in who we are and what we perceive the dharma says we should be. Is humor with questionable themes against the teachings? How about combat sports? Poop?

Then we talk about chanting. What it is, why we do it and how prevelant it is in a modern sangha. We also look at a few situations where spontaneous chanting is useful.

Some of the chants discussed:

• The Heart Sutra (The Sutra of the Heart of Transcendent Knowledge)
• ‘Om Mani Padme Hung‘ (Compassion Mantra)
• Supplication to the Takpo Kagyus

We also discuss the practice of tonglen.

In addition, it’s that time of year again: Podcamp San Antonio Numero Dos. I play the San Antonio City Cynic’s promotional rap song for the event. It’s a hoot! For more information about Podcamp San Antonio II, just click here or here.

On this episode of the podcast, we talk about anger and how to deal with it.

Today, I’m reading and responding to some viewer mail.

If there is no local Meditation Center in your area, what are your options?

Books on Meditation

• ‘Turning The Mind Into An Ally‘- The Sakyong, Mipham Rinpoche
• ‘The Path Is The Goal‘ – Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche

Meditation Instruction On Line

• Meditation Instruction – The Sakyong, Mipham Rinpoche

Online Buddhist Discussion

• E-Sangha
  

Other Buddhist Podcasts

• The Interdependence Project
• Buddhist Geeks