A guy from one of the forums I frequent, named Scix,  made a really cool monologue video called 'On Love' that he put on youtube.com.  When I watched it, I thought what he had to say hit on a lot of Buddhist thought, whether he intended it that way or not, so I decided to use some of what he said as the basis for this weeks podcast.

This week we are talking about being in the moment, what that means, what it doesn't mean and how it becomes very intertwined with the concept of attachment.

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.