In this series Khen Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsering, abbot of Sera Mey monastery guides us through the Vajrasattva practice text, including the Vajrasattva visualisation and One Hundred Syllable Mantra.
He places a particular emphasis on the Four Powers, a powerful psychological approach central to any purification practice, and leads us through the single deity practice, which doesn’t require an initiation. Once learned, this can become a quick, easy and indeed indispensable daily practice.
As usual, Geshe la gives an in depth commentary based on a variety of sources, all in his trademark down to earth style.
In this class, we move now from the first of the Four Powers, the Power of Reliance, to the Power of Regret. The text asks us to review the harmful actions we have done, both those we can remember and those from previous lives, and then generate deep regret. But how to do this effectively? This is the approach Geshe la takes, he wants us to create a rich and profound purification practice, one that is based in the reality of our day to day lives.
He advises us to look at the shape of our mental state in say, 10 minutes. How much of our experience is virtuous, how much non-virtuous, how much neutral? What, in other words, are we looking at here? What is the urgency, why purify? These answers should become self-evident if we take the time to observe our minds.
First, we tackle our actions. Then we deal with the causes of these actions – the afflictions and intentions that arise from them. Here Geshe la reviews the four laws of karma, and it becomes clear how internalising these will deepen the regret we feel for the negative actions and their causes that we have identified.
We address Vajrasattva and ask for help. Again, what does this mean? What is the nature of the refuge object here? Geshe la skilfully talks us through causal and result refuge by way of an answer.
Moving onto the Power of the Remedial Action, Geshe la makes the essential point that it is not the results we need to purify, but the causes. This is profound and yet accessible Buddhism in action.
Once again, an amazing class from a great master.
Our next class is on Sunday 20th February. We look forward to seeing you then.
With best wishes,
The Admin Team
You can find details of upcoming classes as well as the text available for download here.