In today’s episode of Practicing Buddhism, Geshe Tashi continues his commentary on A Harvest of Powerful Attainment by Lama Tsongkhapa.
In this “how to” manual from the fourteenth century, Geshe la explains that each verse is a stage in our training. Verse 4 tells us how we should relate to a spiritual teacher; verse 5 how we should cultivate our mind to be like a fertile field, fit for purpose; verse 6 tells us to turn away from samsaric things; and now in verse 7 we are advised to turn away from self-cherishing. In this next step, Geshe la says, if we are ever to cultivate a long-lasting compassion, it is important for us to first develop a deep sense of dearness, of closeness with all other beings. If we then train very hard compassion will arise effortlessly, just as, without training, the self-centred mind arises effortlessly.
A Harvest of Powerful Attainment (verse 7)
Prayer for Blessings of the Close Lineage
Seeing all living beings to be my mothers most kind,
bless me that I, recalling the sufferings of the weak,
turn from practice born of self-interest
toward an effortless love and compassion.
p.111 The Splendour of an Autumn Moon, Lama Tsongkhapa, trans. Gavin Kilty.
https://foundationsofbuddhistthought.org/
Khen Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsering taught in London for over 25 years and is currently Abbot of Sera Mey Monastery in Karnataka State, India.
Echoing others’ thanks and deep appreciation – especially opening up the deeper meanings behind the words.
Love to all, Jane
Sorry belated thanks to the admin team in much nicer Cornwall( love London but still think so) One at least i tend to forget your work as Ghescela have been appearing ..like magic on my pc screen…Thank you so much from Tuscany and ani Marta
Thank you Ven Marta, that is very kind of you, and thank you for your regular comments. Tuscany, is of course, very lovely!
Dear team!🙏🙏🙏
Thank you so much for all your work in London to bring Geshe-la’s precious teachings all the way from India into my home in Australia. It has been meaningful beyond words and without the virus this would never have happened. Thank you.
Thank you very much Grace! It really is a pleasure to be doing this. We’re not in London but in Cornwall, much nicer – at least we think so! We have quite a number of Australians on the FBT course right now, we seem to be slowly growing a good e-community there.
Geshe la was always planning to to some classes online at some point, but it is true, this virus has been a real catalyst, and has allowed him the time he would normally spend doing a great deal of travelling between monasteries, as well as running Sera Mey.
Thank you for your comments Grace,
The Admin Team x
Dear Geshe Tashi, Thank you, thank you, thank you. And thank you, thank you, thank you to The Amazing Admin Team. During todays teaching I laughed and cried and (I hope) was inspired to make more effort to become more warm-hearted. j
The Amazing Admin Team says thank you, thank you, thank you back Julie, for your inspiring and joyful comments!
Thank you Geshe Tashi ,
Tashi delek
Once again, a very welcome teaching indeed. As always, you give a very thorough explanation of the text, to impart the utmost understanding. This teaching I found very thought provoking, and it made me feel quite emotional at one point. Many thanks.
Jeh-yong
Thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️ I able to follow you pray Green Tara together at my home
Dear Gheshe la thank you from the bottom of my heart for your compassion and wisdom in teaching us regularly this text
I enjoy your teachings very much for your humor and depth They bring joy and calmness to my mind and much needed support for my practice Take care See you soon hopefully
with respect and gratitude
your student from Italy ani Marta
Dear Geshe la, deeply grateful to hear your teachings, thank you so much.
Love and bows, susan (Brighton)
Thank you Yeshe, for being with so many of us in London nearly every day. It helps us to be joyful, hopeful and helpful to those near us every day.