Sakya Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism
"Through the practice of Vajrayana Buddhism, may the radiant flower of
Tibetan Culture be preserved for the benefit of all beings."
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Lecturer: Ken Hockett
Sunday, April 24th
Time: 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Location: Cultural Hall
Suggested contribution: $25 Public, $15 Members
Prerequisite: None

In Tibet, the tradition and transmission of Mind Training was passed down from the great Indian Master, Atisha, to the Kadampa Masters of the 11th Century. The importance of this teaching was recognized such that this teaching quickly spread to all the schools of Buddhist practice and remains an integral part of all the traditions to this day. The purpose of Mind Training (Lojong) is to develop Bodhicitta, the Mind intent on attaining Buddhahood for the benefit of others. Without Bodhicitta, true Enlightenment is not possible. The method of Mind Training is through meditation which combines Calm Abiding and Insight to experience Emptiness and through post-meditation practices of mindfulness and Compassion which includes the practice of Tonglen.

The Eight Verses of Mind Training are a very approachable set of aphorisms in verse form which contain the essentials of Mind Training. This will be a practice-oriented class on the Eight Verses and how to incorporate them into a daily Mind Training practice. There will be a brief introduction to Mind Training and the Eight Verses and we will discuss their meaning with some emphasis on the practice of Calm-Abiding/Insight Meditation and Tong-Len as components of the training. We will use a daily practice within which to provide personal continuity to this most essential practice.

Text: The Eight Verses of Mind Training of Kadam Geshé Langri Tenpa

Ken Hockett is one of the senior Dharma students at Sakya. After much reading and study, he took refuge before H.H. Jigdal Dagchen Sakya in 1977. His principal interest is in the Mind Training methods and has been teaching these at Sakya Monastery for over 10 years. Having received teachings and initiations from Lamas of all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism, his main teachers are of the Sakya and Nyingma traditions. He has also produced many of the practice texts used at Sakya Monastery.

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