Lecturer: Ken Hockett
Tuesday and Wednesday: October 3rd and 4th
Time: 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Location: Shrine Room
Suggested contribution: $15 Members, $20 Non-Members
Prerequisite: None
Text: The Eight Verses of Mind Training of Kadam Geshé Langri Tangpa
The aim of Buddhist practice is to attain perfect enlightenment, Buddhahood. The purpose of Mind Training (Lojong) is to develop Bodhicitta, the Mind intent on attaining Buddhahood for the benefit of others. Without Bodhicitta, Buddhahood is not possible. In this context, there is Ultimate Bodhicitta arising from the experience of Emptiness through Shamatha and Special Insight Meditation and Relative Bodhicitta which is Compassion developed through practicing Sending and Taking (Tonglen).
In this class we will use the Eight Verses of Mind Training of Kadam Geshé Langri Tangpa which are a very approachable set of verses which contain all the essential principles of Mind Training. This will be a practice-oriented study of the Eight Verses and the practice of Tonglen as central components of Mind Training Practice. There will be a brief introduction to Mind Training and the Eight Verses and we will discuss their meaning with emphasis on the practice of Tonglen and Calm-Abiding/Insight Meditation as components of Lojong. We will use a daily practice within which to provide personal continuity to this most essential practice.
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 15 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 produces many of the practice texts used at Sakya Monastery.