插曲五 何以息苦?大众禅修 之 《佛子行三十七颂》开示–内观和自他交换

我们如何让佛法融入自心,并将所学运用于现实生活?如何超越语言文字,将其付诸实践?在本周日的“大众禅修”中,我们不仅共同回顾了迄今所学的偈颂以及阿阇黎拉帕策林的开示,还继续修行成为勇猛诸菩萨。

当下觉知

在完成开场祈请后,我们一如往常地从止禅(śamatha)的修持开始我们的修习。这种修习可以让我们放下过去已发生的一切,不去预期未来可能发生的事情。

通过建立身、语、意的正确姿态,我们将觉知带入当下时刻。藉此我们可以与内心深处的愿望相应——无一例外地,为了一切众生的利益,追求真正的解脱、安乐与幸福。

在保持上述身心安住状态下,我们专心聆听了迄今所学的《佛子行三十七颂》中每一颂。通过这种方式,我们不仅加深了对偈文的熟悉程度,也能更容易地理解其中义理。

斟酌《佛子行三十七颂》架构与创作目的

依据法本,以及阿阇黎拉帕策林与阿阇黎喇嘛滇巴嘉参的注疏,并结合第十七世大宝法王噶玛巴鄔金欽列多傑于2018年在纽约所传的教法,我们共同探讨了《佛子行三十七颂》的结构及迄今所学所有偈颂的宗旨。以下是修习过程中分享的一张幻灯片,展示了我们所讨论的内容梗概。

Partial overview of Ngulchu Tokmé’s structure of the text and purposes of the verses based on commentary up to verse 14.

超越文字本身

在简要总结的基础上,我们强调了几个要点,并结合噶玛巴法王的教导进行说明。例如,法王提到,有时候人们修行多年,却没有明显的进展迹象。他强调,这主要是因为“他们没有让自己的心与前行修法相融合或深入。”这指的是《佛子行三十七颂》中从第一至第七颂所表达的教诲。法王接着说道:

“我们很容易阅读文字,并且基本理解其意义,但将这些教法应用于现实生活却更加困难,因为这并不像阅读那样简单。生活并不是那样简单明了,因为其中混杂着各种事物——好与坏、是与非交织在一起。由于生活复杂且没有像书本那样明确的界限,我们需要花时间运用我们的分析思维和智慧。生活不是一本开放的书,因此我们需要超越文字本身,观察身边周遭正在发生的事情。”

成为勇猛诸菩萨

更加仔细的阅读第十至十四颂,即阿阇黎拉帕策林上周临近尾声时所讲解的内容,我们进一步思考了将“平等安住”与“后得智慧”两者修行融合的重要性,亦即禅修与后禅修实践的结合。我们也可以将其理解为“座上修”和“座下修”。

正如阿阇黎拉帕策林多次所分享的,法王教导我们,这些偈颂中的表达虽然易于理解,但要将其付诸实践却格外困难。这些偈颂还表明,如果我们想要有效地修行菩萨道,就应该远离对世间八法的执着,不应专注于享乐与痛苦的体验。从这个角度来看,菩萨道的修行确实是困难的:

这需要极大的勇气和信心,而这种勇气与信心并非凭空而来,而是通过渐进的训练培养起来的。并不是因为我们选择了大乘佛法,就能立刻变成勇猛的菩萨。我们必须经历一个严格的训练和学习的过程。”

通过修持自他交换法训练我们的心意识

在《佛子行三十七颂》中,无著贤菩萨提到了自他交换法(Tonglen)修法,阿阇黎拉帕策林和阿阇黎喇嘛滇巴也对此进行了讲解。在我们的修行课程接近尾声时,我们进行了这种修法,作为训练菩提心的一种方式。

简而言之,如果我们看到并感受到所有众生都值得被关爱,因为他们同样寻求幸福而不愿受苦,那么我们便能培养起真正的愿菩提心——愿意牺牲自己的幸福,以减轻他人所遭受的一切痛苦。

通过观想,并借助呼吸的起伏,我们可以深深地与关爱他人的发心相融合,无论是在座上还是座下。这不仅包括我们身边亲近的人,也包括那些我们觉得曾经伤害过我们的人,或者那些我们认为是导致我们曾经或当前所面临不愉快境遇的源头的人。

珍视他人,负其苦难

通过这种方式,我们将所做的一切和所处的每个境遇都融入修行之路,深入训练我们的心意识。我们可以通过问自己一些问题来检查自他交换法的修持:我是否感觉到自己减少了对世间八法的执着?我是否更能承担他人的过错与痛苦?在多大程度上,我能把他人置于比自己更重要的位置?无论进步多么微小,我们都应该寻找进步的迹象,以确保我们的修行是正确的。

在我们本次修行课程结束时,以及每次修持自他交换法时,我们可以如此发愿:“愿我能比珍爱自己更爱惜他人;愿我能代替他们承受其所受之苦。”

在我们回向功德并祝愿大家度过一个美好的一周后,喇嘛尔松诚挚邀请诸位下周日继续聆听阿阇黎拉帕对接下来偈颂的开示,继续修行,成为勇猛诸菩萨。

噶玛巴千诺!

Tibetan Language Class: 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva

Do you wish to get closer to the meaning and feel of the Buddha’s teachings, and/or the compositions and commentaries by the great Tibetan Buddhist masters? One way to do so is to read the original texts in their source language. 

KC16 Tibetan Language Class 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva

This November 17, Karmapa Center 16’s resident teacher, Acharya Lhakpa Tshering, will begin teaching on The Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva during our Sunday Meditation for All. We will also start studying this precious text, written by the great master Ngülchu Thogme Zangpo, in KC16’s Tibetan Language Class, in the original Tibetan. We will study literary Tibetan, grammar, and also the art of translating during this online class.

Why read the Thirty-Seven Practices in Tibetan?

Translating the text into our own mother tongue, or other languages, not only enriches and deepens our understanding and practice of the dharma, it also allows us to share the teachings and offer perspectives to others who do not know Tibetan but wish to get closer to the author’s intent. 

If you are interested in reading The Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva in Tibetan and learning (literary or classical) Tibetan in general, then please join us and register below. This is a continuation of our current class, so some knowledge of Tibetan, or the willingness to study the basics (especially the alphabet and pronunciation), is needed to make the class meaningful for all participants. 

Online Class

The class is online from 7 to 8.30 pm (Central Time, Chicago, US) on Sundays. Recordings are made available to all participants to review or catch up on when you can’t join live. If you have any questions about this class, please write an email to communications@karmapacenter16.org

Thirty-seven points for working with our mind

We look forward to studying Tibetan and this root text that, as Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche points out, “contains thirty-seven key points for working with our mind, first through taming—finding a way to bring the mind home, to a state of calmness and clarity—and then through cultivating the heart of kindness and compassion. It is, in fact, a practical guide on how to follow the path of the bodhisattvas, verse by verse.” 

Let’s travel together on this path of compassion. 

Karmapa Khyenno!

Registration

Making an offering or donation is optional and is not required to register for our Tibetan Language Class: 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva. You can join for free by selecting a ‘free ticket’. If you would like, you can make a donation to support our Stūpa Project. After selecting a ‘free ticket’ or making an offering (of any amount) below, the Zoom link and other practical information will be delivered in a confirmation email.

The passing of Honorable Karma Dhondup, father of His Holiness the 17th Karmapa

His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa’s father, Honorable Karma Dhondup, passed away on Buddha Purnima Day, the 15th day of the Vesak month (May 23, 2024).

According to the Tibetan calendar, Buddha Purnima is called “Düchen Sumdzom,” meeting three special occasions: the day when Buddha Sakyamuni was born, attained enlightenment and passed away into parinivana.

The resident lamas and members of Karmapa Center 16 in Wadsworth, Illinois, will be holding daily prayers and butter lamp offerings through the 49th day

Meditation for All – Every Sunday, Online and Onsite

Since October of last year, our resident teacher, Acharya Lhakpa Tshering, has offered guided meditation and short dharma teachings every Sunday at Karmapa Center 16, and friends in the area have been able to join us onsite.

As everyone is welcome, and no prior experience is needed, Acharya calls the Sunday sessions Meditation for All

We are delighted to announce that beginning January 14, 2024, Acharya’s teaching and the opportunity to practice together, will be offered online, so that Meditation for All will, indeed, be available to all! 

Please join us onsite or online! 

For online access, please register here for the Zoom link. The sessions begin at 10 am and finish at 11:30 am Central Standard Time. Please be sure to log onto Zoom a few minutes before we start. Below, you can find a few other guidelines that will help all of us practice together in the most beneficial way possible.

KC16’s resident teacher – Acharya Lhakpa Tshering. Photo Credit: Gloria Sherab Drolma

We aspire to follow in the footsteps of His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa by offering Meditation for All to everyone and practicing together as he once expressed: 

“I will always exert myself in dharmic recitation, proclamations, and readings. In mind, I will not flutter back and forth like a young bird on a branch. Not getting absorbed in discursive thoughts of good and bad, I will meditate, cultivating forbearance and relying on my own perceptions, not those of others. I will reflect on how best to benefit the teachings and beings.” 


Karmapa Khyenno!

A Reminder to Myself

With your supreme intelligence, you realized the intention
Of the unsurpassable vehicle, the tradition of Padmakara.
Guru of unequalled kindness, I remember you from my heart.
I supplicate you—bless me with your compassion.
I, Pema Trinley Palzang, a performer of three activities,
From now on, will take control of my own discipline in thought and deed.
I make a firm commitment, as follows,
To avoid thoughtlessness and senselessness.

In physical conduct, I will not allow myself to be rootless and hurried,
Incapable of being still, carelessly following my every whim.
I will always hold my own space
And be adorned by the training in pure discipline.

In speech, whether spiritual or secular,
I will choose meaningful words
And shun unconnected talk of past events or boring discussions concerning any of the three times.
I will always exert myself in dharmic recitations, proclamations, and readings.

In mind, I will not flutter back and forth like a young bird on a branch.
Not getting absorbed in discursive thoughts of good and bad,
I will meditate, cultivating forbearance and relying on my own perceptions, not those of others.
I will reflect on how best to benefit the teachings and beings.

In particular, the vital essence of the thought of all victorious ones
Is the true nature—the uncontrived, innate dharmakaya.
Without ever lapsing, I will sustain it with one taste in equipoise and post-meditation.
In sum, I will hold myself to the sublime, dharmic conduct of the three gates,
Not falling under the influence of others.
Arrogance, haughtiness, or thoughts of self- aggrandizement—whatever of these arises,
I will not let them move me in the slightest.
I will remain dignified, and fearless, like a mountain.

Until this collection of elements has rotted away,
I will not waver from this way of being.
Of this way I will be a fearless warrior—that will be my quality.
This is my vow, like an image carved in stone.
May it be virtuous!
Gods and protectors, work to help this come to pass!
May the virtuous signs of auspiciousness excellently blaze!


Composed by the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, the verses were selected by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche and translated by Tyler Dewar under his guidance, from Heart Advice of the Karmapa.

22nd Story Update: A world of gentleness, kindness

Greetings dear friends of KC 16,

As we learned in the previous email, His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, taught extensively and intensively with physical gestures and by his mere presence. In the video below, Don Winchell describes how he also created the environment around him and the way it brought about unexpected transformations. 

A student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Winchell served on the support team for the 16th Karmapa’s 1976 visit to North America.

Don Winchell reflects on the environment around His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa.

Through this delightful example of the enlightened activity of His Holiness, may we all aspire to create a world of gentleness and kindness!

We have received wonderful responses to the stories we’ve posted, and some included a personal experience with the 16th Karmapa. If you’d like to share your memories or photos of His Holiness with us, please send them to: media@karmapacenter16.org.

As always, we offer our heartfelt thanks for your continued interest and support of KC16. May the Center be of great benefit to all beings.

Second Campaign Update: Ani Pema Chödrön’s Story About His Holiness the 16th Karmapa

During this time of the global pandemic of coronavirus, when anxiety and fear are rampant, we are fortunate to be able to connect with the dharma, with our genuine heart of goodness and our wish to benefit beings—no matter what. We have the opportunity to be mindful and aware of our actions, how they affect ourselves and others, and to kindly help stop the spread of the virus (see the CDC page).

We are even more fortunate that we are able to connect with the presence of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, to then slow down and move through the world with aware kindness in a spacious, relaxed state.  

Ani Pema Chödrön* was a close student of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa and in the attached, inspiring video interview (16 minutes), she recalls being in the presence of His Holiness: “It was like he dwelled in this timeless, present state, and you were just drawn right into that.” She shares the impact he had on her life and those of countless others. She also highlights why building the stupa at KC16 is so important to the world. 

Click photo to view video of Ani Pema Chödrön | Mark Elliott, Interviewer | Doug Beechwood, Producer

Many of you realize the importance of the stupa project — in just two weeks, since our official kick off on March 1st, we’ve raised 129,000 USD from 190 donors! We’ve had the support of over 750 social media shares, with nearly 200 followers watching the campaign and actively getting the word out. We are building more momentum by the moment. 

With a joyous heart, we offer great thanks to everyone for your kindness, generosity and support of our cause. Please continue to widely share our campaign with others as that is a huge contribution in itself. 

We hope this week’s KC16 Parinirvana Stupa crowdfunding campaign update, featuring Ani Pema Chödrön, will be of great benefit. See you next week with another update and very special video story celebrating the great life and teachings of His Holiness!

*Ani Pema Chödrön is an American Tibetan Buddhist. She is an ordained nun, former acharya of Shambhala Buddhism and disciple of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. She has written several dozen books and audiobooks, and is principal teacher at Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia, Canada.