Gaden Choling Mahayana Buddhist Meditation Centre

LOJONG ('thought transformation') is a lineage of spiritual training from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. First brought to Tibet by the great 11th master Atisha, lojong was transmitted secretly from teacher to student for centuries. A core practice of various Tibetan traditions, lojong teaches profound methods with which to incorporate all one's experiences into one's training in love, compassion, bodhicitta (the aspiration for enlightenment on behalf of others) and wisdom recognizing ultimate truth. For reasons of maintaining the continuity of this tradition, many lojong texts were composed centuries ago, and many wonderful commentaries were written elaborating on the formal practice of lojong meditation practices, as well as pithy advice for continuing one's training during everyday life outside of meditation.

In anticipation of Zasep Rinpoche Bagshaa's teachings on lojong this coming November, this short series will introduce some of the key meditation practices, topics and texts of this tradition. In particular, the '8 Verses of Thought Transformation' and the 'Wheel of Sharp Weapons' will be referred throughout the course. Instruction in related meditation practices (which can easily be inorporated into a daily practice) will be explored as part of each session.

These lojong classes are part of our regular Dharma Study Program series, held on Thursdays, but this set of classes will begin earlier, starting at 7:00pm. Rinpoche is planning to offer a short lojong retreat on November 7-8 when he is in Toronto this November, and attending these classes will help you to get the most out of that event.

Schedule

• Oct 1 - Atisha and the history of lojong. Introduction to analytical and placement meditation (Matt King)
• Oct 8 - Giving and Taking -- a transformative meditative practice (Ann Gelsheimer)
• Oct 15 - Love and Compassion (Matt King)
• Oct 22 - Equalizing Self and Others (Matt King)
• Oct 29 - Ultimate Bodhicitta (Matt King) MOVED TO TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd, AT 7PM!!

Useful Resources

• The Wheel of Sharp Weapons - Root text, by Dharmarakshita (apparently from this translation by Alexander Berzin and Sharpa Tulku).
• Eight Verses for Training the Mind - Root text, by Geshe Langri Tangpa (translation info is undetermined).
• The Seven Point Mind Training - Root text, as enumerated by Pabongka Rinpoche (translation info is undetermined).