by Jakob Leschly
The 59 slogans of Lojong practice are found in numerous contexts. This particular sheet features the translation of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and the design is created by the students of the Ven. Traleg Kyabgön. Slogan practice is an extension of studying and reflecting on the Seven Points of Mind Training. Placing this sheet where we regularly see it, is a highly efficient method for recollecting the great vision of the bodhisattva path in our ordinary life.
While the entire Buddhist path is dedicated to ending delusion, and as such renouncing samsara, the Mahayana path is distinguished by the bodhisattva’s renunciation of nirvana as well. As long as there are suffering sentient beings, the bodhisattva will not rest. Some of us may be inspired to travel the great path of the bodhisattvas, and the Tibetan Mahayana traditions have numerous profound teachings on how to generate such awakened courage. The Indian Buddhist master Atisha Dipamkara who came to Tibet in the 11th century, particularly promoted this path of Lojong and it spread throughout all the Buddhist traditions of Tibet. These are highly practical methods, and lie at the core of Mahayana Buddhist view and practice.
Lojong, or training of the mind, has two aspects – absolute and relative bodhicitta. The first – absolute bodhicitta – is cultivating the greatness of awakening in meditation; the other – relative bodhicitta – is cultivated through joining greatness of awakening with our post-meditation life.
While meditation cultivates absolute bodhicitta by freeing us from the grasp of thoughts, the lojong path of relative bodhicitta skilfully accommodates the dualistic habits of the ordinary post-meditation intellect, yet purifies it of the narrow attitudes that invite suffering. This pro-active engagement of our own psychology brings our entire existence on to the path of awakening. As the lineage masters point out, when the brilliance of the slogans dawn on us, they come to us by themselves. Situations themselves remind us of the slogans and provide the sounding board for our path. As such we do not exclude our path from our ordinary life and our interaction with the world. The slogans ideally should be memorised, but even if we can’t do that, we should invite them to be part of the thoughts that occupy us throughout life.
For a Full Explanation of these 59 Slogans please read;
Enlightened Courage by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
Published by Shechen Publications
Lojong Slogans Image from Kagyu E-vam
