The symbolism in the Kalachakra mandala represents a union of opposites, indicative of the harmony needed for establishing world peace.

Understanding the difference between the definitions of these three terms helps us to deconstruct conceptual thoughts that we have.

A comparison of the Vaibhashika, Chittamatra and Prasangika presentations of tainted phenomena, which perpetuate samsara, and untainted ones, which do not extend it.

Tainted and Untainted Appearances We’ve looked at the variables affecting the type of mental holograms that our mental activity gives rise to. These are the variables of “accurate and inaccurate” and “pure and impure” appearances. We’ve seen that these variables refer to both...

Introductory Verses and Verses 1 through 4 Introduction The mind training text, 37 Bodhisattva Practices, was written in Tibet in the fourteenth century by the Sakya master Togme Zangpo. Togme Zangpo was well known as being an actual bodhisattva, and his text is studied by all...

(1) As a Triumphant Ones’ offspring, having firmly gained hold of bodhichitta like this, I’ll strive never to transgress its training, without ever wavering. (2) For something undertaken all of a sudden or something I didn’t examine well, even if I’ve given a promise about...

Is it important not to trivialize the practice of taking safe direction (refuge), since it is a foundational practice that actually implies having knowledge of the Buddhas, Dharma and Sangha that can be discussed on many levels.

Taking the Vows for Those Who Have Not Received Them Previously In order to develop bodhichitta, a primary mental consciousness aimed at enlightenment for the sake of all beings, it is important to take the bodhisattva vows (byang-sems sdom-pa, Skt. bodhicitta-saṃvara,...

Is Ordinary Life Satisfying? What is most important in following the lam-rim graded path is to take it very seriously. To take something seriously doesn’t mean to be grim and not be happy about it or not to joke about it sometimes in the process of studying. It doesn’t mean...

Motivation Many people are here today from various different places, even Tibet, and you have all come for the Dharma purpose of listening to teachings. Therefore, concerning the development of a bodhichitta resolve and so forth, I shall teach here in Bodh Gaya 37 Bodhisattva...