We are one blink of an eye away from being fully awake. How do we help? How do we create a saner world or a saner domestic situation or job situation, wherever we may be? How do we work with our actions and our speech and our minds in a way that opens up the [...]

For the Benefit of All Living beings One’s motivation at the beginning is very important, because whether or not one’s practice becomes successful and effective depends upon the initial motive and attitude. For the development of the right attitude, the practice of refuge and the generation of bodhicitta are vital. Through the practice of the [...]

Bodhichitta and Lojong The renowned Buddhist master Jowo Je Atisha (982–1054) was a sage from India known for bringing the extremely pure Kadampa lineage of Buddhism from India to Tibet nearly one thousand years ago. One thing that made Atisha such a unique and renowned master is that he took the teachings on bodhichitta (Skt. [...]

Pema Chödrön’s Compassion Cards: Teachings for Awakening the Heart in Everyday Life The practice of lojong has been the primary focus of Pema’s teachings and personal practice for many years. Here, you can read an introduction to the 11th-century mind-training practice, the first 20 traditional slogans, and Pema’s commentary. Print them out and display one [...]

What follows is an excerpt from Entry into the Inconceivable: An Introduction to Hua-Yen Buddhism, the basis of which is the Avatamsaka or Flower Ornament Sutra. This is entire work is included in Classics of Buddhism and Zen, Volume Five To appreciate fully the comprehensive scope and detail of the Hua­yen teaching, it is necessary [...]

Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye A Guide for Readers Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Taye (1813–1900) was a versatile and prolific scholar and one of the most outstanding writers and teachers of his time in Tibet. He was a pivotal figure in eastern Tibet’s nonsectarian movement and made major contributions to education, politics, and medicine. Jump to: Books [...]

The following is an excerpt from Training in Compassion: Zen Teachings on the Practice of Lojong By Norman Fischer It is quite counter-intuitive, quite upside down. What it is saying is: whatever happens, don't ever blame anyone or anything else, always blame only yourself. Eat the blame and it will make you strong. There's another [...]

The Practice of Lojong: Cultivating Compassion through Training the Mind, by Traleg Kyabgon The lojong slogans-those fabric-softeners of the heart-have been the focus of much attention in the West the past couple decades, with good reason. They're a particularly effective practice for disciplining the mind in a way that makes compassion bloom. But they're sometimes [...]

Shambhala: How did you first encounter Zen, and what was your introduction to practice like? Norman Fischer: I got involved at first through reading-reading and thinking about my life. This was in the very early days, when there were no Zen centers or practice centers of any kind (at least that I was aware of) [...]

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Learn More We publish over two dozen books by His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. See also: Tsongkhapa: A Guide to His Life and Works | Kalachakra Tantra Reader Guide | Works by the Dalai Lamas | Readers Guide to His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama Other Tibetan Buddhist Traditions: [...]