Recensions
Theg pa chen po blo sbyong brgya rtsa (Tibetan Classics)
A collection of mind training texts compiled by Zhönu Gyalchok and Müchen Sempa Chenpo Könchok Gyaltsen; critically edited by the Institute of Tibetan Classics.
Compiled in the fifteenth century, Mind Training: The Great Collection is the earliest anthology of a special genre of Tibetan literature known as "mind training," or lojong in Tibetan. The principal focus of these texts is the systematic cultivation of such altruistic thoughts and emotions as compassion, love, forbearance, and perseverance.
The mind-training teachings are highly revered by the Tibetan people for their pragmatism and down-to-earth advice on coping with the various challenges and hardships that unavoidably characterize everyday human existence. The volume contains forty-four individual texts, including the most important works of the mind training cycle, such as Serlingpa's well-known Leveling Out All Preconceptions, Atisha's Bodhisattva’s Jewel Garland, Langri Thangpa's Eight Verses on Training the Mind, and Chekawa's Seven-Point Mind Training together with the earliest commentaries on these seminal texts. (Source Accessed Apr 30, 2025)Full translations
Advice from a Spiritual Friend
The commentary to the Seven Point Thought Transformation was given by the venerable Geshe Rabten, a holder of the direct oral transmission and an accomplished meditation master from Sera monastic university, formerly near Lhasa in Tibet. He is at present the abbot of Rikon monastery in Switzerland. Geshe Rabten's teaching was translated by the venerable Gonsar Tulku and was given to a group of western disciples in Dharamsala, India, in June, 1973. A translation of this has been prepared in French by Georges Driessens of the "Centre d'etudes Tibetaines", 6 Bd. d'Indochine, 75019, Paris.
The commentary to the Jewel Rosary of an Awakening Warrior was given by the most learned Geshe Ngawang Dhargyey and translated by the venerable Sherpa Tulku. It was given in October, 1973, at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, and is published here with the kind permission of its director, Mr. Gyatsho Tshering.
Book
An Introduction to Buddhism (2018, 14th Dalai Lama)
There is no one more suited to introduce beginners—and remind seasoned practitioners—of the fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism than His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Speaking to an audience of Western students, the Dalai Lama shows us how to apply basic Buddhist principles to our day-to-day lives. Starting with the very foundation of Buddhism, the Four Noble Truths, he provides the framework for understanding the Buddha’s first teachings on suffering, happiness, and peace. He follows with commentary on two of Buddhism’s most profound texts: The Eight Verses on Training the Mind and Atisha’s Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment, often referring to the former as one of his main sources of inspiration for the practice of compassion. With clear, accessible language and the familiar sense of humor that infuses nearly all of his work, the Dalai Lama invites us all to develop innermost awareness, a proper understanding of the nature of reality, and heartfelt compassion for all beings. (Source: Shambhala Publications)
Note: This book was previously published under the title Lighting the Way.
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Eight Verses for Training the Mind (2021)
How do we free ourselves from the demon of self-concern? These instructions are found in Eight Verses for Training the Mind, one of the most important texts from a genre of Tibetan spiritual writings known as lojong (literally "mind training"). The root text was written by the eleventh-century meditator Langritangpa. (Source: Shambhala Publications)
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Eight Verses for Training the Mind (Sodargye 2018)
Khenpo Sodargye Rinpoche’s Commentary on Eight Verses for Training the Mind serves as a down-to-earth guide for all practitioners. It contains precious oral instructions of H. H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, as well as Khenpo Rinpoche’s own experience, quotes and stories from scriptures. This commentary provides specific guidelines for practitioners to implement the eight verses and apply compassion and wisdom in their daily lives. (Source: KhenpoSodargye.org)
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Essential Mind Training (Jinpa 2011)
The key to happiness is not the eradication of all problems but rather the development of a mind capable of transforming any problem into a cause of happiness. Essential Mind Training is full of guidance for cultivating new mental habits for mastering our thoughts and emotions.
This volume contains eighteen individual works selected from Mind Training: The Great Collection, the earliest compilation of mind-training (lojong) literature. The first volume of the historic Tibetan Classics series, Essential Mind Training includes both lesser-known and renowned classics such as Eight Verses on Mind Training and The Seven-Point Mind Training. These texts offer methods for practicing the golden rule of learning to love your neighbor as yourself and are full of practical and down-to-earth advice.
The techniques explained here, by enhancing our capacity for compassion, love, and perseverance, can give us the freedom to embrace the world. (Source: Wisdom Publications)Book
Keys to Great Enlightenment
Keys to Great Enlightenment is based upon two meditation courses given by the Venerable Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen to students of Thubten Dhargye Ling as commentaries to the classical root texts: Eight Verses of Thought Training by Geshe Langri Tangpa and The Thirty-Seven Bodhisattva Practices by the Bodhisattva Togmey Zangpo.
The commentaries were transcribed and revised by Gary Schlageter and Karen Gudmundsson. Under the supervision of Robert Stone, these working texts were then proofread and edited with the help of Pat Aiello, Paul McClelland, Nancy Nason, and others.
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Mind Training: The Great Collection
Compiled in the fifteenth century, Mind Training: The Great Collection is the earliest anthology of a special genre of Tibetan literature known as “mind training,” or lojong in Tibetan. The principal focus of these texts is the systematic cultivation of such altruistic thoughts and emotions as compassion, love, forbearance, and perseverance. The mind-training teachings are highly revered by the Tibetan people for their pragmatism and down-to-earth advice on coping with the various challenges and hardships that unavoidably characterize everyday human existence.
The volume contains forty-four individual texts, including the most important works of the mind training cycle, such as Serlingpa's well-known Leveling Out All Preconceptions, Atisha's Bodhisattva's Jewel Garland, Langri Thangpa's Eight Verses on Training the Mind, and Chekawa's Seven-Point Mind Training together with the earliest commentaries on these seminal texts. An accurate and lyrical translation of these texts, many of which are in metered verse, marks an important contribution to the world's literary heritage, enriching its spiritual resources. (Source: Wisdom Publications)
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Seven Points for Training the Mind
Of the many mind training (lojong) texts that exist, Geshe Chekawa's Seven Points for Training the Mind is one of the most complete. The mind training tradition that developed in Tibet has its source in the words of the great Indian masters Nagarjuna and Shantideva. This particular text expands on the Tibetan master Geshe Langritangpa's Eight Verses from Training the Mind. Although it was written in the twelfth century, Geshe Chekawa's advice is as relevant today as it was then because human nature has remained much the same. The text provides us with the means to transform our attitudes, gain increased mental control, develop a deeper understanding of reality and greater love, compassion and kindness towards other. Remarkably , the commitments and precepts set out by the author act as pertinent guidelines for a less stressful and more harmonious life in today's world. (Source Accessed Jan 31, 2025)
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The Blaze of Non-Dual Bodhicittas (Damdul 2019)
The initial idea for this study, reflection and meditation manual took seed in 2004, when I first started to translate for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I found many of the Nalanda texts frequently taught by His Holiness to be very useful; it occurred to me that a compilation of these in the English language would greatly benefit many seekers who might otherwise lack the opportunity to access them. It is only now, after many years of sharing the working drafts of this manual at Tibet House in New Delhi, as well as in many other places that the idea has finally come to fruition.
The book is divided into five parts:
I. Daily Recitation and Practice
II. Selected Texts for Study, Reflection and Meditation
III. Additional Prayers, Vows and Commitments
IV. Daily Dedication Prayers
V. Appendix
Part I and Part IV serve as a useful guide for all, who have an inclination towards dharma practice, but do not know how to start and design a daily practice session. It is also useful for those seekers who might be misguided and surmise that dharma practice comprises only of mantra recitation and so forth, thereby missing its essence.
Part II helps strengthen the practitioner’s dharma practice on the basis of selected compositions of great scholars and yogis. The actual breakthrough in the mental transformation happens through changes in the thought process, for which study and reflection are the cornerstones. Any of these profound texts and short extracts may be selected for study, reflection or meditation, on an on-going basis.
Part III reinforces and rejuvenates dharma practice and to that end, may be undertaken on a regular or occasional basis.
Part V introduces the reader to meditation practices, both shamatha (calm abiding) and vipasyana (special insight), including meditation on the breath, as well as methods to cultivate Bodhicitta and the wisdom of emptiness. While there are many texts on the wisdom of emptiness, the meditation included here is designed for all those who are not thoroughly introduced to this subject and still want to familiarise and habituate themselves with the wisdom of emptiness.
Brief notes, Endnotes and Glossary have been added to help the readers unfold the meanings of the texts with ease. (preface, xiv–xv)Book
Commentaries
Blo sbyong tshig brgyad ma lo rgyus dang bcas pa
This commentary on Eight Verses on Mind Training is attributed to Chekawa in
the colophon at the end of the text, an attribution that is affirmed by Yeshé Döndrup in Treasury of Gems (p. 513). . . . The somewhat archaic literary style of the text suggests that this is one of the earliest commentaries on an explicit mind training text, if not the earliest. It is possible that Chekawa may have composed the work on the basis of oral teachings received from Langri Thangpa himself, the author of the Eight Verses root text. (Thupten Jinpa, Mind Training: The Great Collection, 613n412)
Text
Commentaries
Eight Verses for Training the Mind (Sodargye 2018)
Khenpo Sodargye Rinpoche’s Commentary on Eight Verses for Training the Mind serves as a down-to-earth guide for all practitioners. It contains precious oral instructions of H. H. Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche, as well as Khenpo Rinpoche’s own experience, quotes and stories from scriptures. This commentary provides specific guidelines for practitioners to implement the eight verses and apply compassion and wisdom in their daily lives. (Source: KhenpoSodargye.org)
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Member of
Blo sbyong brgya rtsa
Theg pa chen po blo sbyong rgya rtsa
Compiled by Shonu Gyalchok (ca. fourteenth-fifteenth centuries) and Konchok Gyaltsen (1388-1469)
Compiled in the fifteenth century, Mind Training: The Great Collection (Theg pa chen po blo sbyong rgya rtsa) represents the earliest anthology of a special genre of Tibetan spiritual literature known simply as "mind training" or lojong in Tibetan. Tibetans revere the mind training tradition for its pragmatic and down-to-earth advice, especially the teachings on "transforming adversities into favorable opportunities." This volume contains forty-three individual texts, including the most important works of the mind training cycle, such as Serlingpa's Leveling out All Conceptions, Atisa's Bodhisattva's Jewel Garland, Langri Thangpa's Eight Verses on Mind Training, and Chekawa's Seven-Point Mind Training, together with the earliest commentaries on these seminal texts as well as other independent works. These texts expound the systematic cultivation of such altruistic thoughts and emotions as compassion, love, forbearance, and perseverance. Central to this discipline are the diverse practices for combating our habitual self-centeredness and the afflictive emotions and way of being that arise from it. (Source: Mind Training: The Great Collection translated by Thupten Jinpa)Text
Teachings
Asanga Vajra Rinpoche: Eight Verses of Training the Mind
Оn March 20, 2022 H.E. Khöndung Asanga Vajra Rinpoche gave teaching and oral transmission of the text “Eight Verses of Training the Mind”.
Event was hosted by Sangchen Norbu Ling (Spain) with translations into Spanish, French and German. Sakya Friends team was authorized to translate the teachings in Sakya Friends ZOOM into Chinese, Vietnamese, Nepali, Mongolian, Hungarian, Russian, Italian and Portuguese.
Teaching was based on the text by Geshe Langri Tangpa (1054–1123): https://www.lotsawahouse.org/tibetan-...
ABOUT ASANGA VAJRA RINPOCHE
His Eminence Khöndung Asanga Vajra Rinpoche is one the heirs of the Throne of Sakya (one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism) and will become His Holiness the Sakya Trizin (throne-holder of Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism) in future.Eight Verses for Training the Mind (2021)
How do we free ourselves from the demon of self-concern? These instructions are found in Eight Verses for Training the Mind, one of the most important texts from a genre of Tibetan spiritual writings known as lojong (literally "mind training"). The root text was written by the eleventh-century meditator Langritangpa. (Source: Shambhala Publications)
Book
Teachings
An Introduction to Buddhism (2018, 14th Dalai Lama)
There is no one more suited to introduce beginners—and remind seasoned practitioners—of the fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism than His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Speaking to an audience of Western students, the Dalai Lama shows us how to apply basic Buddhist principles to our day-to-day lives. Starting with the very foundation of Buddhism, the Four Noble Truths, he provides the framework for understanding the Buddha’s first teachings on suffering, happiness, and peace. He follows with commentary on two of Buddhism’s most profound texts: The Eight Verses on Training the Mind and Atisha’s Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment, often referring to the former as one of his main sources of inspiration for the practice of compassion. With clear, accessible language and the familiar sense of humor that infuses nearly all of his work, the Dalai Lama invites us all to develop innermost awareness, a proper understanding of the nature of reality, and heartfelt compassion for all beings. (Source: Shambhala Publications)
Note: This book was previously published under the title Lighting the Way.
Book
Keys to Great Enlightenment
Keys to Great Enlightenment is based upon two meditation courses given by the Venerable Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen to students of Thubten Dhargye Ling as commentaries to the classical root texts: Eight Verses of Thought Training by Geshe Langri Tangpa and The Thirty-Seven Bodhisattva Practices by the Bodhisattva Togmey Zangpo.
The commentaries were transcribed and revised by Gary Schlageter and Karen Gudmundsson. Under the supervision of Robert Stone, these working texts were then proofread and edited with the help of Pat Aiello, Paul McClelland, Nancy Nason, and others.
Book
Lojong: Training the Mind
In the fall of 1998, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet presented teachings on the famous Eight Verses for Training the Mind in Washington, D.C. at the invitation of the Conservancy for Tibetan Art and Culture. This booklet presents His Holiness's commentary on these simple yet profound verses composed in the 12th century by Geshe Langri Tangpa.
Distilling the essence of the Kadam tradition of Tibetan Buddhism with its emphasis on the practice of mind training, these verses, along with His Holiness's advice, provide practical techniques for eliminating the habit of self-cherishing while fostering a compassionate mind. (Source: Back Cover)
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