Lojong

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Lojong is a mind training practice in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. There are 59 proverbs, or slogans, which are broken down into seven points for training. They are designed to expand our minds toward bodhicitta (the desire to become enlightened or awakened); which in essence is a return to our natural state that we experienced prior to birth. This is something I am exploring and will over time write a post about each. To begin though, these are the 59 slogans:

ONE: The preliminaries, which are the basis for dharma practice

1. First, train in the preliminaries.

TWO: The main practice, which is training in bodhicitta Absolute Bodhicitta

1. Regard all dharmas as dreams.

2. Examine the nature of unborn awareness.

3. Self-liberate even the antidote.

4. Rest in the nature of alaya, the essence.

5. In postmeditation, be a child of illusion.

Relative Bodhicitta

1. Sending and taking should be practiced alternately. These two should ride the breath.

2. Three objects, three poisons, three roots of virtue.

3. In all activities, train with slogans.

4. Begin the sequence of sending and taking with yourself.

THREE: Transformation of Bad Circumstances into the Way of Enlightenment

1. When the world is filled with evil, transform all mishaps into the path of bodhi.

2. Drive all blames into one.

3. Be grateful to everyone.

4. Seeing confusion as the four kayas is unsurpassable shunyata protection.

5. Four practices are the best of methods.

6. Whatever you meet unexpectedly, join with meditation.

FOUR: Showing the Utilization of Practice in One's Whole Life

1. Practice the five strengths, the condensed heart instructions.

2. The mahayana instruction for ejection of consciousness at death is the five strengths: how you conduct yourself is important.

FIVE: Evaluation of Mind Training

1. All dharma agrees at one point.

2. Of the two witnesses, hold the principal one.

3. Always maintain only a joyful mind.

4. If you can practice even when distracted, you are well trained.

SIX: Disciplines of Mind Training

1. Always abide by the three basic principles.

2. Change your attitude, but remain neutral.

3. Don't talk about injured limbs.

4. Don't ponder others.

5. Work with the greatest defilements first.

6. Abandon any hope of fruition.

7. Abandon poisonous food.

8. Don't be so predictable.

9. Don't malign others.

10. Don't wait in ambush.

11. Don't bring things to a painful point.

12. Don't transfer the ox's load to the cow.

13. Don't try to be the fastest.

14. Don't act with a twist.

15. Don't make gods into demons.

16. Don't seek others' pain as the limbs of your own happiness.

SEVEN: Guidelines of Mind Training

1. All activities should be done with one intention.

2. Correct all wrongs with one intention.

3. Two activities: one at the beginning, one at the end.

4. Whichever of the two occurs, be patient.

5. Observe these two, even at the risk of your life.

6. Train in the three difficulties.

7. Take on the three principal causes.

8. Pay heed that the three never wane.

9. Keep the three inseparable.

10. Train without bias in all areas. It is crucial always to do this pervasively and wholeheartedly.

11. Always meditate on whatever provokes resentment.

12. Don't be swayed by external circumstances.

13. This time, practice the main points.

14. Don't misinterpret.

15. Don't vacillate.

16. Train wholeheartedly.

17. Liberate yourself by examining and analyzing.

18. Don't wallow in self-pity.

19. Don't be jealous.

20. Don't be frivolous.

21. Don't expect applause.

Reference: Tricylce.com