Lojong

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Lojong (Tibetan: བློ་སྦྱོང་, Wylie: blo sbyong, 'mind training') is a contemplative practice in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition which makes use of various lists of aphorisms or slogans which are used for contemplative practice.[1] The practice involves refining and purifying one's motivations and attitudes. There are various sets of lojong aphorisms; the most widespread text in the Sarma traditions is that of Chekawa Yeshe Dorje (12th century).[2] There is also another set of eight lojong slogans by Langri Tangpa.[3] In the Nyingma tradition, there is a list of seven lojong slogans which are part of the Dzogchen Nyingthig lineage.[4]

Lojong slogans are designed as a set of antidotes to undesired mental habits that cause suffering. They contain both methods to expand one's viewpoint towards absolute or ultimate bodhicitta, such as "Find the consciousness you had before you were born"[5] and "Treat everything you perceive as a dream",[6] and methods for relating to the world in a more constructive way with relative bodhicitta, such as "Be grateful to everyone"[citation needed] and "When everything goes wrong, treat disaster as a way to wake up."[citation needed]

Prominent teachers who have popularized this practice in the West include Pema Chödrön,[7] Ken McLeod, B. Alan Wallace, Chögyam Trungpa, Sogyal Rinpoche, Kelsang Gyatso, Norman Fischer and the 14th Dalai Lama.[8]

  1. ^ Lief, Judy (2 June 2021). "The Why and How of Lojong, or Mind Training - Lions Roar". Retrieved 2023-01-31.
  2. ^ The great path of awakening : an easily accessible introduction for ordinary people : a commentary on the Mahayana teaching of the seven points of mind training. Kong-sprul Blo-gros-mthaʼ-yas, Kenneth J. McLeod (1st ed.). Boston: Shambhala. 1987. pp. 7 ff. ISBN 0-87773-420-8. OCLC 15696046.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. ^ Jigme Lingpa (2016). Steps to the Great Perfection: The Mind-Training Tradition of the Dzogchen Masters, pp. xi-xii. Shambhala Publications.
  4. ^ Jigme Lingpa (2016). Steps to the Great Perfection: The Mind-Training Tradition of the Dzogchen Masters, pp. xii-xiii. Shambhala Publications.
  5. ^ Chödrön, Pema (2017). The compassion book : teachings for awakening the heart. Boulder: Shambhala Publications Inc. pp. 6–7. ISBN 978-1-61180-420-1. OCLC 952546512.
  6. ^ Chödrön, Pema (2017). The compassion book : teachings for awakening the heart. Boulder: Shambhala Publications Inc. pp. 4–5. ISBN 978-1-61180-420-1. OCLC 952546512.
  7. ^ Chödrön, Pema (2007). Always Maintain a Joyful Mind. Boston: Shambhala. ISBN 978-1-59030-460-0.
  8. ^ Dalai Lama (2000). Transforming the Mind: Eight Verses on Generating Compassion and Transforming your Life. Thorsons. ISBN 0-7225-3865-0.