Twenty-Seven Verses on Training the Mind

“Twenty-Seven Verses on Training the Mind” was composed by Lama Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419 A.D.). The following translation is taken from the book Mother of the Buddhas: Meditations on the Prajnaparamita Sutra by Lex Hixon (Wheaton, IL: The Theosophical Publishing House, 1993). 

Tsongkhapa came to be regarded by millions of followers over the centuries as a living incarnation of the bodhisattva Manjushri (Robert A. F. Thurman, Jay Tsong Khapa Professor on Indo-Tibetan Studies, Columbia University).

The richness of meaning in these verses will be savoured if they are read contemplatively. For example, try to capture the feeling of each line and to allow it to become real for you. In this way, we can bring ourselves to a new, more enlightened state. 

May these words of great wisdom, written by an enlightened teacher and great Tibetan genius, create within you the awareness of receiving a direct transmission, as you concentrate on the verses (focusing on their thoughts and feeling).

The twenty-seven verses are presented as follows: 

  • Verses 1-3   
  • Verses 4-6   
  • Verse3 7-9   
  • Verses 10-12   
  • Verses 13-15   
  • Verses 16-18   
  • Verses 19-21   
  • Verses 22-24   
  • Verses 25-27  

In summary, this profound teaching is a most exquisite and enlightened transmission of mind training (Mahayana lojong teaching)—it is a literal gem of Dharma. Every single word and sentence in this teaching is deep, rich, and vibrantly alive, fully transmitting the absolute heart-essence of Dharma. Just reading the words of this amazing teaching opens the heart and mind into greater compassion and kindness.

Source: Used with permission from https://sourcepointglobaloutreach.org/what-we-offer/