The Awakening Mind, Volume 4: The Foundation of Buddhist Thought by Geshe Tashi Tsering

Author:Geshe Tashi Tsering [Tsering, Geshe Tashi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Psychology, General, Spirituality, Rituals & Practice, Tibetan, Religion, Emotions, Buddhism
ISBN: 9780861715107
Publisher: Wisdom Publications
Published: 2008-08-05T01:56:21+00:00

The Combination of the Two Methods

Both the practices of seven points of cause and effect and equalizing and exchanging oneself with others originally came from India. Chandrakirti, Kamalashila, and Asanga wrote on the seven points of cause and effect, whereas masters such as Nagarjuna and Shantideva used equalizing and exchanging oneself with others while hardly mentioning the seven points. In a sense these were two separate lineages.

When Atisha came to Tibet, he taught both methods together. However, there is no written record available by him combining the two methods, nor are there clear instructions from other masters such as Lama Tsongkhapa. It was only much later that teachers wrote explicitly on how the two methods could be combined.

Which of the three methods we use is our choice and depends more on its suitability to each individual practitioner than on which is superior. For many of us, both of the more traditional methods present difficulties. Perhaps starting with the seven points does not allow us to reach bodhichitta, whereas starting with equalizing does not work because it is unable to trigger the emotional commitment needed. This is where combining the two methods can be quite skillful.

In combining the two methods, there are different systems, but I will use the eleven-step method explained by Pabonka Rinpoche in Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand.45 The steps that combine these two techniques are:

1. generating equanimity (prerequisite to both methods)

2. recognizing all beings as having been one’s mother (seven point)

3. recollecting their kindness (seven point)

4. resolving to repay that kindness (seven point)

5. equalizing oneself with others (equalizing and exchanging)

6. reflecting on the disadvantages of the self-cherishing thought (equalizing and exchanging)

7. reflecting on the advantages of the thought cherishing others (equalizing and exchanging)

8. taking, involving concentration on compassion (both methods)

9. giving, involving concentration on love (both methods)

10. developing special intention (seven point)

11. generating the mind of enlightenment (the result—seven point)

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