The text turns to training the mind on the stages of the path of advanced level practitioners. Part of a series of teachings on the Gomchen Lamrim by Gomchen Ngawang Drakpa.
- Discussion of the last three hindrances to concentration
- Not becoming attached to good qualities of calm-abiding
- Understanding how the fundamental vehicle relates to the universal vehicle
- How to relate to non-Buddhist texts
- When it is appropriate to not attend teachings
Gomchen Lamrim 97: Auxiliary Bodhisattva Ethical Restraints 25-34 (download)
97 The Gomchen Lamrim: Auxiliary Bodhisattva Ethical Restraints No. 25-34 07-07-17
Contemplation points
Venerable Chodron continued the commentary on the bodhisattva ethical code. Consider them one by one, in light of the commentary given. For each, consider:
- What happens if you let your mind go in the direction that the precept is guiding you to avoid? What are the disadvantages and problems of NOT keeping this precept?
- What are the antidotes that can be applied when you are tempted to act or think contrary to the precept?
- Why is this precept so important to the bodhisattva path? How does breaking it harm yourself and others? How does keeping it benefit yourself and others?
- Resolve to be mindful of the precept in your daily life.
Precepts covered this week:
To eliminate obstacles to the far-reaching practice of meditative stabilization, abandon:
- Auxiliary Precept #25: Not abandoning the five obscurations which hinder meditative stabilization: excitement and regret, harmful thought, sleep and dullness, desire, and doubt.
- Auxiliary Precept #26: Seeing the good qualities of the taste of meditative stabilization and becoming attached to it.
To eliminate obstacles to the far-reaching practice of wisdom, abandon:
- Auxiliary Precept #27: Abandoning the scriptures or paths of the Fundamental Vehicle as unnecessary for one following the Mahayana.
- Auxiliary Precept #28: Exerting effort principally in another system of practice while neglecting the one you already have, the Mahayana.
- Auxiliary Precept #29: Without a good reason, exerting effort to learn or practice the treatises of non-Buddhists which are not proper objects of your endeavor.
- Auxiliary Precept #30: Beginning to favor and take delight in the treatises of non-Buddhists although studying them for a good reason.
- Auxiliary Precept #31: Abandoning any part of the Mahayana by thinking it is uninteresting or unpleasant.
- Auxiliary Precept #32: Praising yourself or belittling others because of pride, anger, and so on.
- Auxiliary Precept #33: Not going to Dharma gatherings or teachings.
- Auxiliary Precept #34: Despising the Spiritual Mentor or the meaning of the teachings and relying instead on their mere words; that is, if a teacher does not express him/herself well, not trying to understand the meaning of what he/she says, but criticizing.