This weekend, in the leafy setting of Regent’s Park, London, students of dharma gathered from across the UK and beyond to receive further teachings on Sakya Pandita’s important text on the correct practice of each of the three vehicles taught by the Buddha.
Lama Jampa began by reminding us that all of us who follow Tibetan Buddhism believe that Buddha taught a graduated path comprising of three systems of practice. Each of these put together form a coherent path culminating in Buddhahood.
Earlier parts of the text (taught previously in both Bristol and London) covered the hinayana, with its focus on restraint from causing harm to oneself or others via the moral discipline of either lay person or monastic, and the common mahayana. The latter path begins with the formal commitment to practise the path to buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings and comprises the moral discipline of the bodhisattva.
For yesterday’s teachings Lama Jampa began the longest section of the text in which Sakya Pandita focusses on the clarification of the vajrayana, or uncommon mahayana, path. As such, once the moral disciplines of the hinayana and bodhisattva path are adhered to, for practitioners of the Tibetan systems this is the key section to understand.
As well as highlighting common mistaken understandings and practices, the text shows clearly exactly why such things are mistaken and will not help practitioners to achieve their declared aim. In so doing the text, and in particular Lama Jampa’s wise and skilful presentation of it, helps us to develop a better understating of how and why the great vajrayana path taught by Lord Buddha works. In this way receipt and study of the text help us to develop strong faith and commitment in a world where such things are often misunderstood and undervalued.
In the afternoon Lama Jampa gave the blessing initiation of Marichi (Tip: Ozer Chenma), a goddess whose practice helps one to pacify and protect one from ones enemies.
Lama finished the day with an exhortation to all those present to try to study the text.
The next part of this text will be bestowed in Bristol in the new year.