Protecting the body, voice & mind of all beings
Keep up to date with new material on the website to support us all at this time of turbulence.
Various translations are (being) done.
James suggests that reading the prayers and aspirations in Radiant Aspiration: The Butterlamp Prayer Lamp of Aspiration could be very useful at this time.
In particular The Sutra of the Story of the Lamp of King Golden Hand and his Aspiration is an important way of generating merit for those who are sick and dying.
Putting the other first is at the heart of Mahayana practice and develops both wisdom and kindness. The book is printed in English, German, Polish and Spanish. You can buy it from Amazons, apart from the Polish version which you need to order from Wojciech Czajkowski at info [at] kuntuzangpo [dot] net.
Refuge Bodhicitta and Prostrations
Being in lockdown can be hard and the isolation difficult. It is always important to remember the power of taking refuge whereby we open ourselves up to the protection of the Enlightened Ones. In Tibet one of the most widely known and used general refuge and bodhicitta verse is the 4-line one attached here.
The physical activity of doing prostrations and chanting can give support and help you get a direct physical sense of refuge. The prostration instructions written by CR Lama. They can be applied as you chant the 4-line refuge and bodhicitta verse. If you choose to do this you should aim to synchronise one complete full prostration with one recitation of the 4-line verse.
No ‘lung’ is necessary for doing this practice. You can do as many as you feel able to but traditionally we do at least three. Accumulating numbers is not likely to be very helpful so focus on being present with the meaning.