The Dharma of Compassion

In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, we say that all actions undertaken during this lunar month are multiplied 100,000 times. Therefore, we mindfully engage in activities that we would like to develop as "better habits", and attempt to do good for others.

The following is an example of a tsog offering – an essential part of the Vajrayana practice, which enables us to move beyond the dualistic mindset.

Tsog offerings are made in our tradition on the 8th and 25th day of the lunar month, therefore Monday will be a Tsog Offering day. During the practice of tsog, one attempts to relax the body and mind, and even relax one’s speech. Releasing our bodies and speech brings us closer to the realisation of fundamental wisdom.

The tsog offering is very important for renewing commitments and averting obstacles. A tsog is an assembly of Heroes and Heroines (Daka and Dakini  in Tibetan). We offer the tsog offering to the Field for Accumulating Merit, which includes the entire assembly of Heroes and Heroines.

When we make a tsog offering we should regard both those to whom the offering is made, and those who are making the offering, including ourselves,  as Heroes and Heroines. The great 8th-century Buddhist scholar and Madhyamaka adherent, Shantideva said that a real Hero or Heroine is someone who has destroyed their self-cherishing mind, has conquered their delusions, and has developed the courage to help many living beings.

I encourage you to listen to this beautifully recorded tsog puja on Monday, so that even those who have not received the higher tantric empowerments can accumulate the merit and some significant benefits in this first month of the New Year.

Namasté

khenpo gurudas sunyatananda

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“Chenrezig, Treasure of Objectless Compassion;
Manjushri, Lord of Stainless Wisdom;
Vajrapani, Destroyer of all adversarial forces;
O Je Tsong Khapa – Losang Drakpa —
Crown Jewel of the Sages of the Land of Snows,
Humbly at Your Lotus Feet I ask your blessing.”

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Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Khenpo Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project. He can be reached at: http://dharmadudeunplugged.com

Copyright ©2008, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.