Compassion: The Key To Great Awakening

This is an inspiring piece of work I stumbled upon at the Central Public Library over a week ago. It is written by Geshe Tsultim Gveltsen, a Tibetan Monk and now a teacher who holds the Lharampa Geshe degree. A degree similar to to a doctorate in the Tibetan Buddhist Monastic University System.

It is a thought training exercise with an excellent background on Dharma, Karma, Samsara and some of the other preliminaries required for the Bodhisattva practice.

The 8 root verses were what shed the most light for me. I paused on the sixth verse two days ago. My mind required some time to process the readings. An awakening is already occurring within me and I've began the process of meditating on these experiences.

I find these verses to be profound yet simple teachings that go with the flow of mother nature. The commentaries on the root text helps break down the meaning and reason for the practices. It may seem after reading these verses that these teachings require one to live as a monk or move to a monastery. I don't believe that is required. We are not all meant for the monastic life.

I believe the goals should be incorporate compassion in our daily existence with the people we already interact with. In my experience, even doing something as little as making eye-contact with the sincere intention to connect on a higher level, begins this connection.


Here are the 8 Root Verses.

Verse One
By thinking of all sentient beings
as even better than the wish-granting gem
for accomplishing the highest aim
may I always consider them precious.

Verse Two
Wherever I go, with whomever I go
may I see myself as less than all others,
and from the depth of my heart
may I consider them supremely precious

Verse Three
May I examine my mind in all actions
and as soon as a negative state occurs,
since it endangers myself and others,
may I firmly face and avert it.

Verse Four
When I see beings of a negative disposition
or those oppressed by negativity or pain,
may I, as if finding a treasure,
consider them precious, for they are rarely met.

Verse Five
Whenever others, due to their jealousy,
revile and treat me in other unfair ways,
may I accept this defeat myself,
and offer the victory to others

Verse Six
When someone whom I have helped
or in whom I have placed great hope
harms me with great injustice
may I see that one as a sacred friend

Verse Seven
In short, may I offer both directly and indirectly
all joy and benefit to all beings, my mothers,
and may I myself secretly take on
all of their hurt and suffering

Verse Eight
May they not be defiled by the concepts
of the eight mundane concerns
and aware that all things are illusory
may they, ungrasping, be free from bondage.