In this session Sangye Khadro shares profound insights into the practice of Tonglen, a Buddhist meditation technique outlined in verse seven of the eight verses of thought transformation.
Tonglen involves cultivating compassion for others, embracing their suffering, and reciprocating with happiness.
Sangye Khadro navigates the complexities of this practice, acknowledging its challenges while offering guidance for beginners to start with small steps, focusing on the suffering of one individual.
Drawing from her own experiences, Sangye Khadro recounts moments where she applied Tonglen, such as empathizing with the distress of a crying baby, aiming to transcend self-centeredness and nurture love, compassion, and joy.
She emphasizes that Tonglen doesn’t entail literal absorption of another’s suffering but rather the cultivation of a mindset oriented toward alleviating it.
Furthermore, she advocates for practicing Tonglen during personal trials, viewing them as opportunities for growth and empathy.
Sangye Khadro extends the discussion to the acceptance of one’s suffering with the noble intent of mitigating others’ pain, a practice originating from Tibetan Kadampa Masters.
She underscores the importance of discretion in this practice, emphasizing humility over ostentation.
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In the practice of Tonglen, one alternates between sending and taking, exchanging the self with others.
These actions should be synchronized with the breath, serving as a form of training in altruism.
The purpose of this practice is to diminish selfish attachment, cultivate a sense of renunciation, cleanse karma through giving and aiding others, and nurture loving-kindness and bodhicitta.
Tonglen encompasses all Six Perfections – giving, ethics, patience, joyous effort, concentration, and wisdom – which are essential practices for a Bodhisattva.