How to Benefit Beings by Patrul Rinpoche [4]

Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, a professor of Tibetan Buddhism in the Nyingma Lineage, offers essential teachings on Patrul Rinpoche’s criteria for benefitting beings in this series of four retreat videos. Patrul Rinpoche (1808-1887) was a great master in the Nyingma Lineage. He was considered an emanation of Shantideva and venerated in Tibet for his profound teachings on "A Guide to the Way of the Bodhisattva’s Life.” Each video ends with a guided meditation: 1) analytical meditation to investigate your own commitment to benefit others; 2) meditation on exchanging one’s own body for another’s body to develop compassion; 3) single-pointed meditation to develop meditative concentration with awareness; and 4) recitation of bodhicitta prayers by Shantideva (685-763), the great bodhisattva from India. The complete text of Patrul Rinpoche’s "Nine Considerations and Criteria for Benefiting Beings” may found at Lotsawa House. Bodhicitta Prayers | by Shantideva May all beings everywhere, Plagued by sufferings of body and mind, Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy By virtue of my merits. May no living creature suffer, Commit evil or ever fall ill. May no one be afraid or belittled, With a mind weighed down by depression. May the blind see forms And the deaf hear sounds. May those whose bodies are worn with toil Be restored on finding repose. May the naked find clothing, The hungry find food. May the thirsty find water And delicious drinks. May the poor find wealth, Those weak with sorrow find joy. May the forlorn find hope, Constant happiness and prosperity. May there be timely rains And bountiful harvests. May all medicines be effective And wholesome prayers bear fruit. May all who are sick and ill Quickly be freed from their ailments. Whatever diseases there are in the world, May they never occur again. May the frightened cease to be afraid And those bound be freed. May the powerless find power And may people think of benefiting each other. For as long as space exists, For as long as beings endure, Until then, may I too remain, To dispel the suffering of all beings." Please visit our website to learn more about Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, his teachings and for practice texts. This episode can be seen on Youtube.