Determined to obtain the greatest possible benefit from all sentient beings, who are more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel, I shall hold them most dear at all times.
– Geshe Langri Tangpa
Reflections On ‘The Eight Verses Of Thought Transformation’ (Part 1 of 8):
第一颂：恒怀珍爱
我于一切有情众，
视之尤胜如意宝，
愿成满彼究竟利，
恒常心怀珍爱情。
– 朗日塘巴尊者
《修心八颂》
The First Verse: Constant Embrace [And] Cherishing
I, relying [upon] all sentient beings,
see [them to be more] outstanding [and] superior [than] wish-fulfilling gems,
aspire [to] become complete [with] them [for the] ultimate benefit,
[by] constantly [having the] mind [that] embraces [and] cherishes them.
– Venerable Langri Tangpa
(Eight Verses [For] Cultivation [Of The] Mind)
Notes:The greatest possible benefit is attainment of the True Happiness of Buddhahood. We can attain Buddhahood ‘through’ all beings, as it is by offering them what brings them the greatest possible benefit, that we can attain it.
What brings the greatest benefit to all is the Dharma, that we can offer with our learning, practice and sharing. While the Dharma brings about the greatest benefit, as it leads all to Buddhahood, Dharma practice towards Buddhahood requires us to guide all beings with the Dharma.
All beings are more precious than a worldly wish-fulfilling jewel as it can only fulfil material wishes, while it is ‘through’ all beings as above, that we can all attain Buddhahood. Thus, we should always see them as the most precious ones.
See the Second Verse next week
Related Articles:
The Eight Verses Of Thought Transformation
https://www.lamayeshe.com/article/eight-verses-thought-transformation
Commentary On The Eight Verses Of Thought Transformation
https://www.lamayeshe.com/article/commentary-eight-verses-thought-transformation
Mind-training (Lojong) root text by Kadampa Geshe Langri Tangpa (1054–1123)
Translated (in prose form) by Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche (1980)
Lightly edited by Ven. Constance Miller (1997)
Retranslated (in verse form from Chinese) with basic notes by editor (2018)
