Lojong was originally brought to Tibet by an Indian Buddhist teacher named Atisha. It is a mind training practice in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and is based on a set of aphorisms formulated in Tibet in the 12th century by Geshe Chekhawa. The practice involves refining and purifying one’s motivations and attitudes.

The 59 proverbs that form the root text of the mind training practice are designed as a set of antidotes to undesired mental habits that cause suffering.

Point One: The preliminaries, which are the basis for dharma practice

Slogan 1. First, train in the preliminaries; The Four Reminders or alternatively called The Four Thoughts

1. Maintain an awareness of the preciousness of human life.
2. Be aware of the reality that life ends; death comes for everyone; Impermanence.
3. Recall that whatever you do, whether virtuous or not, has a result; Karma.
4. Contemplate that as long as you are too focused on self-importance and too caught up in thinking about how you are good or…

Unwholesome Acts

Of the Body: Killing, Stealing, Sexual Misconduct

Of Speech: Lying, Sowing Discord, Harsh Speech, Idle Chatter

Of Mind: Covetousness, Malice, Holding and Justifying Wrong Views

Wholesome Acts

The Ten Perfections: Generosity, Morality, Patience, Effort, Concentration, Discernment, Aspiration, Skillful Means, Wisdom, Power

The Four Ways of Gathering: Kindness, Encouragement, Instruction, Example