Difference between revisions of "Blessing"
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| + | '''[[Blessing]]''' (Skt. ''[[adhiṣṭhāna]]''; Tib. ''[[chinlap]]''; [[Wyl.]] ''[[byin brlabs]]'' or ''[[byin gyis brlabs]]'') — in ''[[The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying]]'', the true meaning of [[blessing]] is defined as “a [[transformation]] in which your [[mind]] transcends into the state of the [[absolute]].” | ||
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| + | [[His Holiness]] the [[Dalai Lama]] defines ‘[[blessing]]’ in his commentary on the second part of [[Kamalashila]]’s ''[[Stages of Meditation]]'': | ||
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| + | :The [[Tibetan]] [[word]] for [[blessing]], ''[[chin lap]]'', can be broken into two parts—''chin'' means ’magnificent potential’ and ''lap'' means ‘to [[transform]]’. So chin lap means ‘[[transforming]] into magnificent potential.’ Therefore, [[blessing]] refers to the development of [[virtuous]] qualities that you did not previously have and the improvement of those good qualities that you have already developed. It also means {{Wiki|decreasing}} the [[defilements]] of the [[mind]] that obstruct the generation of [[wholesome]] qualities. So actual [[blessing]] is received when the [[mind’s]] [[virtuous]] [[attributes]] gain strength and its defective [[characteristics]] weaken or deteriorate. | ||
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| + | ==Alternative Translations== | ||
| + | *inspiration ([[Berzin]]) | ||
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| + | ==See Also== | ||
| + | *[[four kinds of blessing]] | ||
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| + | ==External Links== | ||
| + | *[http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/archives/advanced/tantra/level1_getting_started/inspiration_relation_mantras.html?query=blessing An essay on 'Inspiration (“Blessings”) and Its Relation to Mantras and Oral Transmission', Alexander Berzin, December 2008] | ||
| + | {{RigpaWiki}} | ||
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| + | {{NewSourceBreak}} | ||
[[Blessing]] (Tib.: [[jin lap]]): as a technical term - a supplementary [[initiation]] into a specific [[deity yoga]] based on having already received a major [[empowerment]]. For example - [[Vajrayogini]] [[initiation]] is a '[[Blessing]]' based on the [[Chakrasamvara]] or [[Hevajra]] [[empowerments]]. An {{Wiki|individual}} must receive the [[empowerment]] first before receiving the '[[Blessing]]' [[initiation]]. | [[Blessing]] (Tib.: [[jin lap]]): as a technical term - a supplementary [[initiation]] into a specific [[deity yoga]] based on having already received a major [[empowerment]]. For example - [[Vajrayogini]] [[initiation]] is a '[[Blessing]]' based on the [[Chakrasamvara]] or [[Hevajra]] [[empowerments]]. An {{Wiki|individual}} must receive the [[empowerment]] first before receiving the '[[Blessing]]' [[initiation]]. | ||
| − | A [[blessing]] ([[maṅgala]]) is a protective power usually imparted by repeating certain words, sprinkling special [[water]], being touched with {{Wiki|holy}} [[objects]] or by certain hand gestures. The [[Buddha]] was {{Wiki|sceptical}} of the efficacy of this type of [[blessing]]. As with other issues, he taught that the best way to acquire ‘[[blessings]],’ ‘[[protection]]’ or ‘[[good luck]]’ is to be [[virtuous]], honest and kind. In the famous {{Wiki|Discourse}} on [[Blessing]], the [[Maṅgala Sutta]], from the [[Sutta Nipāta]], he said: ‘[[Generosity]], being just, supporting one’s family and acting blamelessly, this is the greatest [[blessing]]. Disapproving of and rejecting [[evil]], refraining from [[alcohol]], watching one’s own [[mind]], this is the greatest [[blessing]]. Reverence, humility, [[contentment]], [[gratitude]] and listening to the [[Dhamma]] from [[time]] to [[time]], this is the greatest [[blessing]].’ (Sn.263-5). | + | A [[blessing]] ([[maṅgala]]) is a protective power usually imparted by repeating certain words, sprinkling special [[water]], being touched with {{Wiki|holy}} [[objects]] or by certain hand gestures. The [[Buddha]] was {{Wiki|sceptical}} of the efficacy of this type of [[blessing]]. As with other issues, he taught that the best way to acquire ‘[[blessings]],’ ‘[[protection]]’ or ‘[[good luck]]’ is to be [[virtuous]], honest and kind. In the famous {{Wiki|Discourse}} on [[Blessing]], the [[Maṅgala Sutta]], from the [[Sutta Nipāta]], he said: ‘[[Generosity]], being just, supporting one’s family and acting blamelessly, this is the greatest [[blessing]]. Disapproving of and rejecting [[evil]], refraining from [[alcohol]], watching one’s own [[mind]], this is the greatest [[blessing]]. Reverence, {{Wiki|humility}}, [[contentment]], [[gratitude]] and listening to the [[Dhamma]] from [[time]] to [[time]], this is the greatest [[blessing]].’ (Sn.263-5). |
Life’s [[Highest]] [[Blessings]], R.L.Soni, 1987. | Life’s [[Highest]] [[Blessings]], R.L.Soni, 1987. | ||
Revision as of 17:46, 1 February 2014
Blessing (Skt. adhiṣṭhāna; Tib. chinlap; Wyl. byin brlabs or byin gyis brlabs) — in The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, the true meaning of blessing is defined as “a transformation in which your mind transcends into the state of the absolute.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama defines ‘blessing’ in his commentary on the second part of Kamalashila’s Stages of Meditation:
- The Tibetan word for blessing, chin lap, can be broken into two parts—chin means ’magnificent potential’ and lap means ‘to transform’. So chin lap means ‘transforming into magnificent potential.’ Therefore, blessing refers to the development of virtuous qualities that you did not previously have and the improvement of those good qualities that you have already developed. It also means decreasing the defilements of the mind that obstruct the generation of wholesome qualities. So actual blessing is received when the mind’s virtuous attributes gain strength and its defective characteristics weaken or deteriorate.
Alternative Translations
- inspiration (Berzin)
See Also
External Links
Source
Blessing (Tib.: jin lap): as a technical term - a supplementary initiation into a specific deity yoga based on having already received a major empowerment. For example - Vajrayogini initiation is a 'Blessing' based on the Chakrasamvara or Hevajra empowerments. An individual must receive the empowerment first before receiving the 'Blessing' initiation.
A blessing (maṅgala) is a protective power usually imparted by repeating certain words, sprinkling special water, being touched with holy objects or by certain hand gestures. The Buddha was sceptical of the efficacy of this type of blessing. As with other issues, he taught that the best way to acquire ‘blessings,’ ‘protection’ or ‘good luck’ is to be virtuous, honest and kind. In the famous Discourse on Blessing, the Maṅgala Sutta, from the Sutta Nipāta, he said: ‘Generosity, being just, supporting one’s family and acting blamelessly, this is the greatest blessing. Disapproving of and rejecting evil, refraining from alcohol, watching one’s own mind, this is the greatest blessing. Reverence, humility, contentment, gratitude and listening to the Dhamma from time to time, this is the greatest blessing.’ (Sn.263-5).
Life’s Highest Blessings, R.L.Soni, 1987.
