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Difference between revisions of "Embodiment of devotion through guru yoga"

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Afternoon. Thank you for joining us today. I’m going to talk about a key term in Indian and Tibetan Buddhist literature. The Tibetan term mos gus for devotion is a compound of mos pa (Skt. adhimukta, adhimokśa) –Mos pa can be translated as belief,  
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Afternoon. Thank you for joining us today. I’m going to talk about a key term in [[Indian]] and [[Tibetan Buddhist]] {{Wiki|literature}}. The [[Tibetan]] term [[mos gus]] for [[devotion]] is a compound of [[mos pa]] (Skt. [[adhimukta]], adhimokśa) –[[Mos pa]] can be translated as [[belief]],  
  
imagination, faith, interest, or inclined towards – and gus pa (Skt. ādara, gaurava) – translated as respect, devotion, humility, or to be intent on.  The Abhidharma – a significant influence on all Tibetan Buddhist traditions – categorizes mos pa as a mental state, (Skt. caitt) whereas gus pa is not part of that list but  we can infer that whatever is gus-ing is focused on the object. We may then infer that mos gus or devotion  is a mental state that focuses on something.  
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[[imagination]], [[faith]], [[interest]], or inclined towards – and [[gus pa]] (Skt. ādara, [[gaurava]]) – translated as [[respect]], [[devotion]], [[humility]], or to be intent on.  The [[Abhidharma]] – a significant influence on all [[Tibetan Buddhist traditions]] – categorizes [[mos pa]] as a [[mental state]], (Skt. caitt) whereas [[gus pa]] is not part of that list but  we can infer that whatever is gus-ing is focused on the [[object]]. We may then infer that [[mos gus]] or [[devotion]] is a [[mental state]] that focuses on something.  
  
One specific focus that receives noticeable attention in the rNyingma tradition is the teacher (Skt. guru, Tib. bla ma). Patrul Rinpoche (rdza dpal sprul o rgyan ‘jigs med chos kyi dbang po, 1808 – 1887) states “in order to practice true Dharma, it is of great importance to find an authentic spiritual friend, a teacher who has all the necessary qualifications.”  A direct student of  
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One specific focus that receives noticeable [[attention]] in the rNyingma [[tradition]] is the [[teacher]] (Skt. [[guru]], Tib. [[bla ma]]). [[Patrul Rinpoche]] ([[rdza dpal sprul o rgyan ‘jigs med chos kyi dbang po]], 1808 – 1887) states “in order to practice true [[Dharma]], it is of great importance to find an [[Wikipedia:Authenticity|authentic]] [[spiritual friend]], a [[teacher]] who has all the necessary qualifications.”  A direct [[student]] of  
  
Patrul Rinpoche, the Third Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpai Nyima echoes his teacher’s sentiments in his Instructions for Practicing Guru Yoga (bla ma'i rnal 'byor nyams len khrid yig).  The Third Dodrupchen says that, “the delighted lama is the actual accomplishment” meaning that the accomplishment of the secret mantra path relies upon a teacher.  
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[[Patrul Rinpoche]], the [[Third Dodrupchen]] [[Jigme Tenpai Nyima]] echoes his [[teacher’s]] sentiments in his Instructions for Practicing [[Guru Yoga]] ([[bla ma'i rnal 'byor]] [[nyams]] len [[khrid yig]]).  The [[Third Dodrupchen]] says that, “the [[delighted]] [[lama]] is the actual [[accomplishment]]” meaning that the [[accomplishment]] of the [[secret mantra]] [[path]] relies upon a [[teacher]].  
  
It is called Guru Yoga (Tib. la ma’i rnal ‘byor) and is a meditation practice that is included in within the foundational practices (sngon ‘dro), which are a preparation for later rNyingma tantric (rgyud) and dzogchen (rdzogs chen) practices. Briefly, guru yoga  
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It is called [[Guru Yoga]] (Tib. la ma’i rnal ‘byor) and is a [[meditation practice]] that is included in within the foundational practices (sngon ‘[[dro]]), which are a preparation for later rNyingma [[tantric]] (rgyud) and [[dzogchen]] ([[rdzogs chen]]) practices. Briefly, [[guru yoga]]
  
engages the mind so that you initially perceive your teacher as the Buddha and eventually perceive yourself as a Buddha. Anne Klein writes that “all these inner foundational practices are forms of deity yoga: they all provide opportunities to unify with the  
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engages the [[mind]] so that you initially {{Wiki|perceive}} your [[teacher]] as the [[Buddha]] and eventually {{Wiki|perceive}} yourself as a [[Buddha]]. Anne Klein writes that “all these inner foundational practices are [[forms]] of [[deity yoga]]: they all provide opportunities to unify with the  
  
enlightened mind of the Buddha-deity.”  Patrul Rinpoche, Third Dodrupchen, and other rNyingma teachers who write on guru yoga explain that this particular meditation allows one to ‘realize absolute truth,’  or ‘attain the bhūmi of unexcelled wisdom.’  
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[[enlightened mind]] of the Buddha-deity.”  [[Patrul Rinpoche]], [[Third Dodrupchen]], and other rNyingma [[teachers]] who write on [[guru yoga]] explain that this particular [[meditation]] allows one to ‘realize [[absolute truth]],’  or ‘attain the [[bhūmi]] of unexcelled [[wisdom]].’  
  
  
Yet practicing guru with a focus on your a teacher is not sufficient, and the Third Dodrupchen, along with other rNyingma lineage holders, stress the that this practice must be conjoined with devotion in guru yoga.  So far, I have not found significant  
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Yet practicing [[guru]] with a focus on your a [[teacher]] is not sufficient, and the [[Third Dodrupchen]], along with other rNyingma [[lineage holders]], [[stress]] the that this practice must be conjoined with [[devotion]] in [[guru yoga]].  So far, I have not found significant  
  
explanations in guru yoga texts themselves for the reason why one must have devotion, which might implicate that devotion is so culturally widespread. Dr. Klein explains in Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse that devotion coupled with guru yoga develops  
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explanations in [[guru yoga]] texts themselves for the [[reason]] why one must have [[devotion]], which might implicate that [[devotion]] is so culturally widespread. Dr. Klein explains in [[Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse]] that [[devotion]] coupled with [[guru yoga]] develops  
  
effortlessness, a crucial quality for dzogchen practitioners.  
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effortlessness, a crucial [[quality]] for [[dzogchen]] practitioners.  
  
  
What is the relationship between guru yoga and the cultivation of devotion (mos gus) in this tantric meditation practice?  I have found that looking at this question in the contest of what Lawrence Barsalou calls grounded cognition  can help us understand some of the underpinnings of how guru yoga facilitates the devotion, that  rNyingma Tibetan tradition finds necessary for  
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What is the relationship between [[guru yoga]] and the [[cultivation]] of [[devotion]] ([[mos gus]]) in this [[tantric meditation]] practice?  I have found that [[looking at]] this question in the contest of what Lawrence Barsalou calls grounded [[cognition]] can help us understand some of the underpinnings of how [[guru yoga]] facilitates the [[devotion]], that  rNyingma [[Tibetan tradition]] finds necessary for  
  
transformation. Following this, I explore one of the Third Dodrupchen’s guru yoga texts called Instructions for Practicing Guru Yoga as a thread to discuss the cultivation of devotion in guru yoga. Other than my own translation, this text has not been translated into English.  I contextualize the Third Dodrupchen’s text with other rNying ma masters such as Patrul Rinpoche and commentary on Patrul Rinpoche’s text by Khetsun Sangpo  to provide a network of nuances to our understanding of how devotion is cultivated in guru yoga.  
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[[transformation]]. Following this, I explore one of the Third [[Dodrupchen’s]] [[guru yoga]] texts called Instructions for Practicing [[Guru Yoga]] as a thread to discuss the [[cultivation]] of [[devotion]] in [[guru yoga]]. Other than my [[own]] translation, this text has not been translated into English.  I contextualize the Third [[Dodrupchen’s]] text with other [[rNying ma]] [[masters]] such as [[Patrul Rinpoche]] and commentary on [[Patrul Rinpoche’s]] text by [[Khetsun Sangpo]] to provide a network of nuances to our [[understanding]] of how [[devotion]] is cultivated in [[guru yoga]].  
  
  
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The Third Dodrupchen opens his Instructions for Practicing Guru Yoga (bla ma'i rnal 'byor nyams len khrid yig  by clarifying the optimal conditions for successful tantric practice.
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The [[Third Dodrupchen]] opens his Instructions for Practicing [[Guru Yoga]] ([[bla ma'i rnal 'byor]] [[nyams]] len [[khrid yig]] by clarifying the optimal [[conditions]] for successful [[tantric practice]].
 
   
 
   
  
Firstly, he emphasizes that successful practice relies on an ‘authentic’ teacher. He clearly discusses the role of this teacher and the effects of practice when the meditator does not rely on a teacher. An authentic teacher is someone “who has all the necessary  
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Firstly, he emphasizes that successful practice relies on an ‘[[Wikipedia:Authenticity|authentic]]’ [[teacher]]. He clearly discusses the role of this [[teacher]] and the effects of practice when the [[meditator]] does not rely on a [[teacher]]. An [[Wikipedia:Authenticity|authentic]] [[teacher]] is someone “who has all the necessary  
  
qualifications.”  The Third Dodrupchen’s instruction explains, “when the spiritual guide does not teach one merely goes to the higher realms because the actual path is not explained.”  The instructions continue with warnings that reading books that are not  
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qualifications.”  The Third [[Dodrupchen’s]] instruction explains, “when the [[spiritual guide]] does not teach one merely goes to the [[higher realms]] because the actual [[path]] is not explained.”  The instructions continue with warnings that reading [[books]] that are not  
received from the teacher creates ‘hell beings’.  A student practicing tantra is strongly encouraged to accompany her practice with a teacher and the teacher’s instructions. This suggests that the student is unable to guide herself on the tantric path because the  
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received from the [[teacher]] creates ‘[[hell beings]]’.  A [[student]] practicing [[tantra]] is strongly encouraged to accompany her practice with a [[teacher]] and the [[teacher’s]] instructions. This suggests that the [[student]] is unable to guide herself on the [[tantric path]] because the  
 
instructions may be misunderstood or even inappropriate.   
 
instructions may be misunderstood or even inappropriate.   
  
  
Moreover, a student who “merely receives transmission from the teacher” does not have the necessary conditions for the tantric  
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Moreover, a [[student]] who “merely receives [[transmission]] from the [[teacher]]” does not have the necessary [[conditions]] for the [[tantric path]]. The presence of a [[teacher]] is not enough, and the [[Third Dodrupchen]] continues in explaining, “[[tantra]] is the [[path]] of [[blessings]].” While he does not elucidate what he means by ‘[[path]] of [[blessings]],’ he does begin to describe how the [[student]] perceives/feels about  
path. The presence of a teacher is not enough, and the Third Dodrupchen continues in explaining, “tantra is the path of blessings.” While he does not elucidate what he means by ‘path of blessings,’ he does begin to describe how the student perceives/feels about  
 
  
her teacher in that you perceive your teacher as the form of the Buddha from the highest love.  The Third Dodrupchen suggests that a successful practice incorporates a particular attitude towards one’s teacher that allows her to accomplish the tantric path of blessings.
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her [[teacher]] in that you {{Wiki|perceive}} your [[teacher]] as the [[form]] of the [[Buddha]] from the [[highest]] [[love]].  The [[Third Dodrupchen]] suggests that a successful practice incorporates a particular [[attitude]] towards one’s [[teacher]] that allows her to accomplish the [[tantric path]] of [[blessings]].
  
  
This way of pleasing (rab byams) towards one teacher, according to the Third Dodrupchen, is for the practitioner to effortlessly practice the ‘actual accomplishment’ . He later states that the teacher is the ‘actual accomplishment for all practitioners’   
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This way of [[pleasing]] (rab byams) towards one [[teacher]], according to the [[Third Dodrupchen]], is for the [[practitioner]] to effortlessly practice the ‘actual [[accomplishment]]’ . He later states that the [[teacher]] is the ‘actual [[accomplishment]] for all practitioners’   
  
meaning that one is able to actualize ‘absolute truth’ as described by Patrul Rinpoche in Words. Another interpretation is that recognizing your teacher as Guru Rinpoche is to recognize one’s mind nature.  The Third Dodrupchen summarizes the instructions of  
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meaning that one is able to actualize ‘[[absolute truth]]’ as described by [[Patrul Rinpoche]] in Words. Another [[interpretation]] is that [[recognizing]] your [[teacher]] as [[Guru Rinpoche]] is to [[recognize]] one’s [[mind nature]].  The [[Third Dodrupchen]] summarizes the instructions of  
  
guru yoga when he quotes an un-named tantra, “With greatest effort, offer to (your) teacher [who is] a deity. The form bodies that  
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[[guru yoga]] when he quotes an un-named [[tantra]], “With greatest [[effort]], offer to (your) [[teacher]] [who is] a [[deity]]. The [[form bodies]] that  
  
are like suchness, through the cause itself, takes care of the world.”  This quote reflects that the teacher is perceived to be a Buddha for all tantra. A tantric practitioner who correctly? perceives her teacher as a Buddha is on the genuine path and is able to continue to practice because of her devotion.  
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are like [[suchness]], through the [[cause]] itself, takes [[care]] of the [[world]].”  This quote reflects that the [[teacher]] is [[perceived]] to be a [[Buddha]] for all [[tantra]]. A [[tantric practitioner]] who correctly? [[perceives]] her [[teacher]] as a [[Buddha]] is on the genuine [[path]] and is able to continue to practice because of her [[devotion]].  
  
  
The Third Dodrupchen continues to instruct that devotion must be accompanied with perceiving one’s teacher as the Buddha. “From the beginning, when you are delighted with unwavering devotion, which actually perceives your teacher as the Buddha and the ability of  
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The [[Third Dodrupchen]] continues to instruct that [[devotion]] must be accompanied with perceiving one’s [[teacher]] as the [[Buddha]]. “From the beginning, when you are [[delighted]] with unwavering [[devotion]], which actually [[perceives]] your [[teacher]] as the [[Buddha]] and the ability of  
  
the heart…” He continues with stating that one practices guru yoga if devotion does not arise as stated above. So it is a method for devotion as well as a practice that engages devotion.  “It is certainly necessary to practice guru yoga, in which you meditate  
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the [[heart]]…” He continues with stating that one practices [[guru yoga]] if [[devotion]] does not arise as stated above. So it is a method for [[devotion]] as well as a practice that engages [[devotion]].  “It is certainly necessary to practice [[guru yoga]], in which you [[meditate]]
  
through focusing for the sake of the session and the method for [practice] this appears in every old and new kama and terma of the rNying ma tradition.”  This passage makes clear that through guru yoga one cultivates devotion. To explore this, we can now consider a particular type of grounded cognition that helps us clarify the relationship between guru yoga, and devotion, so that we better understand how guru yoga helps cultivates devotion.  
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through focusing for the [[sake]] of the session and the method for [practice] this appears in every old and new [[kama]] and [[terma]] of the [[rNying ma]] [[tradition]].”  This passage makes clear that through [[guru yoga]] one cultivates [[devotion]]. To explore this, we can now consider a particular type of grounded [[cognition]] that helps us clarify the relationship between [[guru yoga]], and [[devotion]], so that we better understand how [[guru yoga]] helps cultivates [[devotion]].  
  
  
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As we have noted, the Third Dodrupchen does not explain how guru yoga cultivates devotion, he simply says that either one has unwavering devotion or that it is necessary to practice guru yoga when devotion does not arise like that. Studies in grounded  
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As we have noted, the [[Third Dodrupchen]] does not explain how [[guru yoga]] cultivates [[devotion]], he simply says that either one has unwavering [[devotion]] or that it is necessary to practice [[guru yoga]] when [[devotion]] does not arise like that. Studies in grounded  
  
cognition explore a relationship between bodily states and conceptual frameworks and we can apply what is learned there to the relationship between guru yoga and devotion. A short introduction to grounded cognition and how it categorizes these elements helps us understand how this can work.  
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[[cognition]] explore a relationship between [[bodily]] states and {{Wiki|conceptual}} frameworks and we can apply what is learned there to the relationship between [[guru yoga]] and [[devotion]]. A short introduction to grounded [[cognition]] and how it categorizes these [[elements]] helps us understand how this can work.  
  
  
Grounded cognition is a concept derived from  in a group of studies that focus on the role of the body in cognition. Lawrence Barsalou in his “Grounded Cognition” defines these studies as “… accounts of grounded cognition [that] focus on roles of the body  
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Grounded [[cognition]] is a {{Wiki|concept}} derived from  in a group of studies that focus on the role of the [[body]] in [[cognition]]. Lawrence Barsalou in his “Grounded [[Cognition]]” defines these studies as “… accounts of grounded [[cognition]] [that] focus on roles of the [[body]]
  
in cognition, based on widespread findings that bodily states can cause cognitive states and be effects of them.”  He notes further that cognition can be grounded in the body, meaning they are affected by the body - in several ways, including simulations,  
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in [[cognition]], based on widespread findings that [[bodily]] states can [[cause]] [[cognitive states]] and be effects of them.”  He notes further that [[cognition]] can be grounded in the [[body]], meaning they are affected by the [[body]] - in several ways, [[including]] simulations,  
  
situated action, and, on occasion, bodily states.  “Simulation is the reenactment of perceptual, motor, and introspective states acquired during experience with the world, body, and mind.”  Situated action “proposes that the environment plays central roles in  
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situated [[action]], and, on occasion, [[bodily]] states.  “Simulation is the reenactment of {{Wiki|perceptual}}, motor, and introspective states acquired during [[experience]] with the [[world]], [[body]], and [[mind]].”  Situated [[action]] “proposes that the {{Wiki|environment}} plays central roles in  
  
shaping cognitive mechanisms.”  Guru yoga is a bodily state as situated action and simulation, which also effects cognition when the practitioner is not actively practicing this meditation.  
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shaping [[Wikipedia:cognition|cognitive]] mechanisms.”  [[Guru yoga]] is a [[bodily]] [[state]] as situated [[action]] and simulation, which also effects [[cognition]] when the [[practitioner]] is not actively practicing this [[meditation]].  
  
  
The bodily state – guru yoga – affects cognition in two ways, which researchers describe as online and offline,  “The term online embodiment, and the related term, situated cognition, refer to the understanding that much cognitive activity is a response to   
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The [[bodily]] [[state]] [[guru yoga]] – affects [[cognition]] in two ways, which researchers describe as online and offline,  “The term online [[embodiment]], and the related term, situated [[cognition]], refer to the [[understanding]] that much [[Wikipedia:cognition|cognitive]] [[activity]] is a response to   
  
real-world environments. Moreover, the environment that surrounds a person during a particular experience plays an influential role on cognition.  Often we think of ‘muscle memory’ in that we want to replicate the motion when we want to recall a specific type of feeling, thought, or memory. This refers to the time when one is doing the action or integrating the attitude or emotion.  
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real-world environments. Moreover, the {{Wiki|environment}} that surrounds a [[person]] during a particular [[experience]] plays an influential role on [[cognition]].  Often we think of ‘muscle [[memory]]’ in that we want to replicate the {{Wiki|motion}} when we want to recall a specific type of [[feeling]], [[thought]], or [[memory]]. This refers to the time when one is doing the [[action]] or integrating the [[attitude]] or [[emotion]].  
  
Therefore, in terms of our discussion, online embodiment is the time spent practicing guru yoga in order to make the connection with devotion.  
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Therefore, in terms of our [[discussion]], online [[embodiment]] is the time spent practicing [[guru yoga]] in order to make the [[connection]] with [[devotion]].  
  
  
Niedenthal et al. state that “offline embodiment refers to just thinking about an object produces embodied states as if the object were actually there.”  Post meditation is in this context an example of offline embodiment” because  the student is not practicing  
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Niedenthal et al. [[state]] that “offline [[embodiment]] refers to just [[thinking]] about an [[object]] produces [[embodied]] states as if the [[object]] were actually there.”  Post [[meditation]] is in this context an example of offline [[embodiment]]” because  the [[student]] is not practicing  
guru yoga but her cognition is still being affected.  
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[[guru yoga]] but her [[cognition]] is still being affected.  
  
  
The cognitive activity that we are concerned with here is devotion. One difficult maneuver between Western science and Tibetan Buddhism is align the different categories of what constitutes an emotion, thought, or feeling because both systems provide  
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The [[Wikipedia:cognition|cognitive]] [[activity]] that we are concerned with here is [[devotion]]. One difficult maneuver between [[Western]] [[science]] and [[Tibetan Buddhism]] is align the different categories of what constitutes an [[emotion]], [[thought]], or [[feeling]] because both systems provide  
  
detailed descriptions. For this paper, I categorize devotion as an abstract concept, which is then further categorized into 1) an attitude, 2) a social perception, or 3) an emotion.  Devotion is an attitude as defined by Niedenthal et al. “Charles Darwin (1904)  
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detailed descriptions. For this paper, I categorize [[devotion]] as an abstract {{Wiki|concept}}, which is then further categorized into 1) an [[attitude]], 2) a {{Wiki|social}} [[perception]], or 3) an [[emotion]][[Devotion]] is an [[attitude]] as defined by Niedenthal et al. “Charles {{Wiki|Darwin}} (1904)  
  
defined attitude as a collection of motor behaviors – especially posture – that convey an organism’s affective response toward an object.”  Attitude is the feeling or posturing that one has towards an object. Devotion, especially for guru yoga and tantra, is the feeling one has towards her teacher and is defined as an attitude.
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defined [[attitude]] as a collection of motor behaviors – especially [[posture]] – that convey an organism’s affective response toward an [[object]].”  [[Attitude]] is the [[feeling]] or posturing that one has towards an [[object]]. [[Devotion]], especially for [[guru yoga]] and [[tantra]], is the [[feeling]] one has towards her [[teacher]] and is defined as an [[attitude]].
 
   
 
   
While the studies presented by Niedenthal et al. do not include devotion or guru yoga, we can carefully, selectively, and without forgetting the different cultural context from which they emerge, apply their findings from other research because guru yoga and  
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While the studies presented by Niedenthal et al. do not include [[devotion]] or [[guru yoga]], we can carefully, selectively, and without {{Wiki|forgetting}} the different {{Wiki|cultural}} context from which they emerge, apply their findings from other research because [[guru yoga]] and  
  
devotion, as suggested by the Third Dodrupchen, fits within similar enough frameworks. In the case of guru yoga, the focus would be the teacher being perceived as a Buddha and later perceptions, which are not addressed in this paper, and the later-reported attitude is devotion.  
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[[devotion]], as suggested by the [[Third Dodrupchen]], fits within similar enough frameworks. In the case of [[guru yoga]], the focus would be the [[teacher]] being [[perceived]] as a [[Buddha]] and later [[perceptions]], which are not addressed in this paper, and the later-reported [[attitude]] is [[devotion]].  
  
  
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The Third Dodrupchen explains that unwavering devotion allows one to perceive her teacher as the actual Buddha, or you can cultivate devotion through guru yoga. This attitude is the basis of accomplishing the tantric path. Additionally, Patrül Rinpoche  
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The [[Third Dodrupchen]] explains that unwavering [[devotion]] allows one to {{Wiki|perceive}} her [[teacher]] as the actual [[Buddha]], or you can cultivate [[devotion]] through [[guru yoga]]. This [[attitude]] is the basis of accomplishing the [[tantric path]]. Additionally, [[Patrül Rinpoche]]
  
in Instructions on the Preliminaries to the Great Perfection Teaching Called ‘Heart Essence of Vast Openness’, the Sacred Word of Lama Gun-sang says that “unless you have faith in him (the endowed lama) and a sense of his pure appearance, the ultimate cannot be  
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in Instructions on the Preliminaries to the [[Great Perfection Teaching]] Called ‘[[Heart Essence]] of Vast [[Openness]]’, the [[Sacred]] [[Word]] of [[Lama]] Gun-sang says that “unless you have [[faith]] in him (the endowed [[lama]]) and a [[sense]] of his [[pure appearance]], the [[Wikipedia:Absolute (philosophy)|ultimate]] cannot be  
  
cognized.”  Guru yoga cultivates devotion when someone lacks this unwavering devotion through reminding the student to generate devotion to her lama such as, “with the thought that Guru Rin-bo-chay is the very essence of the compassion and blessings of all  
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[[Wikipedia:Cognition|cognized]].”  [[Guru yoga]] cultivates [[devotion]] when someone lacks this unwavering [[devotion]] through reminding the [[student]] to generate [[devotion]] to her [[lama]] such as, “with the [[thought]] that [[Guru]] Rin-bo-chay is the very [[essence]] of the [[compassion]] and [[blessings]] of all  
  
Buddhas, request his empowerment with such strong feeling that your hairs stir.” .Another example found in Patrul Rinpoche’s instructions is “this prayer requesting Guru Rin-bo-chay’s blessed empowerment should arise not just from your mouth but from the  
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[[Buddhas]], request his [[empowerment]] with such strong [[feeling]] that your hairs stir.” .Another example found in [[Patrul Rinpoche’s]] instructions is “this [[prayer]] requesting [[Guru]] Rin-bo-chay’s blessed [[empowerment]] should arise not just from your {{Wiki|mouth}} but from the  
  
orb of the heart itself.”  So far, I have not found extensive instructions on how to generate devotion in the practice but the simple statement as stated above. Yet, if we apply how situated bodily action is able to affect the attitude of devotion, we  
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orb of the [[heart]] itself.”  So far, I have not found extensive instructions on how to generate [[devotion]] in the practice but the simple statement as stated above. Yet, if we apply how situated [[bodily action]] is able to affect the [[attitude]] of [[devotion]], we  
  
understand that guru yoga continually changes one’s attitude not only during but after the time the practice itself. Perhaps the continuous cultivation of devotion allows for the gradual transformation from tantra to dzogchen.   
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understand that [[guru yoga]] continually changes one’s [[attitude]] not only during but after the time the practice itself. Perhaps the continuous [[cultivation]] of [[devotion]] allows for the [[gradual]] [[transformation]] from [[tantra]] to [[dzogchen]].   
 
 
The body’s role in guru yoga allows for the meditator to affiliate a particular attitude, devotion, with situated action: imagination, subtle body, and sense perceptions. Studies in grounded cognition as explained by Barsalou and Niedenthal et al. apply  
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The body’s role in [[guru yoga]] allows for the [[meditator]] to affiliate a particular [[attitude]], [[devotion]], with situated [[action]]: [[imagination]], [[subtle body]], and [[sense perceptions]]. Studies in grounded [[cognition]] as explained by Barsalou and Niedenthal et al. apply  
  
to the devotion, at least as understood in Western terms, can be cultivated partly through bodily engagement. And indeed, through guru yoga because it is an embodied practice, that is different which the practitioner affiliates devotion towards her teacher and particular bodily practices. Afterwards, the practitioner’s devotion continues to evolve because the practitioner thinks about her lama and devotion arises.
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to the [[devotion]], at least as understood in [[Western]] terms, can be cultivated partly through [[bodily]] engagement. And indeed, through [[guru yoga]] because it is an [[embodied]] practice, that is different which the [[practitioner]] affiliates [[devotion]] towards her [[teacher]] and particular [[bodily]] practices. Afterwards, the practitioner’s [[devotion]] continues to evolve because the [[practitioner]] [[thinks]] about her [[lama]] and [[devotion]] arises.
  
 
   
 
   
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The Third Dodrupchen explains that either one has devotion, which allows one to perceive her teacher as the Buddha or one practices guru yoga to cultivation devotion. Guru yoga allows for a relationship between student and teacher to deepen because it cultivates  
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The [[Third Dodrupchen]] explains that either one has [[devotion]], which allows one to {{Wiki|perceive}} her [[teacher]] as the [[Buddha]] or one practices [[guru yoga]] to [[cultivation]] [[devotion]]. [[Guru yoga]] allows for a relationship between [[student]] and [[teacher]] to deepen because it cultivates  
  
devotion in the student but also the practice greatly benefits from devotion itself. Like a good friendship or falling in love, there is reciprocation between the student’s devotion and the meditation practice – the student has a little bit of devotion, practices guru yoga, more devotion develops, and the practice cultivates a particular fruition in the student.  
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[[devotion]] in the [[student]] but also the practice greatly benefits from [[devotion]] itself. Like a good [[friendship]] or falling in [[love]], there is reciprocation between the student’s [[devotion]] and the [[meditation practice]] – the [[student]] has a little bit of [[devotion]], practices [[guru yoga]], more [[devotion]] develops, and the practice cultivates a particular [[fruition]] in the [[student]].  
 
 
Guru yoga has this power of transforming experience—both somatic and cognitive, in which we see reflected in the Third Dodrupchen  
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[[Guru yoga]] has this power of [[transforming]] experience—both somatic and [[Wikipedia:cognition|cognitive]], in which we see reflected in the [[Third Dodrupchen]]
  
and Patrul Rinpoche’s instructions such as offering with one’s heart or request empowerments from your teachers with the feeling that your hairs stir. The practice also continues to affect the practitioner between meditations so we may infer that one continuously cultivates devotion, even when not practicing guru yoga.   
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and [[Patrul Rinpoche’s]] instructions such as [[offering]] with one’s [[heart]] or request [[empowerments]] from your [[teachers]] with the [[feeling]] that your hairs stir. The practice also continues to affect the [[practitioner]] between [[meditations]] so we may infer that one continuously cultivates [[devotion]], even when not practicing [[guru yoga]].   
 
   
 
   
  

Latest revision as of 14:25, 10 November 2021

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Afternoon. Thank you for joining us today. I’m going to talk about a key term in Indian and Tibetan Buddhist literature. The Tibetan term mos gus for devotion is a compound of mos pa (Skt. adhimukta, adhimokśa) –Mos pa can be translated as belief,

imagination, faith, interest, or inclined towards – and gus pa (Skt. ādara, gaurava) – translated as respect, devotion, humility, or to be intent on. The Abhidharma – a significant influence on all Tibetan Buddhist traditions – categorizes mos pa as a mental state, (Skt. caitt) whereas gus pa is not part of that list but we can infer that whatever is gus-ing is focused on the object. We may then infer that mos gus or devotion is a mental state that focuses on something.

One specific focus that receives noticeable attention in the rNyingma tradition is the teacher (Skt. guru, Tib. bla ma). Patrul Rinpoche (rdza dpal sprul o rgyan ‘jigs med chos kyi dbang po, 1808 – 1887) states “in order to practice true Dharma, it is of great importance to find an authentic spiritual friend, a teacher who has all the necessary qualifications.” A direct student of

Patrul Rinpoche, the Third Dodrupchen Jigme Tenpai Nyima echoes his teacher’s sentiments in his Instructions for Practicing Guru Yoga (bla ma'i rnal 'byor nyams len khrid yig). The Third Dodrupchen says that, “the delighted lama is the actual accomplishment” meaning that the accomplishment of the secret mantra path relies upon a teacher.

It is called Guru Yoga (Tib. la ma’i rnal ‘byor) and is a meditation practice that is included in within the foundational practices (sngon ‘dro), which are a preparation for later rNyingma tantric (rgyud) and dzogchen (rdzogs chen) practices. Briefly, guru yoga

engages the mind so that you initially perceive your teacher as the Buddha and eventually perceive yourself as a Buddha. Anne Klein writes that “all these inner foundational practices are forms of deity yoga: they all provide opportunities to unify with the

enlightened mind of the Buddha-deity.” Patrul Rinpoche, Third Dodrupchen, and other rNyingma teachers who write on guru yoga explain that this particular meditation allows one to ‘realize absolute truth,’ or ‘attain the bhūmi of unexcelled wisdom.’


Yet practicing guru with a focus on your a teacher is not sufficient, and the Third Dodrupchen, along with other rNyingma lineage holders, stress the that this practice must be conjoined with devotion in guru yoga. So far, I have not found significant

explanations in guru yoga texts themselves for the reason why one must have devotion, which might implicate that devotion is so culturally widespread. Dr. Klein explains in Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse that devotion coupled with guru yoga develops

effortlessness, a crucial quality for dzogchen practitioners.


What is the relationship between guru yoga and the cultivation of devotion (mos gus) in this tantric meditation practice? I have found that looking at this question in the contest of what Lawrence Barsalou calls grounded cognition can help us understand some of the underpinnings of how guru yoga facilitates the devotion, that rNyingma Tibetan tradition finds necessary for

transformation. Following this, I explore one of the Third Dodrupchen’s guru yoga texts called Instructions for Practicing Guru Yoga as a thread to discuss the cultivation of devotion in guru yoga. Other than my own translation, this text has not been translated into English. I contextualize the Third Dodrupchen’s text with other rNying ma masters such as Patrul Rinpoche and commentary on Patrul Rinpoche’s text by Khetsun Sangpo to provide a network of nuances to our understanding of how devotion is cultivated in guru yoga.


The Third Dodrupchen Jigmé Tenpai Nyima’s Instructions for Practicing Guru Yoga

The Third Dodrupchen opens his Instructions for Practicing Guru Yoga (bla ma'i rnal 'byor nyams len khrid yig by clarifying the optimal conditions for successful tantric practice.


Firstly, he emphasizes that successful practice relies on an ‘authenticteacher. He clearly discusses the role of this teacher and the effects of practice when the meditator does not rely on a teacher. An authentic teacher is someone “who has all the necessary

qualifications.” The Third Dodrupchen’s instruction explains, “when the spiritual guide does not teach one merely goes to the higher realms because the actual path is not explained.” The instructions continue with warnings that reading books that are not received from the teacher creates ‘hell beings’. A student practicing tantra is strongly encouraged to accompany her practice with a teacher and the teacher’s instructions. This suggests that the student is unable to guide herself on the tantric path because the instructions may be misunderstood or even inappropriate.


Moreover, a student who “merely receives transmission from the teacher” does not have the necessary conditions for the tantric path. The presence of a teacher is not enough, and the Third Dodrupchen continues in explaining, “tantra is the path of blessings.” While he does not elucidate what he means by ‘path of blessings,’ he does begin to describe how the student perceives/feels about

her teacher in that you perceive your teacher as the form of the Buddha from the highest love. The Third Dodrupchen suggests that a successful practice incorporates a particular attitude towards one’s teacher that allows her to accomplish the tantric path of blessings.


This way of pleasing (rab byams) towards one teacher, according to the Third Dodrupchen, is for the practitioner to effortlessly practice the ‘actual accomplishment’ . He later states that the teacher is the ‘actual accomplishment for all practitioners’

meaning that one is able to actualize ‘absolute truth’ as described by Patrul Rinpoche in Words. Another interpretation is that recognizing your teacher as Guru Rinpoche is to recognize one’s mind nature. The Third Dodrupchen summarizes the instructions of

guru yoga when he quotes an un-named tantra, “With greatest effort, offer to (your) teacher [who is] a deity. The form bodies that

are like suchness, through the cause itself, takes care of the world.” This quote reflects that the teacher is perceived to be a Buddha for all tantra. A tantric practitioner who correctly? perceives her teacher as a Buddha is on the genuine path and is able to continue to practice because of her devotion.


The Third Dodrupchen continues to instruct that devotion must be accompanied with perceiving one’s teacher as the Buddha. “From the beginning, when you are delighted with unwavering devotion, which actually perceives your teacher as the Buddha and the ability of

the heart…” He continues with stating that one practices guru yoga if devotion does not arise as stated above. So it is a method for devotion as well as a practice that engages devotion. “It is certainly necessary to practice guru yoga, in which you meditate

through focusing for the sake of the session and the method for [practice] this appears in every old and new kama and terma of the rNying ma tradition.” This passage makes clear that through guru yoga one cultivates devotion. To explore this, we can now consider a particular type of grounded cognition that helps us clarify the relationship between guru yoga, and devotion, so that we better understand how guru yoga helps cultivates devotion.


Merging Tantra with Grounded Cognition

As we have noted, the Third Dodrupchen does not explain how guru yoga cultivates devotion, he simply says that either one has unwavering devotion or that it is necessary to practice guru yoga when devotion does not arise like that. Studies in grounded

cognition explore a relationship between bodily states and conceptual frameworks and we can apply what is learned there to the relationship between guru yoga and devotion. A short introduction to grounded cognition and how it categorizes these elements helps us understand how this can work.


Grounded cognition is a concept derived from in a group of studies that focus on the role of the body in cognition. Lawrence Barsalou in his “Grounded Cognition” defines these studies as “… accounts of grounded cognition [that] focus on roles of the body

in cognition, based on widespread findings that bodily states can cause cognitive states and be effects of them.” He notes further that cognition can be grounded in the body, meaning they are affected by the body - in several ways, including simulations,

situated action, and, on occasion, bodily states. “Simulation is the reenactment of perceptual, motor, and introspective states acquired during experience with the world, body, and mind.” Situated action “proposes that the environment plays central roles in

shaping cognitive mechanisms.” Guru yoga is a bodily state as situated action and simulation, which also effects cognition when the practitioner is not actively practicing this meditation.


The bodily stateguru yoga – affects cognition in two ways, which researchers describe as online and offline, “The term online embodiment, and the related term, situated cognition, refer to the understanding that much cognitive activity is a response to

real-world environments. Moreover, the environment that surrounds a person during a particular experience plays an influential role on cognition. Often we think of ‘muscle memory’ in that we want to replicate the motion when we want to recall a specific type of feeling, thought, or memory. This refers to the time when one is doing the action or integrating the attitude or emotion.

Therefore, in terms of our discussion, online embodiment is the time spent practicing guru yoga in order to make the connection with devotion.


Niedenthal et al. state that “offline embodiment refers to just thinking about an object produces embodied states as if the object were actually there.” Post meditation is in this context an example of offline embodiment” because the student is not practicing guru yoga but her cognition is still being affected.


The cognitive activity that we are concerned with here is devotion. One difficult maneuver between Western science and Tibetan Buddhism is align the different categories of what constitutes an emotion, thought, or feeling because both systems provide

detailed descriptions. For this paper, I categorize devotion as an abstract concept, which is then further categorized into 1) an attitude, 2) a social perception, or 3) an emotion. Devotion is an attitude as defined by Niedenthal et al. “Charles Darwin (1904)

defined attitude as a collection of motor behaviors – especially posture – that convey an organism’s affective response toward an object.” Attitude is the feeling or posturing that one has towards an object. Devotion, especially for guru yoga and tantra, is the feeling one has towards her teacher and is defined as an attitude.

While the studies presented by Niedenthal et al. do not include devotion or guru yoga, we can carefully, selectively, and without forgetting the different cultural context from which they emerge, apply their findings from other research because guru yoga and

devotion, as suggested by the Third Dodrupchen, fits within similar enough frameworks. In the case of guru yoga, the focus would be the teacher being perceived as a Buddha and later perceptions, which are not addressed in this paper, and the later-reported attitude is devotion.


Devotion: Before, During, & After

The Third Dodrupchen explains that unwavering devotion allows one to perceive her teacher as the actual Buddha, or you can cultivate devotion through guru yoga. This attitude is the basis of accomplishing the tantric path. Additionally, Patrül Rinpoche

in Instructions on the Preliminaries to the Great Perfection Teaching Called ‘Heart Essence of Vast Openness’, the Sacred Word of Lama Gun-sang says that “unless you have faith in him (the endowed lama) and a sense of his pure appearance, the ultimate cannot be

cognized.” Guru yoga cultivates devotion when someone lacks this unwavering devotion through reminding the student to generate devotion to her lama such as, “with the thought that Guru Rin-bo-chay is the very essence of the compassion and blessings of all

Buddhas, request his empowerment with such strong feeling that your hairs stir.” .Another example found in Patrul Rinpoche’s instructions is “this prayer requesting Guru Rin-bo-chay’s blessed empowerment should arise not just from your mouth but from the

orb of the heart itself.” So far, I have not found extensive instructions on how to generate devotion in the practice but the simple statement as stated above. Yet, if we apply how situated bodily action is able to affect the attitude of devotion, we

understand that guru yoga continually changes one’s attitude not only during but after the time the practice itself. Perhaps the continuous cultivation of devotion allows for the gradual transformation from tantra to dzogchen.

The body’s role in guru yoga allows for the meditator to affiliate a particular attitude, devotion, with situated action: imagination, subtle body, and sense perceptions. Studies in grounded cognition as explained by Barsalou and Niedenthal et al. apply

to the devotion, at least as understood in Western terms, can be cultivated partly through bodily engagement. And indeed, through guru yoga because it is an embodied practice, that is different which the practitioner affiliates devotion towards her teacher and particular bodily practices. Afterwards, the practitioner’s devotion continues to evolve because the practitioner thinks about her lama and devotion arises.


Conclusion

The Third Dodrupchen explains that either one has devotion, which allows one to perceive her teacher as the Buddha or one practices guru yoga to cultivation devotion. Guru yoga allows for a relationship between student and teacher to deepen because it cultivates

devotion in the student but also the practice greatly benefits from devotion itself. Like a good friendship or falling in love, there is reciprocation between the student’s devotion and the meditation practice – the student has a little bit of devotion, practices guru yoga, more devotion develops, and the practice cultivates a particular fruition in the student.

Guru yoga has this power of transforming experience—both somatic and cognitive, in which we see reflected in the Third Dodrupchen

and Patrul Rinpoche’s instructions such as offering with one’s heart or request empowerments from your teachers with the feeling that your hairs stir. The practice also continues to affect the practitioner between meditations so we may infer that one continuously cultivates devotion, even when not practicing guru yoga.



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