The Eight Verses of Thought Transformation is one of the most important texts from a genre of Tibetan spiritual writings known as lojong (mind training). This root text was written by the eleventh-century meditator Langri Tangpa Dorje Senghe (1054-1123), via the profound text, Eight Verses of Thought Transformation. Geshe Langri Thangpa was a disciple of Potowa Rinchen Sal (1027-1105), one of the three main students of Dromtönpa. Potowa’s two main students were Geshe Sharawa Yönten Drak, who possessed the vast vision of the Dharma, and Geshe Langri Thangpa, who had mastery over bodhicitta; these two were known as the sun and moon in Tibet.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama refers to this work as one of the main sources of his own inspiration and includes it in his daily meditations. This English translation is by Lama Zopa Rinpoche, and includes the Tibetan phonetics. Geshe Sherab received the oral transmission of the Eight Verses from Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Verses one through seven of the text point out seven skillful methods for developing bodhicitta mind (relative bodhicitta); verse eight points out the wisdom of recognizing the illusionary nature of reality (ultimate bodhicitta).

Teachings on the eight verses will alternate with sessions of guided meditation on 1) meditation on equanimity, 2) meditation on mindfulness and awareness, 3) meditation on letting go of self-grasping and appreciating the kindness of others, and 4) meditation on tonglen (taking and giving) by sending the kind mind of bodhicitta via the breath to suffering beings.

Geshe Thubten Sherab was born in a small village in the western part of Nepal to a Kagyu-Nyingma family.. He entered Kopan Monastery at the age of nine and completed his Geshe studies at the famous Sera Je monastery in South India, followed by a year at Gyumed Tantric College.

He then completed retreat and teaching assignments in the United States and Asia. Since then, Geshe Sherab has Hi served the Foundation for Preservation of Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) in several roles. For the last few years, Geshe-la has been traveling and teaching at FPMT centers in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Asia, and Europe, while also serving as resident teacher at Thubten Norbu Ling in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Geshela has a unique gift of presenting often complex Buddhist topics in a simple, warm and accessible manner. He has much experience with Western students, which helps him to explain Dharma to us in a practical and applicable way.

Geshela says : “I believe Geshes need to think about how to benefit more people, whether they are Buddhist or not. My view is that it doesn’t matter whether people follow the traditional way of practicing or even if they are Buddhist. There are so many good aspects of the Dharma that we can share with them. We sincerely need to respect all other religious traditions, not just with our mouths, but with our hearts. We have His Holiness the Dalai Lama as an example of how to treat other religions with respect.

“We also need to understand Western culture and psychology so that we, as Geshes, can be more effective and bring more benefit. However, we should not take too many liberties in changing the traditional ways of doing things, just because it doesn’t suit the Westerners’ way or because they don’t like it. We should always think of the long-term benefit as opposed to simply short-term results.

“For beginners in the Dharma, the most important thing is to try and integrate one’s study and practice. Some are only into studying, they focus only on the intellectual. They have knowledge like a computer, but this knowledge never really touches the heart. This kind of individual becomes very arrogant and tends to look down on other people with less learning.

“Then there are also people who do no study, thinking that all they need to do is practice. But how can you practice if you haven’t studied? Study is crucial. Without study, the wrong teacher can easily misguide, take advantage of, and exploit students. Of course, I would emphasize this is my own personal view and I do not mean to imply criticism of anyone.

My final request of my students is to integrate study and practice together, which has always been the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and of Lama Zopa Rinpoche.”