Study, Practice & Meditation

The most important thing is the continuity of developing your mind in the lamrim, the stages of the path to enlightenment. It doesn’t matter if you are in Africa, Tibet, on the moon, in Iraq or wherever, whether you are rich or poor: continue to develop your mind in the lamrim. That is the most important thing.”

~ Lama Zopa Rinpoche

The lamrim is a cherished collection of Buddhist teachings that guides practitioners along a complete spiritual path. It encompasses the paths of liberation, the Mahayana and Vajrayana, leading students gradually and progressively toward enlightenment.

Lhagsam Tibetan Meditation seeks to provide a welcoming platform for people of all backgrounds to study, contemplate, and meditate together on the teachings from Lamrim Year: Making Life Meaningful Day by Day. The Lamrim Year is a compilation of 365 daily teachings by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, published by the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.

Alison Murdoch’s research for the book involved gathering Lama Yeshe’s and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teachings from many years of recorded material. She selected passages that align with the outline presented in Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand by Pabongka Rinpoche. Through this carefully curated 365-day collection, readers are invited to contemplate and meditate on one teaching each day, allowing the lamrim to inspire and transform daily life.

The book may be read electronically or downloaded for free or by donation. Find the Lamrim Year book here.

WHEN: Alternate Tuesdays
TIME: 7.00 – 8.30 pm CET
WHERE: Online
LANGUAGE: English
LEVEL: Some basic understanding of Mahayana Buddhism is of benefit. Everyone is welcome, each session is self-paced to meet one’s own disposition. The sessions are suitable for drop-ins as well as for all levels.

What you can expect: Each evening will be hosted by a Lhagsam facilitator, who will guide you through a 25 to 30-minute session of breathing and lamrim analytical meditation*. Afterward, we’ll explore a Buddhist topic inspired by the Lamrim Year. Find the electronic version here. Our discussions are informal and open to what is on your mind about the lamrim. This is your space—to connect with fellow practitioners, share your experiences on the path, and discuss your insights, needs, and aspirations.

*If you’d like to lead a lamrim meditation from the Lamrim Year, the Lhagsam facilitator will gladly support you with guidance, motivation, and instructions. Please see the “Notes on Leading a Meditation” tab.

The practice is offered online via Zoom without registration:

Disclaimer: Lhagsam may publish recorded sessions in the public domain. By joining this event, you agree to give your consent to this process.

WE INVITE YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT

Suggested donation: Please consider supporting us with a donation. Suggested donation is 0-40 CHF for a session. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. You can donate online (via Paypal, Twint or E-Banking).

Password: 609724

You have 30 minutes to lead the meditation. For the week of leading, please select 6 days from the assigned Days in the Lamrim Year. You may select more or less; it depends on your reading speed and the reflection time breaks you allow.

For example, it should take 5-6 minutes to set the motivation, take refuge, and do a breathing meditation (attention on the breath or you may do the Nine Round breathing meditation). The dedication at the end takes about 1 minute.

Then if you read 6 pages, with 1-2 minutes of reflection after reading a page, the total time available is about 23 minutes.

Leading Script

The total time for setting the motivation, going for refuge, a breathing meditation, and reading the pages from the Lamrim Year [the analytical meditation] and dedication is 30 minutes.

1. The meditation facilitator welcomes everyone and says, “Now, let’s begin by setting our motivation for coming together tonight for the benefit of all sentient beings that we may become enlightened and help all sentient beings become enlightened until samsara ends.”
2. The Lhagsam facilitator or meditation facilitator shares the screen to lead the refuge prayer and the Four Immesurables.
3. Then say, “Let’s release the energy from our day and meditate on the breath for 2-5 minutes before starting our analytical meditation on the lamrim.”
4. After 2-5 minutes, say, “Let’s bring ourselves to the present and begin the mediation.
5. Then read the Day’s quote, “From Day X Lama Yeshe (or Lama Zopa) says, “XXXXXXX.”
6. Pause 2-3 seconds.
7. . Then read the page: exclude any information that is not relevant. You may need to leave out a paragraph or two if you chose more than 6 pages. Or you may need to select only 4-5 pages if you read at a slower pace.
8. Then summarize by reading the bullets at the end of the page and say, “In reflection (or summary) the teachings say, “XXXXXX.”
9. Say, “Now, let’s reflect on these points for a minute or two”.
10. Set a timer for 1-2 minutes.
11. Repeat from 5-9 for the next Day you selected.
12. After the last Day, for the closing say, “Now, let’s bring our attention back to the present moment and do our dedications.”
13. The Lhagsam facilitator or meditation facilitator shares shares the screen for the dedication.
14. Say, “Thank you” and the Lhagsam Facilitator will transition to the group discussion.

Prayers

Taking Refuge and Generating Bodhichitta (3x)

SANG GYÄ CHHÖ DANG TSHOG KYI CHHOG NAM LA
   I take refuge until I am enlightened
JANG CHHUB BAR DU DAG NI KYAB SU CHHI
   In the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Supreme Assembly.
DAG GI JIN SOG GYI PÄI TSHOG NAM KYI
   By my merits of generosity and so forth,
DRO LA PHÄN CHHIR SANG GYÄ DRUB PAR SHOG (3x)
   May I become a buddha to benefit transmigratory beings.

The Four Immeasurables

SEM CHÄN THAM CHÄ DE WA DANG DE WÄI GYU DANG DÄN PAR GYUR CHIG
   May all sentient beings have happiness and the causes of happiness.
SEM CHÄN THAM CHÄ DUG NGÄLDANG DUG NGÄLGYI GYU DANG DRÄLWAR GYUR CHIG
   May all sentient beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.
SEM CHÄN THAM CHÄ DUG NGÄLME PÄI DE WA DANG MI DRÄLWAR GYUR CHIG
   May all sentient beings never be separated from the happiness that knows no suffering.
SEM CHÄN THAM CHÄ NYE RING CHAG DANG NYI DANG DRÄLWÄI TANG NYOM LA NÄ PAR GYUR CHIG
   May all sentient beings abide in equanimity, free of attachment and hatred (for those held) close and distant.

Dedications

To Achieve Buddhahood

GE WA DI YI NYUR DU DAG
   Due to this virtue, may I quickly
LA MA SANG GYÄ DRUB GYUR NÄ
   Attain the state of a guru-buddha
DRO WA CHIG KYANG MA LÜ PA
   And lead all transmigratory beings,
DE YI SA LA GÖ PAR SHOG
   Without exception, into the enlightened state.

To Actualize Bodhichitta

JANG CHHUB SEM CHHOG RIN PO CHHE
   May the precious supreme Bodhichitta
MA KYE PA NAM KYE GYUR CHIG
   Not yet born arise and grow.
KYE PA NYAM PA ME PA YI
  May that arisen not decline,
GONG NÄ GONG DU PHEL WAR SHOG
   But increase more and more.

Dharma Inspiration Invitation

We warmly invite you to contribute a Dharma reflection for our newsletter and/or social media and blog. We especially welcome reflections inspired by the Lamrim Year – choose a day and share what you learned and how you integrated it into daily life.

You may also reflect on a Dharma book, teaching, or personal experience. Contributions can be written, audio, or video, and may take any form—story, poetry, reflection, or a blend of styles.

You’re welcome to share anonymously or with your name. The intention is simply to offer your unique Dharma perspective to inspire others.

If you’d like to contribute, please contact Tara at info@lhagsam.ch.

View our Dharma Inspriaton blog here.