Blessings

[psylotripitaka]

This topic is included in this section of our forum because it is inspired by the Dharmapala, and it is about removing hindrances and gathering favorable conditions for our practice.

Once upon a time a woman told me why she didn't put any effort into doing placement meditation. She said she had a wonderful meditation experience once and subsequently could not replicate that, so she gave it up. What happened was she used that one experience to define the parameters of what meditation is supposed to be like. Due to that one mistaken view she may not have a chance to meditate again for many lifetimes.

Similarly, we may have had an experience of pleasant feelings from visualizing lights and nectars dissolve into us or when dissolving the Guru into our heart, and subsequently we use that to define whether or not we're receiving blessings. As a result it is possible that being unable to produce the same pleasant feelings, we decide we're not receiving blessings, and may even begin to feel we've been abandoned, that we're not worthy or capable, and other discouraging thoughts.

This problem is resolved by redefining what it means to receive blessings. The Gurus say that Buddhas are always present for every living being bestowing uninterrupted blessings upon them. Blessings come in many different aspects and manifest internally and externally. The Guru is always present transmitting uninterrupted blessings, instructions, and conditions conducive to our escape from samsara.

If our mind changes from negative to neutral, or from neutral to positive, this comes from blessings. If we don't experience pleasant feelings when dissolving lights and nectars, it doesn't matter, as the fact our mind is directed towards Dharma or doing these practices is itself arisen from blessings. Insights come from blessings. Pacifying, increasing, controlling, and wrathful experiences or attainments come from blessings. Though we may develop negative minds in reaction to challenges, the mistakes we make are a blessing that in retrospect give great power to our training. Understanding how kind the Guru is to do all this for us arouses a profound appreciation for the Guru. This appreciation coupled with believing we are always in the presence of the Guru opens us to a vast and profound experience of blessings. We begin to understand the nature of blessings, our mind, and our Guru are all the same. This is the transmission of lineage as Lama Tsongkhapa says 'flowing transparently from mind to mind', and leads us to understand why Guru Yoga is the quick path. A broad view of blessings therefore helps us connect consciously and more quickly to the magical transmission being given to us in every moment. Such kindness, so beautiful!

[Midakpa]

"Blessings" is a fascinating topic. It is difficult to define but I think Chokyi Dorje has done a good job. I agree that sometimes we do not get pleasant feelings during visualisation but we must not be discouraged and think that we are not receiving blessings. The important thing is to persevere and not give up.

I like to collect definitions of Buddhist terms. Here are some on "blessings" from my personal dictionary of Buddhism:
blessing (Tib. byin rlab, jin gyi lab pa, jinlap) “transforming (lap) into magnificent potential (jin)”  the transformation of our mind from a negative state to a positive state, from an unhappy state to a happy state, or from a state of weakness to a state of strength, through the inspiration of holy beings such as our Spiritual Guide, Buddhas, and Bodhisattvas (Geshe Kelsang Gyatso); the development of virtuous qualities that you did not previously have and the improvement of those good qualities that you have already developed.  Blessing means: “when the positive qualities of your mind increase and negativities decrease” (the Dalai Lama in Stages of Meditation); the process of cleaning the mirror of rigpa, our intrinsic, pure awareness (the reflection of the face is already there, in the mirror and through this process (guru yoga) one will be able to see it clearly.

[eyesoftara]

When we think of blessings we usually think of something good and magical in relations to our "self".  Dependent of the individual, one may then that they have good luck or some kind of positive thing will happen to them. True definition of blessings is that, when the blessings are done in relations to the Guru and the 3 Jewels, it opens up some merits in our mind to practice the Dharma. It may be that we become more loving and compassionate or that we may be more interested in the Dharma. For those already practicing, then they will have more realisations and become more selfless.

[Midakpa]

Here is what the Buddha said about blessings:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Savatthi, at Jeta Grove, in Anathapindika's Park. Now when the night was far spent a certain deva of wondrous beauty lit up the whole Jeta Grove, and coming to the Exalted One saluted him and stood aside. So standing that deva spoke unto the Exalted One in verse:

"Many devas and many men have pondered on blessings,
Longing for goodly things. O tell me Thou the greatest blessing!"

The Lord replied:

"Not to follow after fools, but to follow after the wise:
The worship of the worshipful, - that is the greatest blessing.

To dwell in a pleasant spot, to have done good deeds in former births,
To have set oneself in the right path, - this is the greatest blessing.

Much learning and much science, and a discipline well learned,
Yea, and a pleasant utterance, - this is the greatest blessing.

The support of mother and father, the cherishing of child and wife,
To follow a peaceful livelihood, - this is the greatest blessing.

Giving of alms, the righteous life, to cherish kith and kin,
And to do deeds that bring no blame, - this is the greatest blessing.

To cease and to abstain from sin, to shun intoxicants;
And steadfastness in righteousness, - this is the greatest blessing.

Reverence, humility, content, and gratitude,
To hear the Norm at proper times, - this is the greatest blessing.

Patience, the soft answer, the sight of those controlled,
And pious talk in season due, - this is the greatest blessing.

Restraint, the holy life, discernment of the Ariyan Truths,
Of one's own self to know the Goal, - this is the greatest blessing.

A heart untouched by worldly things, a heart that is not swayed
By sorrow, a heart passionless, secure, - that is the greatest blessing.

Invincible on every side, they who do these things
On every side they go to bliss, - theirs is the greatest blessing." 

(from the Sutta-Nipata, vv. 258-69, in F.L. Woodward, "Some Sayings of the Buddha")