The Thirteen Yungdrung Bön Activities are practices that perfect the two accumulations of merit and wisdom. These activities develop our positive qualities and diminish negative tendencies, and provide a way to take advantage of our precious human life. Engaging in these activities also has the benefit of protecting the mind from fear, anxiety and obsessive thoughts by focusing upon sacred actions of body, speech and mind.
- Writing the sacred syllables
- Reading the sacred scriptures
- Reciting the sacred scriptures aloud
- Turning the wheel of Bön by practicing or sharing the teachings
- Presenting offerings and prostrations
- Stopping ordinary speech and maintaining silence
- Reflecting upon the meaning of the words of the sacred scriptures
- Listening to the sacred teachings for one’s own self
- Teaching the sacred teachings for others
- Meditating upon the actual meaning of the teachings
- Practicing toward a spiritual goal
- Exerting oneself in performing virtuous activity
- Exerting oneself with the causes to obtain a precious human body
It is said that reading The Heartdrop of Jamma from the beginning until the end is the same as reading the entire 113 volumes of the Ka, the canon containing the sacred words of Buddha Tönpa Shenrap. This beautiful text, where the practitioner transforms their physical body into the sacred mandala of the limitless emanations of Sherap Jamma, has been translated by Raven Cypress Wood and published by Nine Ways. It is available in both print and eBook. For those who would like to listen to a meditative reading of the English translation of this text, it is available on the Nine Ways Youtube channel.
To the embodiment of all the places of refuge, the root lama, I pay homage, admit my wrongdoing, present offerings, and supplicate!
Please pacify all obstacles, and guide me along the path of liberation! Bestow your blessings that my wishes will be spontaneously fulfilled!
Through the force and the power of this, wherever I am, may the labels illness, hunger, weapons, conflict, and disharmony not even exist!
— Extracted from The Spontaneous Wish-fulfillment of Removing Obstacles from the Path, The Oral Transmission of Khandro Shérap Lopélma included in the publication The Heartdrop of Jamma, A Wise, Loving Mother
Featured Item in the Nine Ways Shop: Bön Syllable OM Pendant
The Yungdrung Bön syllable OM uniquely has five parts that have profound power and symbolism such as representing the Five Wisdom Manifestations of Sherap Jamma, The Five Buddha Families, The Five Wisdoms, The Five Enlightened Bodies, and more. 20% of all sales of these pendants go to support the free medical clinic founded by His Eminence Menri Pönlop Yangtön Trinley Nyima Rinpoche in the remote village of Tsarka in Upper Dolpo, Nepal. While supplies last, you can find them in the Nine Ways Shop.
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