Slogans

The Lojong teachings are traditionally presented through fifty-nine short, pithy slogans. Some of the original slogans are quite similar and appear grouped together as combined slogans in this presentation. Each combined slogan contains two or three original slogans separated by semicolons (for example, Slogan 13 below). Click here to download a cross-reference of this revised presentation with the original presentation.

Here are the forty-eight revised slogans, organized by the revised Four Points of Mind Training. To view the commentary for a slogan in a new tab, click the hyperlink.

NOTE: This list of slogans reflects the 2025 update to the structure of the four points of mind training.

I. The Preliminaries, Which Are a Basis for Dharma Practice.

  1. First, train in the preliminaries.

II. The Main Practice, Which Is Training in Bodhicitta.

Absolute Bodhicitta

  1. Regard all dharmas as dreams.
  2. Examine the nature of unborn awareness.
  3. Self-liberate even the antidote.
  4. Rest in the nature of Alaya, the essence.
  5. In post-meditation, be a child of illusion.

Relative Bodhicitta

  1. Sending and taking should be practiced alternately. These two should ride the breath.
  2. Begin the sequence of sending and taking with yourself.
  3. Three objects, three poisons, and three seeds of virtue.
  4. In all activities, train with slogans.

III. The Skillful Means for Practicing Bodhicitta, Which Is the Three Difficulties.

  1. Train in the three difficulties.

The First Difficulty: Seeing Neurosis as Neurosis

  1. Liberate yourself by examining and analyzing.
  2. Don’t wallow in self-pity; don’t be jealous; don’t be frivolous.
  3. Don’t ponder others; don’t talk about injured limbs; don’t malign others.
  4. Don’t wait in ambush; don’t bring things to a painful point; don’t try to be the fastest.
  5. Don’t make gods into demons; abandon poisonous food; don’t act with a twist.
  6. Don’t be so predictable (don’t be so trustworthy).
  7. Don’t transfer the ox’s load to the cow.
  8. Don’t seek others’ pain as the limbs of your own happiness.

The Second Difficulty: Trying Something Different

  1. Drive all blames into one.
  2. Contemplate the great kindness of everyone (be grateful to everyone).
  3. Four practices are the best of methods.
  4. Whatever you meet unexpectedly, join with meditation.
  5. Of the two witnesses, hold the principal one.
  6. Whichever of the two occurs, be patient.
  7. Always meditate on whatever provokes resentment.
  8. Don’t be swayed by external circumstances; don’t vacillate.
  9. Don’t misinterpret.
  10. Don’t expect applause.

The Third Difficulty: Making This a Way of Life

  1. When the world is filled with evil, transform all mishaps into the path of Bodhi.
  2. Seeing confusion as the four Kayas is unsurpassable shunyata protection.
  3. Always abide by the three basic principles.
  4. Change your attitude, but remain natural.
  5. Work with the greatest defilements first.
  6. All activities should be done with one intention.
  7. Correct all wrongs with one intention.
  8. Two activities, one at the beginning and one at the end.
  9. Take on the three principal causes; pay heed that the three never wane.
  10. Keep the three inseparable.

IV. Training Wholeheartedly for Living and Dying.

  1. Train without bias in all areas. It is crucial always to do this pervasively and wholeheartedly; Train wholeheartedly.
  2. All dharma agrees at one point.
  3. Always maintain only a joyful mind.
  4. If you can practice even when distracted, you are well trained.
  5. This time, practice the main points.
  6. Observe these two, even at the risk of your life.
  7. Practice the five strengths, the condensed heart instructions.
  8. The Mahayana instruction for ejection of consciousness at death is the five strengths. How you conduct yourself is important.
  9. Abandon any hope of fruition.