Tulku Lobsang – The Wisdom Sword

JILL MANGINO: What is Buddha Nature?

Tulku Lobsang: Buddhism is not religion and it is not culture. Buddhism is the wisdom of nature. We believe all sentient beings have Buddha Nature. This means that our true, deep self is one of clearness and light. Some people may seem more good or bad and we think that is their nature, but we all have the same Buddha Nature. Some are just closer to discovering their nature and some are very far. We all have the same nature.

JILL MANGINO: What is Tantrayana Buddhism?

Tulku Lobsang: There are several vehicles, or paths, in Buddhism. They each have different methods for coming closer to the pure nature of the mind. The Tantrayana path uses the body as the vehicle to liberate the mind. By opening the body and releasing its blockages, we also make the mind more calm and clear. For most Westerners, the approach of using the body to affect the mind is more accessibile.

The body and mind have a relationship like a horse and its rider. The mind is the rider. When you try to tell the rider what he should do, he won’t listen. He is thinking too much—debating the options, weighing the pros and cons, pulling up past memories, questioning and fighting everything. But when you tell the horse where to go, he just goes. He does not question you; there is no debate or discussion. He just does it. Approaching the horse is the much quicker method! You take control of the body and the mind will follow.

JILL MANGINO: What practices do you teach that use the body to bring clarity to the mind?

Tulku Lobsang: I teach many movement practices. For example, Lu Jong is a series of movements very connected with Tibetan Medicine. It combines form, movement, breath and mindfulness to release blocks in the physical body channels. It particularly focuses on the health of the spine, which is a major factor in our health and happiness.

I also teach a sword practice called Tog Chöd. This sword dance is more active and we use the symbolism of the sword to fight the only enemy there is—our own negative emotions.