Guarding Words and Actions
Stephen Poff, 2009
My dear friends,
In the teachings of Jesus, we are often confronted with the stark contrast between outward religious observance and the inner purity of the heart. Jesus consistently warns us against the dangers of hypocrisy, where the appearance of holiness is maintained while the heart remains untransformed. Similarly, the teachings of Geshe Langri Tangpa (1054–1123), particularly in his Eight Verses for Training the Mind, remind us to observe and purify our minds, recognizing that the true source of harm and defilement lies not in external circumstances, but within our own hearts and minds.
they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them.
(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands,
thus observing the tradition of the elders;
and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash,
and there are also many other traditions that they observe:
the washing of cups and pots and bronze kettles and beds.)
So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him,
"Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders but eat with defiled hands?"
He said to them, "Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites;
as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me;
in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.'
You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition."
- Mark 7:1-8
In this passage from the Gospel of Mark, Jesus addresses the Pharisees' preoccupation with external rituals, specifically the washing of hands, while neglecting the more profound inner transformation that God desires. The Pharisees' concern was with maintaining traditions and outward appearances, but Jesus warns that this focus on the external can lead to a neglect of the heart, where true purity and defilement reside. He quotes Isaiah to illustrate that worship and devotion must stem from a sincere heart, not merely from lip service or adherence to human traditions.
"Listen to me, all of you, and understand:
there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile,
but the things that come out are what defile."
- Mark 7:14-15
Here, Jesus clarifies that true defilement does not come from external sources, such as unclean food, but from the thoughts, words, and actions that arise from within us. This teaching echoes the wisdom of Geshe Langri Tangpa, who advises us to constantly observe our minds and to be vigilant against the arising of delusions. By recognizing that the roots of harm and suffering originate within our own minds, we can take responsibility for our own spiritual purification, rather than blaming external factors for our defilement.
sexual immorality, theft, murder,
adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, pride, folly.
All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
- Mark 7:21-23
Jesus lists the various vices and harmful intentions that emerge from the human heart, highlighting that these are the true sources of defilement. This teaching underscores the importance of inner vigilance and self-discipline. Just as Geshe Langri Tangpa advises us to confront and avert delusions the moment they arise, Jesus is instructing us to be aware of the inner sources of our actions. By purifying our hearts and minds, we align ourselves with the divine will and cultivate the virtues that lead to true holiness and spiritual freedom.
And the moment a delusion arises
Endangering myself and others
I will firmly confront and avert it.
- Geshe Langri Tangpa, Eight Verses for Training the Mind (3)
Geshe Langri Tangpa's advice to observe the mind and to confront delusions directly complements Jesus' teachings on inner purity. Both spiritual traditions emphasize the importance of recognizing the true source of harm and suffering: our own deluded thoughts and intentions. By being vigilant in observing our minds, we can prevent the defilement that arises from within, thereby protecting ourselves and others from harm. This practice of mindfulness and self-awareness is essential in our journey towards spiritual maturity and liberation.
In conclusion, the teachings of Jesus and Geshe Langri Tangpa converge in their focus on the inner life as the foundation for spiritual practice. By heeding Jesus' warnings against hypocrisy and externalism, and by following Langri Tangpa's advice to observe and purify our minds, we can cultivate a heart that is truly aligned with the divine. This inner transformation is the key to living a life of genuine compassion, wisdom, and holiness, free from the defilements that arise from within.