Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

which are formed by eight surrounding snowy peaks, so
it is a very auspicious place.
It is a traditional Buddhist practice that when a pilgrim
newly arrives at a holy place, he should first pay his
respects by circumambulating it clockwise (thus
keeping it on his right side). I was doing this around the
temple where the Karmapa was staying, all the time
keeping my mind completely concentrated upon his
mantra. So closely did I attend to this that I did not
know some pilgrims had already arrived to see the
Karmapa, and while they were in the temple
worshipping him, they left their dogs outside to roam
about. By "dogs" I do not mean the tame ones in Europe,
but great hulking mastiffs with bloody mouths like
tigers and long sharp teeth. As it was a wild place with
no one around, it did not matter they were free. Then
they saw me coming and went for me, one lunging at
my throat. With my mind totally focused upon the
Karmapa, I pointed at the dog with one finger. The dog
became quiet, sat down, and stared at me. I stood still
and continually repeated the mantra with my hand
remaining in this pointing gesture. Then many people
came running and shouting. "They will kill you," they
said. I just said I was sorry to trouble their dogs and
went on along the path with my practice unbroken.
There is also an old Chinese story concerning
concentration: a guru once sent a disciple with a
message to another teacher living two days' journey
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