Rinpoche was asked to give a talk on the topic “Autonomy and Interdependence“.

A SUMMARY 
by Maggy Jones

Interdependence is a key subject in Buddhism. It means that nothing stands on its own; it arises because of various factors, and exists because of them. Everything is made from many parts; is there one single entity? You will not find it. Everything exists like a dream, a rainbow; there are many examples. When we accept this, our attachment / aversion are less strong. If a seed has good soil, moisture, warmth, then the plant will grow; otherwise it will not. Everything is like that; karma is causes and conditions.

Regarding autonomy, some think “I cannot attain enlightenment, or transform, because I am interdependent”. This is not the Buddhist view. In Buddhist view, interdependence is how things are. How much my wisdom is awakened,how clearly I see things is up to me,. The things do not change. When did we become deluded? You cannot know what you don’t know! It has no beginning but it has an end. There is free will. Buddhas only point the way, you yourself must walk the path.   Q & A