This LIVE Question and Answer Session with Rinpoche took place on:
The recorded video of the live session is now above. For the audio only version, and all the audio translations, visit the Chapter 7 page.
The next LIVE Question and Answer Session with Rinpoche will be:
Sunday, 13th December 2020 – 14:30 pm GMT/UTC
Details and link to follow.
Please join us for these bi-monthly live sessions with Rinpoche and ask your question live or send them in advance using the comments areas or forms on any of the Bodhicharyavatara teaching posts.
If you would like to make an offering for translations, please click the links below:
These teachings are dedicated for all who are sick and dying of corona virus, and for all who are tirelessly working in order to help them.
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
Teachings on Bodhicharyavatara
Chapter 7: Diligence
Session 32
Stanzas 71-76
The closing verses on chapter 7 impress upon us the need to understand how imperative it is to apply ourselves in earnest to the practice of Diligence: we should hold sharply to awareness as if someone is threatening to attack with a naked sword while we walk a tightrope holding a jar of boiling oil; if a drop is spilt we must succumb to the blade. Or with the spontaneous agility that would be required to escape a poisonous snake that has fallen into our lap we must maintain mindfulness of our actions and dedicate ourselves to staying diligently on the path.
It is so important to keep our awareness broadly focussed and with an eye on the detail, and to set ourselves tasks that are within our capacity; if we look after the short term projects, mindful of the implications for going astray or being diverted, we won’t be overwhelmed by the long term projects, they will be manageable.
Maintaining a joyful heart, approaching life positively, being ready to go with the flow when necessary while focussing on the task in hand and watching out for the pitfalls as they arise, is the key to achieving success.
***
New sessions are now posted here twice a week, usually on Tuesday and Friday.
Archive members can also view the teaching on the Chapter 7 along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1–7 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
New sessions will now be posted twice a week, usually on Tuesday and Friday. Every Friday we will send a mailout with links to all new teachings posted during the week.
Rinpoche has kindly agreed to answer questions regarding these teachings once in every two weeks in a live webinar on Zoom, which will be simultaneously streamed on this website. Next webinar will be on 29th November. You are encouraged to ask your question live in the webinar, but if you are more comfortable with submitting it in writing, you can do so by using the comment area below. Please reflect on your question carefully before you send it, and be concise and only use one short paragraph and less than 80 words. Vous pouvez également envoyer des questions en français. También puede enviar preguntas en español. Sie können Fragen auch auf Deutsch senden. Puoi anche inviare domande in italiano. Presubmitted questions in other languages are also welcome and they will be translated to English.
In any other questions and for technical help, please contact us at Teachings Archive.
These teachings are dedicated for all who are sick and dying of corona virus, and for all who are tirelessly working in order to help them.
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
Teachings on Bodhicharyavatara
Chapter 7: Diligence
Session 31
Stanzas 67-70
These next verses discuss the force of Relinquishment, and Cultivating Strengths. Addressing the perennial dilemma of knowing when to take a break, and when to push on, Diligence here includes knowing how to pace our enthusiasm; when we need to rest, recharge and recuperate in order to have the strength and enthusiasm to continue what we are doing and give it our best. In order to be effective, we must have the right mental and physical conditions possible to carry out any task, meaning withdrawing ourselves from something when we are fatigued is an act of diligence.
On the other hand we must not become attached to our accomplishments, but be ready to relinquish them on completion, so that others may carry on the work and bring it forward. This leaves us free to develop ourselves.
We must also be on our guard, keeping alert and aware to moments of weakness. Similar to a person in battle who must hold on to their weapon at all costs, it is essential to remain mindful––because when the poison of the kleshas enters our mind-stream it will destroy us.
***
New sessions are now posted here twice a week, usually on Tuesday and Friday.
Archive members can also view the teaching on the Chapter 7 along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1–7 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
New sessions will now be posted twice a week, usually on Tuesday and Friday. Every Friday we will send a mailout with links to all new teachings posted during the week.
Rinpoche has kindly agreed to answer questions regarding these teachings once in every two weeks in a live webinar on Zoom, which will be simultaneously streamed on this website. Next webinar will be on 29th November. You are encouraged to ask your question live in the webinar, but if you are more comfortable with submitting it in writing, you can do so by using the comment area below. Please reflect on your question carefully before you send it, and be concise and only use one short paragraph and less than 80 words. Vous pouvez également envoyer des questions en français. También puede enviar preguntas en español. Sie können Fragen auch auf Deutsch senden. Puoi anche inviare domande in italiano. Presubmitted questions in other languages are also welcome and they will be translated to English.
In any other questions and for technical help, please contact us at Teachings Archive.
These teachings are dedicated for all who are sick and dying of corona virus, and for all who are tirelessly working in order to help them.
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
Teachings on Bodhicharyavatara
Chapter 7: Diligence
Session 30
Stanzas 63-66
After Confidence, developing Joy is the third force or power that will aid our training in Diligence. Rinpoche reminds us of the innocence of children at play, abandoning themselves to fun and games without consideration for rewards or payments, just playing for its own sake. This is how we should apply our own minds when we practice dharma, immersing ourselves in bodhisattva action without any expectation. It may not always reap great results, but something good will come sooner or later if our intention is right.
Rinpoche distinguishes the joy we seek from trying to satisfy ourselves with material or sensual pleasures which are short-lived and often bring us down the path of attachment or neediness: the text says there is a sweet-sour aspect to it–like licking honey from a razor’s edge where there is potential for self harm hidden in a pleasurable activity. This kind of joy is short lived and cannot compare to the joy that can be felt when reaching out to help others with only their welfare in mind and no thought for ourselves.
***
New sessions are now posted here twice a week, usually on Tuesday and Friday.
Archive members can also view the teaching on the Chapter 7 along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1–7 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
New sessions will now be posted twice a week, usually on Tuesday and Friday. Every Friday we will send a mailout with links to all new teachings posted during the week.
Rinpoche has kindly agreed to answer questions regarding these teachings once in every two weeks in a live webinar on Zoom, which will be simultaneously streamed on this website. Next webinar will be on 29th November. You are encouraged to ask your question live in the webinar, but if you are more comfortable with submitting it in writing, you can do so by using the comment area below. Please reflect on your question carefully before you send it, and be concise and only use one short paragraph and less than 80 words. Vous pouvez également envoyer des questions en français. También puede enviar preguntas en español. Sie können Fragen auch auf Deutsch senden. Puoi anche inviare domande in italiano. Presubmitted questions in other languages are also welcome and they will be translated to English.
In any other questions and for technical help, please contact us at Teachings Archive.
These teachings are dedicated for all who are sick and dying of corona virus, and for all who are tirelessly working in order to help them.
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
Teachings on Bodhicharyavatara
Chapter 7: Diligence
Session 29
Stanzas 59-62a
Here Rinpoche continues to discuss the power of pride as a positive force. With uncompromising clarity Shantideva describes the self confidence that is an essential and positive aspect of pride, when it is informed by right motivation and understanding. There is no attachment, no fear, no selfish sub-plot associated with pride in this context, it is unconditional.
The third of the attributes associated with pride is confident ability. We have the determination and dedication to continue to act like a lion being attacked by foxes, we assume the role of conquerors with the sole purpose of alleviating suffering, our own and that of others. With this confidence in our ability to act appropriately we never succumb to feelings of inadequacy––protecting ourselves from the kleshas as we would protect our own eyes.
***
From now on, we will post a new session twice a week, usually on Tuesday and Friday.
Archive members can also view the teaching on the Chapter 7 along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1–7 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
New sessions will now be posted twice a week, usually on Tuesday and Friday. Every Friday we will send a mailout with links to all new teachings posted during the week.
Rinpoche has kindly agreed to answer questions regarding these teachings once in every two weeks in a live webinar on Zoom, which will be simultaneously streamed on this website. Next webinar will be on 29th November. You are encouraged to ask your question live in the webinar, but if you are more comfortable with submitting it in writing, you can do so by using the comment area below. Please reflect on your question carefully before you send it, and be concise and only use one short paragraph and less than 80 words. Vous pouvez également envoyer des questions en français. También puede enviar preguntas en español. Sie können Fragen auch auf Deutsch senden. Puoi anche inviare domande in italiano. Presubmitted questions in other languages are also welcome and they will be translated to English.
In any other questions and for technical help, please contact us at Teachings Archive.
These teachings are dedicated for all who are sick and dying of corona virus, and for all who are tirelessly working in order to help them.
This LIVE Question and Answer Session with Rinpoche took place on:
The recorded video of the live session is now above. For the audio only version, and all the audio translations, visit the Chapter 7 page.
The next LIVE Question and Answer Session with Rinpoche will be:
Sunday, 29th November 2020 – 14:30 pm GMT/UTC
Details and link to follow.
Please join us for these bi-monthly live sessions with Rinpoche and ask your question live or send them in advance using the comments areas or forms on any of the Bodhicharyavatara teaching posts.
If you would like to make an offering for translations, please click the links below:
These teachings are dedicated for all who are sick and dying of corona virus, and for all who are tirelessly working in order to help them.
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
Teachings on Bodhicharyavatara
Chapter 7: Diligence
Session 27
Stanzas 55-58
Staying with the explanation of the two styles of pride, Rinpoche distinguishes further in the next verses between the two types of pride: arrogance, and confident pride. This latter is the pride of a Bodhisattva, when you are clear thinking, certain, confident but humble, the lion-like child of Buddha who has conquered the maras.
To be wrongly swayed by the power of arrogance is harmful. To fall under the sway of one who gives indiscriminate praise, rising to the bait or crumpling under criticism shows that in truth you are not confident. Confidence is seen when, regardless of what is being said, you are aware of your capacities and failings and you steadfastly hold on to that understanding. Then the opinions and criticisms of others will not bother you, you know what you have to do and you do it. On the other hand, you are also willing to look at negative criticism and assess its validity on your own terms, using your own intelligence. Arrogance does not give you that freedom.
Archive members can also view the teaching on the Chapter 7 along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1–7 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
New sessions will be posted every week, usually on Friday. Every Friday we will send a mailout with links to all new teachings posted during the week.
Rinpoche has kindly agreed to answer questions regarding these teachings once in every two weeks in a live webinar on Zoom, which will be simultaneously streamed on this website. Next webinar will be on 15th November. You are encouraged to ask your question live in the webinar, but if you are more comfortable with submitting it in writing, you can do so by using the comment area below. Please reflect on your question carefully before you send it, and be concise and only use one short paragraph and less than 80 words. Vous pouvez également envoyer des questions en français. También puede enviar preguntas en español. Sie können Fragen auch auf Deutsch senden. Puoi anche inviare domande in italiano. Presubmitted questions in other languages are also welcome and they will be translated to English.
In any other questions and for technical help, please contact us at Teachings Archive.
These teachings are dedicated for all who are sick and dying of corona virus, and for all who are tirelessly working in order to help them.
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
Teachings on Bodhicharyavatara
Chapter 7: Diligence
Session 26
Stanzas 49-54
Rinpoche goes more deeply into the three things to which confidence must be applied: action, affliction and ability. He returns to Verse 49, elaborating further on training ourselves to have confidence in our actions, even when we feel alone and unsupported, before discussing negative afflictions and the development the confidence required to overcome those, as well as our ability to help ourselves and others, without conceit.
We might feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the task, especially when we feel that those around us are oblivious to the negativity they are creating for themselves when we observe it will take them further away from the happiness they pursue.
It can also be difficult to see our own fault-lines of deceit or arrogance when they creep in as we observe the behaviour of others, so being confident but not self-righteous requires clarity on our part and it is important to understand the difference. It is important also to recognise our own limitations, but not be put off when our efforts are mocked and rejected. Steadfastness is key to keeping a strong heart.
Archive members can also view the teaching on the Chapter 7 along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1–7 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
New sessions will be posted every week, usually on Friday. Every Friday we will send a mailout with links to all new teachings posted during the week.
Rinpoche has kindly agreed to answer questions regarding these teachings once in every two weeks in a live webinar on Zoom, which will be simultaneously streamed on this website. Next webinar will be on 15th November. You are encouraged to ask your question live in the webinar, but if you are more comfortable with submitting it in writing, you can do so by using the comment area below. Please reflect on your question carefully before you send it, and be concise and only use one short paragraph and less than 80 words. Vous pouvez également envoyer des questions en français. También puede enviar preguntas en español. Sie können Fragen auch auf Deutsch senden. Puoi anche inviare domande in italiano. Presubmitted questions in other languages are also welcome and they will be translated to English.
In any other questions and for technical help, please contact us at Teachings Archive.
These teachings are dedicated for all who are sick and dying of corona virus, and for all who are tirelessly working in order to help them.
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
Teachings on Bodhicharyavatara
Chapter 7: Diligence
Session 24
Stanzas 46-49
Rinpoche talks about aspiration in terms of devotion, understanding that we will not be able to reach everyone we wish to help, as in the Avatamsaka sutra, where it is said that even when the sun is shining there will be places that remain in shadow where the suns rays cannot reach, but this must not prevent us from helping those who are open to it.
The second of the four forces is training in confidence, confidence that the task at hand can be completed and that we will not be put off by the obstacles that are bound to arise. If we continually begin a project without finishing it we will develop a karma that may continue into future lives.
Of the three types of projects we might embark on, Dharma practice is the hardest one to bring to fruition, so the tendency to begin something without the determination to complete it is the most detrimental to our spiritual progress. The three things we must apply ourselves to are: action, afflictions, and our ability to carry through, being confident before we begin anything that we are capable of completing it.
(Rinpoche then reads the stanzas 50-51 in Tibetan at the end of the video, but will explain them in the next session.)
Archive members can also view the teaching on the Chapter 7 along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1–7 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
New sessions will be posted every week, usually on Friday. Every Friday we will send a mailout with links to all new teachings posted during the week.
Rinpoche has kindly agreed to answer questions regarding these teachings once in every two weeks in a live webinar on Zoom, which will be simultaneously streamed on this website. Next webinar will be on 1st November. You are encouraged to ask your question live in the webinar, but if you are more comfortable with submitting it in writing, you can do so by using the comment area below. Please reflect on your question carefully before you send it, and be concise and only use one short paragraph and less than 80 words. Vous pouvez également envoyer des questions en français. También puede enviar preguntas en español. Sie können Fragen auch auf Deutsch senden. Puoi anche inviare domande in italiano. Presubmitted questions in other languages are also welcome and they will be translated to English.
In any other questions and for technical help, please contact us at Teachings Archive.
These teachings are dedicated for all who are sick and dying of corona virus, and for all who are tirelessly working in order to help them.
This LIVE Question and Answer Session with Rinpoche took place on:
The recorded video of the live session is now above. For the audio only version, and all the audio translations, visit the Chapter 7 page.
The next LIVE Question and Answer Session with Rinpoche will be:
Sunday, 15th November 2020 – 14:30 pm GMT/UTC
Details and link to follow.
Please join us for these bi-monthly live sessions with Rinpoche and ask your question live or send them in advance using the comments areas or forms on any of the Bodhicharyavatara teaching posts.
If you would like to make an offering for translations, please click the links below:
These teachings are dedicated for all who are sick and dying of corona virus, and for all who are tirelessly working in order to help them.
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
Teachings on Bodhicharyavatara
Chapter 7: Diligence
Session 23
Stanzas 44-45
Continuing our investigation of the four forces, after considering the negative effects of wrong aspiration, we are here given the results that can come from positive aspiration. The first discussed is that of birth into a Pure Land, into the cool fragrance of a lotus blossom, into the nourishing spacious environment, the wisdom light, of a Buddhafield.
Rinpoche helps us understand and distinguish the metaphore in the text from the reality of human birth, because in the training of body, speech and mind we bring about the transformation necessary to ensure we are ‘born’ into an environment that is beneficial, where we do no harm, and no longer perpetuate negative conditions and behaviours that are so easily slipped into.
The way I live and those conditions I aspire to are created in my mind. Both myself and my environment become what I am according to my lifestyle: I am creating my own karma, to be in hell or nirvana.
Archive members can also view the teaching on the Chapter 7 along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1–7 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
New sessions will be posted every week, usually on Friday. Every Friday we will send a mailout with links to all new teachings posted during the week.
Rinpoche has kindly agreed to answer questions regarding these teachings once in every two weeks in a live webinar on Zoom, which will be simultaneously streamed on this website. Next webinar will be on 1st November. You are encouraged to ask your question live in the webinar, but if you are more comfortable with submitting it in writing, you can do so by using the comment area below. Please reflect on your question carefully before you send it, and be concise and only use one short paragraph and less than 80 words. Vous pouvez également envoyer des questions en français. También puede enviar preguntas en español. Sie können Fragen auch auf Deutsch senden. Puoi anche inviare domande in italiano. Presubmitted questions in other languages are also welcome and they will be translated to English.
In any other questions and for technical help, please contact us at Teachings Archive.
These teachings are dedicated for all who are sick and dying of corona virus, and for all who are tirelessly working in order to help them.
This LIVE Question and Answer Session with Rinpoche took place on:
The recorded video of the live session is now above. For the audio only version, and all the audio translations, visit the Chapter 7 page.
The next LIVE Question and Answer Session with Rinpoche will be:
Sunday, 25th October 2020 – 14:30 pm GMT/UTC
Details and link to follow.
Please join us for these bi-monthly live sessions with Rinpoche and ask your question live or send them in advance using the comments areas or forms on any of the Bodhicharyavatara teaching posts.
If you would like to make an offering for translations, please click the links below:
These teachings are dedicated for all who are sick and dying of corona virus, and for all who are tirelessly working in order to help them.
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
Teachings on Bodhicharyavatara
Chapter 7: Diligence
Session 21
Stanzas 40-43
Aspiration is the start of the journey. Where does it come from? If it is so comfortable being the way we are, there’s no reason to be different. We must generate the causes for aspiration, find the root, and even if we are not able to accomplish anything more than that right now, we have laid the foundations for developing new tendencies and habits, so that positive attitude will arise naturally. You will feel the difference, and so will others. It can’t be measured, but rest assured things will become easier and this will follow into your next life. The next verses explain how this unfolds, how we can begin to value what we have and want differently, with a more altruistic attitude, recognise where power can be poison, and generate fear in the powerful, to the extent that life becomes ever limited.
We never know from where our karma originates, so all we can do is work with the present situation to the best of our knowledge and ability, with the right motivation and without judgement.
Archive members can also view the teaching on the Chapter 7 along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1–7 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
New sessions will be posted every week, usually on Friday. Every Friday we will send a mailout with links to all new teachings posted during the week.
Rinpoche has kindly agreed to answer questions regarding these teachings once in every two weeks in a live webinar on Zoom, which will be simultaneously streamed on this website. Next webinar will be on 18th October. You are encouraged to ask your question live in the webinar, but if you are more comfortable with submitting it in writing, you can do so by using the comment area below. Please reflect on your question carefully before you send it, and be concise and only use one short paragraph and less than 80 words. Vous pouvez également envoyer des questions en français. También puede enviar preguntas en español. Sie können Fragen auch auf Deutsch senden. Puoi anche inviare domande in italiano. Presubmitted questions in other languages are also welcome and they will be translated to English.
In any other questions and for technical help, please contact us at Teachings Archive.
These teachings are dedicated for all who are sick and dying of corona virus, and for all who are tirelessly working in order to help them.
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
Teachings on Bodhicharyavatara
Chapter 7: Diligence
Session 20
Stanzas 37-39
In these next three verses we are challenged to look at what we have done in our lives that we can be genuinely proud of. Most of us, the text says, have merely paid lip service to the fundamental gift of human life we were given, and we would be hard put to name deeds or influences we have directed towards the good of others.
Even making offerings to the Buddhas – those to whom we could offer gratitude for their beneficial influence and dedication to teaching us what they have learned. Their wisdom is unquantifiable but still we have not valued it as such, or offered thanks. Or to others who need help, how have we moved ourselves to make life more bearable or tolerable, for those who suffer famine, war and torture, how have we helped?
The most we can say we achieved was to cause terrible pain to our own mothers, first through our birth and then by being insufferably difficult as children.
It begs the question, why have we been thus, and why spurn the hands that feed us on a material and spiritual level?
Archive members can also view the teaching on the Chapter 7 along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1–7 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
New sessions will be posted every week, usually on Friday. Every Friday we will send a mailout with links to all new teachings posted during the week.
Rinpoche has kindly agreed to answer questions regarding these teachings once in every two weeks in a live webinar on Zoom, which will be simultaneously streamed on this website. Next webinar will be on 18th October. You are encouraged to ask your question live in the webinar, but if you are more comfortable with submitting it in writing, you can do so by using the comment area below. Please reflect on your question carefully before you send it, and be concise and only use one short paragraph and less than 80 words. Vous pouvez également envoyer des questions en français. También puede enviar preguntas en español. Sie können Fragen auch auf Deutsch senden. Puoi anche inviare domande in italiano. Presubmitted questions in other languages are also welcome and they will be translated to English.
In any other questions and for technical help, please contact us at Teachings Archive.
These teachings are dedicated for all who are sick and dying of corona virus, and for all who are tirelessly working in order to help them.
This LIVE Question and Answer Session with Rinpoche took place on:
The recorded video of the live session is now above. For the audio only version, and all the audio translations, visit the Chapter 7 page.
The next LIVE Question and Answer Session with Rinpoche will be:
Sunday, 18th October 2020 – 14:30 pm GMT/UTC
Details and link to follow.
Please join us for these bi-monthly live sessions with Rinpoche and ask your question live or send them in advance using the comments areas or forms on any of the Bodhicharyavatara teaching posts.
If you would like to make an offering for translations, please click the links below:
These teachings are dedicated for all who are sick and dying of corona virus, and for all who are tirelessly working in order to help them.
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
Teachings on Bodhicharyavatara
Chapter 7: Diligence
Session 18
Stanzas 33-36
The next verses, 33-36 go through in further detail what is required in order to bring the forces into play: generating fierce aspiration, recognising the urgency of that by really seeing the amount of harm and suffering experienced in our world and how long it will take to eliminate even one negative habit of our own because of its ingrained nature. At the same time, recognising how far we have come on the path of change even with half-hearted effort, imagine what could be achieved if we were to wholeheartedly engage in transformation?
In the end, the transformation, generating Diligence through aspiring to become a Bodhisattva is entirely up to us, we alone can awaken ourselves, Buddha only shows the way.
Archive members can also view the teaching on the Chapter 7 along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1–7 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
New sessions will be posted every week, usually on Friday. Every Friday we will send a mailout with links to all new teachings posted during the week.
Rinpoche has kindly agreed to answer questions regarding these teachings once in every two weeks in a live webinar on Zoom, which will be simultaneously streamed on this website. Next webinar will be on 4th October. You are encouraged to ask your question live in the webinar, but if you are more comfortable with submitting it in writing, you can do so by using the comment area below. Please reflect on your question carefully before you send it, and be concise and only use one short paragraph and less than 80 words. Vous pouvez également envoyer des questions en français. También puede enviar preguntas en español. Sie können Fragen auch auf Deutsch senden. Puoi anche inviare domande in italiano. Presubmitted questions in other languages are also welcome and they will be translated to English.
In any other questions and for technical help, please contact us at Teachings Archive.
These teachings are dedicated for all who are sick and dying of corona virus, and for all who are tirelessly working in order to help them.