News - Bodhicharyavatara
Bodhicharyavatara Chapter 6, Stanzas 87-89
On April 21, 2020 in Bodhicharyavatara, Chapter 6, Teachings
Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
Teachings on Bodhicharyavatara
Session 24
Chapter 6: Patience
Stanzas 87-89
Cultivating Patience Through Obstacles
Rinpoche has now completed his synopsis of the first volumes of the text and in this Session returns to the actual verses, beginning with verse 87, which examines the pitfalls of rejoicing when unhappiness befalls ones’ enemies or when someone gives help or is of benefit to those people we consider our enemy.
This hostile way of thinking, he says, causes harm and creates a tendency to become joyless and entrenched in negative thinking. This flies in the face of the basic aspiration and ethos of the practice, which is for all beings to be happy, including our enemies.
In this negative way of thinking, we are creating our own hell realm and so by changing our way of seeing things we are giving rise to transformation. In the short term, a change of thinking is relatively easy and can bring about positive impact to our relationships, in the longer term, with more deeply rooted problematic relationships it is more difficult, but a simple change of ones own mind can bring a positive result.
Thus the practice of patience in this type of situation is a very powerful purification.
You can also view the teaching on the Chapter 6 page along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1–6 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
New sessions will be posted twice a week, usually on Tuesday and on Friday, so please visit us often. 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 in a live webinar on Zoom, which will be simultaneously streamed on this website. Next webinar will be announced soon. You are encouraged to pose 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.
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.
First Live question and answer session with Rinpoche
On April 19, 2020 in Bodhicharyavatara, Teachings
On Sunday, 19th April, Rinpoche took part in a live question and answer session. Rinpoche answered questions submitted on the recent Bodhicharyavatara course teachings in the Archive and also live questions put to him on Zoom.
You can also view the teaching on the Chapter 6 page along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1–6 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
New sessions will be posted twice a week, usually on Tuesday and on Friday, so please visit us often. Every Friday we will send a mailout with links to all new teachings posted during the week.
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.
Bodhicharyavatara – A Synopsis, 5: Objects of Patience
On April 17, 2020 in Bodhicharyavatara, Teachings
Chapter 6: Patience
How to cultivate the Paramita of Patience: the different kinds of Patience.
Rinpoche starts this session by reminding us that the situation we face now requires that we keep ourselves grounded and continue to keep practising, to develop the qualities as we have always been doing. Although danger is now more apparent, in another way, circumstances haven’t changed. We need the same vigilance.
He lists the 72 objects of our patience and asks that we extend our awareness to the immediate causes and conditions behind situations that test our patience, to try
to understand the suffering of a person when we feel tested and to try to see what is causing them to behave in a particular way.
When we observe from this broader perspective, we are also practising the first three Paramitas, which in turn will help us to practise patience.
You can also view the teaching on the Chapter 6 page along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1–6 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
New sessions will be posted twice a week, usually on Tuesday and on Friday, so please visit us often. Every Friday we will send a mailout with links to all new teachings posted during the week.
You are welcome to leave a question for Rinpoche, relating to this teaching or any other topic, by using the comment area below, or by email, if you prefer. Questions will be answered by Rinpoche in a later session. In any other issues 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.
Bodhicharyavatara – A Synopsis, 4: Patience
On April 14, 2020 in Bodhicharyavatara, Teachings
In session four of the new teachings on Bodhicharyavatara, Rinpoche summarises Chapter 6 and discusses the first of the three aspects of developing Patience:
Understanding the importance of letting go anger and hatred.
Rinpoche advises that where we see injustice and express anger, it is often our expression of compassion that is frustrated by not knowing how to respond correctly, so we need to recognise when that is true for us.
He says further harm is caused by responding to injustice with more anger and distinguishes between that and the times when anger has a purpose and a place; when it can be an act of compassion. However anger is like fire, he says, burning everything in its path, eventually it creates a disturbed state of mind and self destructs. It is very important to deeply understand how the partisan attitude created through misguided anger is dangerous. To understand the wider circumstances that have caused hatred and seeing everyone’s point of view helps in the arising of compassion within ourselves. This broader perspective, he says, sows the seeds of patience.
In the following sessions Rinpoche will discuss the remaining two aspects of the teachings on Patience. These instruct on cultivating and practising the different kinds of patience and result in developing deep respect for all sentient beings.
He concludes with a dedication, and prays that the pandemic will soon dissolve.
You can also view the teaching on the Chapter 6 page along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1–6 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
New sessions will be posted twice a week, usually on Tuesday and on Friday, so please visit us often. Every Friday we will send a mailout with links to all new teachings posted during the week.
You are welcome to leave a question for Rinpoche, relating to this teaching or any other topic, by using the comment area below, or by email, if you prefer. Questions will be answered by Rinpoche in a later session. In any other issues 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.
Bodhicharyavatara – A Synopsis, 3: 1st and 2nd Paramita
On April 10, 2020 in Bodhicharyavatara, Teachings
In this session Ringu Tulku completes his review of chapters 1 – 5 of the Bodhicharyavatara, which have been taught in more detail in his previous teaching series and are available to watch in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
The purpose of the book, he says, is to provide a pathway to liberation from suffering through inner transformation. When we practise these instructions, it can bring a freedom that is informed by wisdom. In turn we see how generating awareness of our actions and responses to lived experience will help us develop a compassionate attitude towards others and help them to arrive at this understanding. It is a teaching on the Six Paramitas.
Rinpoche says the Bodhisattva training is essentially the Eightfold Path. This is a Mahayana text that uses a different approach: the Paramita of Generosity as taught in the first three chapters on Bodhicitta and is developed by making offerings and practising dedication. Chapter 4, Carefulness helps cultivate an understanding of the consequences of our actions, and Chapter 5, Vigilant Introspection trains us to have the capacity to act without need for regret. Guilt, he says is not helpful.
This completes the summary of the first 5 chapters and the first two Paramitas., Generosity and Conduct.
You can also view the teaching on the Chapter 6 page along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1–6 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
New sessions will be posted twice a week, usually on Tuesday and on Friday, so please visit us often. Every Friday we will send a mailout with links to all new teachings posted during the week.
You are welcome to leave a question for Rinpoche, relating to this teaching or any other topic, by using the comment area below, or by email, if you prefer. Questions will be answered by Rinpoche in a later session. In any other issues 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.
Bodhicharyavatara – A Synopsis, 2: Bodhichitta
On April 7, 2020 in Bodhicharyavatara, Teachings
Rinpoche outlines the structure of the whole text:
The first three chapters describe the meaning of Bodhicitta; chapters four to six give instructions on maintaining it; chapters five to seven show how it can be increased, and the last chapter of the book is on the importance of dedication.
In this session he brings a contemporary perspective to the first three chapters. It points to what Bodhicitta means in the current crisis: when our basic needs for survival are not ours alone but relate to every being on the planet: he says the principle elements of air, warmth, water and air must be kept in balance; and we must reconnect with the deeply intuitive feelings of love and compassion which are essential to wellbeing. The corona virus is teaching us, it knows no borders and is highlighting what is most important–our common humanity–and the pettiness of conflict.
Rinpoche discusses the awakening of fearlessness and resulting stability that arises when we act out of love with a common purpose, for the greater good of all and with no expectation. When we awaken compassionate fearless attitude it is empowering: it has always been there and it is imperative now that the future is so uncertain.
You can also view the teaching on the Chapter 6 page along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1-6 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
New sessions will be posted 1-2 times a week, so please visit us often. On Fridays we will send a mailout with links to all new teachings posted during the week.
You are welcome to leave a question for Rinpoche, relating to this teaching or any other topic, by using the comment area below. Questions will be answered in a later video. In any other issues, or 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.
Bodhicharyavatara – A Synopsis
On April 2, 2020 in Bodhicharyavatara, Teachings
Rinpoche is now continuing the course on the Bodhicharyavatara. Each session will be around 15 minutes long, and there will be a new teaching each week. Rinpoche will comment on Shantideva’s text in a direct and simple way, that enables and encourages everybody to make it meaningful in our own life and to use these teachings for the benefit of ourselves and others, both now and in the long run.
In this first video Ringu Tulku Rinpoche dedicates his teaching to everyone who has been affected in any way by the Covid 19 virus, in particular those who are tirelessly working to save lives.
Rinpoche gives an explanation of the title of the text, Bodhicharyavatara which he says originated as an impromptu talk by the 8th century Indian saint, Shantideva.
He tells how it was subsequently translated into Tibetan, becoming a major Mahayana teaching in the Buddhist tradition. Rinpoche describes these teachings as a blueprint for the development of our innate qualities, which if followed as directed will transform our minds and generate within us the qualities of a Bodhisattva, helping ourselves and others to find freedom from suffering.
For those who want to remind themselves of the teachings given up to now they can do so in the Courses Section of the Teachings Archive.
In this talk Rinpoche also shares some anecdotal advice on helping protect ourselves from the corona virus.
You can also view the teaching on the Chapter 6 page along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1-6 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.
You are welcome to leave a question for Rinpoche, relating to this teaching or any other topic, by using the comment area below. Questions will be answered in a later video. In any other issues 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 announces the continuation of the Bodhicharyavatara course
On March 29, 2020 in Bodhicharyavatara, Teachings
Rinpoche has recorded a brief message for everyone which you can watch above. More details will follow regarding the continuation of the Bodhicharyavatara teachings online.
Bodhicharyavatara Audio Teachings Available in the Library
On August 17, 2014 in Bodhicharyavatara, Teachings
Dear Online Shedra followers,
You can soon download all the Bodhicharyavatara teaching audios through one page in the Library. Chapter 1 audio links are there already, and the rest of the chapters will be added shortly. Hopefully this makes accessing the teachings nice and easy!
Our video server has been down for a while. It will soon be up and running again after a thorough maintenance. We apologise for the inconvenience, thank you for your patience, and hope you enjoy listening to the teachings on audio.
As you know, it has been a busy, exciting and successful year for Rinpoche, with a lot of hard work organising His Holiness the Karmapa’s historical first visit to Europe in May-June, and now he is travelling again, without a steady internet access. Nevertheless, we hope that Rinpoche will very soon send us new teachings on the Bodhicharyavatara again.
Photo: Bodhicharya Berlin, 2014.
Online Shedra Update
On March 22, 2014 in Bodhicharyavatara, Teachings
Dear Friends,
Our sincere apologies for not posting any new updates on the Online Shedra during the past months. Now, this is to inform you that Ringu Tulku’s Bodhicharyavatara teachings will still be on hold for some time. As you may know, His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorje’s first visit to Europe will take place in Germany in May-June. Rinpoche is in good health, and very busy, being the main organiser of His Holiness’ visit. We hope that many of you will be able to participate the upcoming events at Kamalashila and in Berlin.
Please find out more on His Holiness the Karmapa’s visit:
http://karmapafoundation.eu/activities/visits/european-visit-2014/
A Commentary on Patrul Rinpoche’s Text ‘Meditation Instructions on Bodhicharyavatara’
On November 18, 2013 in Bodhicharyavatara, Teachings
Dear Friends,
For the past two months Ringu Tulku could not send new video teachings on the Sixth Chapter of the Bodhicharyavatara, and we have been missing his videos badly. In the meantime, the website has gone through some technical improvements, and the Online Shedra teachings were moved to a new platform. Re-linking of the videos is still under way and we apologize for the delay.
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BA6_76-86 Having Patience When People Do Good to Our Enemies
On September 21, 2013 in Bodhicharyavatara, Chapter 6, Teachings
After a successful summer tour Ringu Tulku is now again continuing the video teachings on the Bodhicharyavatara. With this video (BA6_76-86) Rinpoche gives a commentary on the section of cultivating patience towards those who are doing something good for the people we regard as our enemies. This section is covered by stanzas 76 to 86 of the Sixth Chapter of the Bodhicharyavatara.
To view the video, simply click on the image to view all the Chapter 6 videos.
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BA6Q5 Questions and Answers 5 (Chapter 6)
On July 6, 2013 in Bodhicharyavatara, Chapter 6, Teachings
With video BA6Q5 Ringu Tulku Rinpoche answers the questions submitted by students concerning stanzas 54 to 75 of Chapter 6 of the Bodhicharyavatara.
To view the video, simply click on the image to view all the Chapter 6 videos.
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BA6_67-75 Having Patience When Our Loved Ones Are Harmed. Part 2.
On June 15, 2013 in Bodhicharyavatara, Chapter 6, Teachings
With this video (BA6_67-75) Ringu Tulku explains how the negative actions are done out of ignorance. It’s up to us to end this spiral, which otherwise could go on for generations.
If I react with patience and loving kindness instead of hatred, then, even if that requires some sacrifice now, it will prevent more problems in the long run, and contribute to happiness of everybody. At least, I have started a more positive way of life for myself. If I can do this, I should rejoice. That’s the true dharma practice. This is Rinpoche’s commentary on stanzas 67 to 75 of the Sixth Chapter of the Bodhicharyavatara.
To view the video, simply click on the image to view all the Chapter 6 videos.
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BA6_64-66 Having Patience When Our Loved Ones Are Harmed
On June 8, 2013 in Bodhicharyavatara, Chapter 6, Teachings
One of the most difficult times to have patience is when our religion, our teachers, or our loved ones are harmed. Even then, however, there is no reason to be angry. We should of course do whatever we can to prevent and stop that, but we should remain patient. This is Rinpoche’s commentary on stanzas 64 to 66 of the Sixth Chapter of the Bodhicharyavatara. (BA6_64-66)
To view the video, simply click on the image to view all the Chapter 6 videos.
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BA6_61-63 Having Patience When Insulted. Part 2.
On June 1, 2013 in Bodhicharyavatara, Chapter 6, Teachings
With video BA6_61-63 Rinpoche finishes the topic continued from previous videos — why we should remain patient when we are slandered or insulted — as explained in stanzas 61 to 63 of the Sixth Chapter of the Bodhicharyavatara.
To view the video, simply click on the image to view all the Chapter 6 videos.
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