BA3_1-4 Rejoicing
With this video (BA3_1-4) we come to the third chapter of the Bodhicharyavatara, Taking Hold of Bodhichitta. Here Rinpoche explains stanzas 1 to 4, which cover the fifth branch of the eight accumulation practices: rejoicing. The first four branches — offerings, prostrations, refuge and confession — were discussed in chapter 2. These practices are part of the preliminaries for generating or fully adopting the bodhichitta.
To view the video, simply click on the image to view all the Chapter 3 videos.
If you prefer listening to the teaching in audio, use the audio player below.
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The audio as well as the audio translations in different languages and the transcript of this teaching are all available on Chapter 3 page.
We are also studying the commentary transcript on Chapter 3, which you can download here and in the Library section. Further recommended reading: the commentary book by Kunzang Pelden (Khenpo Kunpal), The Nectar of Manjushri’s Speech, p. 119-121.
Rinpoche is mainly using the Padmakara English translation of the Bodhicharyavatara, The Way of the Bodhisattva. Rinpoche has also referred to these two translations which are available online: http://www.kunpal.com, http://www.lotsawahouse.org/bodhicharyavatara.html.
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Dear Rinpoche, thank you for your very clear and practical explanation of these stanzas. When we find jealousy and envy in ourselves should we apply the purification practices which you explained in the previous chapter?
thank you, Lynda
Thank you Rinpoche! Very much. Love Yumma.
Hi Rinpoche (sorry, this is quite long)
Thank you for your teaching videos, you are giving me much to work on! Would you help me to understand something about the first stanza of chapter 3. During the last year, I saw another translation of this chapter, the first stanza is translated below
In the spiritual energy that relieves
The anguish of beings in misery and
Places depressed beings in eternal joy
I lift up my heart and rejoice.
When I read this it seemed simple to understand, I thought it was about rejoicing in the potential in all of us to come to eternal joy, the power of spiritual energy, and the impermenance of anguish, misery and other sufferings.
This was before I heard your kind instruction. You seem to be saying that stanza 1 is talking about rejoicing in the postive deeds of the most ordinary beings which brings temporary relief from suffering. I accept we rejoice in ordinary beings doing positive deeds even though they may not be aware of the dharma.
I’m interested as I found the reminder that spiritual energy has the power to transform and bring suffering beings to eternal joy, even to beings in the most suffering, to be inspirational and helpful for my practice. This seems effective for me at cutting through negativity and I have found it simple for me to use to invoke feelings of rejoicing. I also believe it to be true (from the little I have glimpsed through my own practice) when I am rejoicing there is not so much space in my mind for the jealousy! It seems a shame I have come to the wrong interpretation, can I continue to use this practice?
Dear Rinpoche, I was struck by the teaching “to rejoice for no reason at all.” When I practice this from the heart, it feels relaxing, easy and open. But when I go back to my usual rational point of view, I quickly ask: “given the 3 types of suffering affecting all samsaric beings, including myself, I see very little reason to rejoice at all.” I feel the benefit to myself when rejoicing for no reason at all, but it seems like playing ostrich, burying my head in the sand and forgetting the all-pervasive suffering – how is it possible to rejoice and see the suffering at the same time? Please would you kindly help me clarify all confusion? Thank you.
Dear Rinpoche,
For me it’s not difficult to rejoice and I can be happy for no special reason. But, sometimes, I feel that people are jealous of this attitude, and it makes me feel belittled. Can you help me with that? Thank you.
Waouw! Thank you so much Rinpoche for your Compassion and your clear explanations!
Love