Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
Teachings on Bodhicharyavatara
Chapter 8: Meditation
Session 7
Stanzas 9-13
Following on from the previous verses reminding us to understand impermanence and the necessity for practice, we here move into noting the influences that can prevent us from practice, beginning with attachment and the choice of companion we keep: our friends are not always those we are physically closest to.
We should beware childish people who suffer from jealousy, who may lead us into lower states because we react badly to their negativity. It is easy to become pulled into their fickle web of pride, scorn and self-aggrandizement.
The company we keep that is beneficial, Rinpoche says, can be understood as a sharing of interests; for this, two people need not be in the same room: this type of companionship can grow over distance and time between people who have the same aspirations and share positive influences.
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Dear Rinpoche
This is a question about shamata and vipassana meditation that came up in stanza 4. In your recent teachings on Samantabhadra’s prayer, would the kind of meditation practice suggested in the prayer be classed as shamata or vipassana?
Thank you, warm wishes,
Lynda