The root of cyclic existence

The root of cyclic existence

Part of a series of teachings on Shantideva’s explanation of the four establishments of mindfulness in Chapter 9 of Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds. These teachings followed directly after extensive teachings on A Presentation of the Establishment of Mindfulness, a text by Gyalwa Chokyi Gyaltsen.

  • A review of quiz questions 8-9
  • How we interpret everything through ourselves: self grasping ignorance
  • Notice self-centeredness and slowly apply the antidotes
  • Wrong grasping sees impermanent phenomena as permanent
  • What ignorance grasps as real, wisdom sees in completely opposite way
  • Emptiness does not mean nothingness
  • “I” exist only because of causes for me exist; each moment by moment is going out of existence

Establishment of Mindfulness 34 (download)

Venerable Thubten Chodron

Venerable Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings. She was ordained as a Buddhist nun in 1977 by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche in Dharamsala, India, and in 1986 she received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan. Read her full bio.