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Chapter 2: Abandoning belief in pleasure

Verses 35-44

Countering the distortion of seeing what is in the nature of dukkha as pleasurable. The teachings on Chapter 2 of Aryadeva’s Four Hundred Stanzas on the Middle Way begin at the end of the last talk in Chapter 1, given on May 23, 2013.

  • Dispelling the belief that real happiness can be found in cyclic existence
  • Seeing that there is no consistent, reliable source of pleasure that can overcome dukkha generates a motivation to practice and seek liberation

06 Aryadeva’s 400 Stanzas: Verses 35-44 (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.