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Disadvantages of the eight worldly concerns

43 The Foundation of Buddhist Practice

Part of an ongoing series of teachings (retreat and Friday) based on the book The Foundation of Buddhist Practice, second volume in “The Library of Wisdom and Compassion” series by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Venerable Thubten Chodron.

  • Avoding excessive fear of samsara
  • How do you want to be remembered?
  • Our intention is more important than our reputation
  • To seek praise or approval, one may make unwise decisions
  • Law of karma and its effects is our true witness
  • Unhappiness comes from internal emotions of craving and aversion
  • Seeing desirable or undesirable conditions as impermanent
  • Attachment to pleasures of only this life is problematic in the long term
  • Focusing on long term happiness and engaging in virtue

The Foundation of Buddhist Practice 43: Disadvantages Of The Eight Worldly Concerns (download)

Contemplation points

  1. What is a Dharma action and what isn’t?
  2. Describe a portion of your day, observing your drive to seek pleasure and avoid pain.
  3. Are you concerned about your name and reputation after your death? What exactly do you imagine these will bring you?
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.