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Disadvantages of discarding bodhicitta

Disadvantages of discarding bodhicitta

Part of an ongoing series of teachings based on Shantideva’s classic text, “Bodhisattvacharyavatara”, often translated as “Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds.” Venerable Thubten Chodron also refers to the outline of the commentary by Gyaltsab Dharma Rinchen and the commentary by the Abbot Dragpa Gyaltsen.

  • Visualizing buddhas and bodhisattvas to transform our mind
  • Meditating on the kindness of sentient beings to create karma for a good rebirth
  • The drawbacks of discarding bodhicitta:
    • Going to the lower realms
    • Cutting short potential benefit for sentient beings
  • Q&A:
    • Root downfall of a bodhisattva
    • How to balance seeing the world as a pure land with developing renunciation by seeing the sufferings of samsara

20 Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds: Disadvantages of Discarding Bodhicitta (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.