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Who’s responsible for our suffering

Who’s responsible for our suffering

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.

  • Creating causes for the kind of body that suffers
  • Why blame others if we have attachment and high expectations?
  • Do we have a role in our suffering?
  • We are instigating force for others to create negative karma
  • Patiently enduring harm, we purify negative karma
  • Looking at our motivation helps us see how afflictions work in our mind

65 Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds: Who’s Responsible for Our Suffering (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.