Praise and reputation

72 Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds

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.

  • Anger at obstructions to receiving praise and reputation is unsuitable
  • Why it is unsuitable to make receiving praise one’s objective
  • Attachment to the praising of oneself does not solve the problem of low self-esteem
  • Liking being praised brings out childish behavior
  • Praise and reputation undermine our disillusionment with samsara
  • Attachment to a good-looking body
  • Questions and answers:
    • Repairing relationships while we are alive
    • Disadvantages of fame
    • Invalidity of our projections when we are praised

72 Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds: Praise and Reputation (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.