Cherishing our enemies

74 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.

  • How an open mind helps us to be free of anger and fear
  • What forgiveness and fortitude mean
  • Why we should be happy to have enemies
  • Whether they have the intent to benefit us or not, our enemies should be cherished
  • Viewing those who harm us as a merit field
  • Question and answers:
    • How do we turn a negative action against us into purification?
    • Why we need spiritual community to avoid spiritual bypassing

74 Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds: Cherishing Our Enemies (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.