Natural nirvana and actual nirvana
154 Engaging in the Bodhisattva's Deeds
Geshe Tenzin Chodrak (Dadul Namgyal) 
Shantideva Teachings at Sravasti Abbey 
Sep 28, 2023 Part of an ongoing series of teachings based on Shantideva’s classic text, Bodhisattvacharyavatara, often translated as Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds. Additional texts referred to include the outline of the commentary by Gyaltsab Dharma Rinchen and the commentary by the Abbot Dragpa Gyaltsen.
- Refuting the five contradictions asserted by realists
- Verses 13 and 14ab: The realists claim natural nirvana is actual nirvana
- Verses 14cd and 15ab: If the causes have ceased, samsara will not return
- The difference between natural nirvana and actual nirvana
- Verses 15cd and 16: Refuting the Cittamātra (Yogācāra) school argument that illusions could not be observed by a non-inherently existent consciousness
154 Natural nirvana and actual nirvana (download)
Geshe Tenzin Chodrak (Dadul Namgyal)
Geshe Tenzin Chodrak (Dadul Namgyal) is a prominent scholar who earned a Geshe Lharampa degree in Buddhism and Philosophy from Drepung Monastic University in 1992. He also holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from Panjab University in Chandigarh, India. Author of several books on Buddhism, Geshe Tenzin Chodrak was also professor of Philosophy at Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in Varanasi, India for seven years. In addition, he has been the Spiritual Director of Losel Shedrup Ling Tibetan Buddhist Center, Knoxville, USA. Due to his facility in both Tibetan and English, he is interpreter and speaker for numerous conferences exploring the interface of Buddhism with modern science, Western philosophy, and psychology and other religious traditions on both a national and international level. Geshela’s language ability has also enabled him to serve as an auxiliary language translator for His Holiness and Dalai Lama throughout the world. As a published author and translator, Geshela’s credits include a Tibetan translation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Power of Compassion, a language manual, Learn English through Tibetan, and a critical work on Tsongkhapa’s Speech of Gold. Geshela lived and worked at Drepung Loseling Monastery in Atlanta, Georgia, where he prepared a six-year curriculum in Modern Science to be used in Tibetan monasteries and nunneries. Geshe Tenzin Chodrak is also on the Sravasti Abbey Advisory Board.
