Gems of Wisdom
Short talks on 108 spontaneous verses by the Seventh Dalai Lama Kelsang Gyatso.
Root Text
Gems of Wisdom translated by Glenn H. Mullin is available from Shambhala Publications here.
All Posts in Gems of Wisdom
Venerable Thubten Chodron Prologue: Praise to Guru Manjushri
Homage and praise to spiritual mentors and how they help us along the path begins…
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Verse 1: The realms of samsara
Why is it so hard to break free from the realms of cyclic existence? It's…
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Verse 2: Attachment to sense pleasures
Our insatiable craving for sense objects is the source of our suffering.
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Verse 3: The fire of anger
Clinging attachment leads to anger and suffering when our high expectations are not met. How…
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Verse 4: The darkness of ignorance
Ignorance of how things exist and ignorance of karma and its effects are like dark…
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Verse 5: The wild horse of pride
Pride can be a stumbling block on the path, stunting our spiritual progress.
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Verse 6: The mischievous slanderer, jealousy
Unable to bear the happiness of others, jealousy causes us to harm those who try…
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Verse 7: The enemies of happiness and prosperity
Afflictive emotions like miserliness and anger only bring us misery, though we think they'll bring…
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Verse 8: The prison of personal entanglements
Attachment to loved ones and friends creates suffering that distracts us from our spiritual aspirations.
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Verse 9: The chains that bind us
Attachment, habitual behaviors, and doubt hinder our practice even when we go on retreat.
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Verse 10: Misleading friends
Misleading friends appear kind but encourage us away from our ethics and principles and can…
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Verse 11: False friends
Using others for our own gain, or being used by others for theirs. Examine why…
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