Aryadeva's 400 Stanzas with Venerable Thubten Chodron (2013-15)
Commentary by Venerable Thubten Chodron on Aryadeva’s Four Hundred Stanzas on the Middle Way to prepare for Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe's teachings.
Root Text
Aryadeva's Four Hundred Stanzas on the Middle Way is available from Shambhala Publications here.
Chapter 1: Abandoning belief in permanence
Venerable Thubten Chodron An introduction to the text "400 Stanzas on the Middle Way" by Aryadeva, the study text of the weekly Thursday night teachings at Sravasti Abbey.
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Chapter 1: Verses 1-10
The benefits of reflecting on death, how to contemplate death with wisdom, and refuting misconceptions of permanence.
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Review of Chapter 1: Remembering death
Venerable Thubten Semkye Meditations on death. How remembering death give us an incentive to practice.
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Chapter 1: Verses 11-24
How practicing the Dharma will be of the greatest benefit at the time of death, loosening the attachment to those we love and to our…
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Chapters 1-2: Verses 25-34
How the mistaken view of the body as a source of pleasure leads to dukkha, and seeing the body as a source of pain will…
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Chapter 2: Abandoning belief in pleasure
The unsatisfactory nature of the pleasures of cyclic existence and how they cannot bring real, lasting happiness.
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Chapters 2-3: Verses 45-52
How what is seen as pleasurable in samsara is actually a small discomfort replacing a greater discomfort, and all pleasure is transient.
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Chapter 3: Abandoning belief in cleanliness
Recognizing the difficulties created by sensual desire and seeing the body for what it is instead of exaggerating its good qualities.
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Chapter 3: Verses 64-72
Examining the foulness of the body and why there is resistance to thinking of the body as merely a bag of filth and impurity.
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Chapters 3-4: Verses 73-77
How our attempts to beautify the body fail to make it an appropriate object of desire, and the importance of developing inner happiness.
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Chapter 4: Abandoning pride
An examination of how pride wreaks havoc on personal and global levels, and how we can cultivate self-confidence for spiritual benefit instead.
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Chapter 4: Verses 85-92
Examining the reasons why it is inappropriate for those in power to be proud, relating these verses to current events.
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