Engaging in the Bodhisattva's Deeds (2020–23)
Teachings on Shantideva’s Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds.
Root Text
A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life translated by Stephen Batchelor and published by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives is available as an ebook on Google Play here.
Review of Chapter Five: “Guarding Alertne...
Venerable Thubten Semkye Review of the second half of Chapter 5 covering Shantideva's explanation of how to train in the ethics of gathering virtue and the ethics of…
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Abandoning attachment
Venerable Thubten Chodron Commentary to verses 4-7 of Chapter 8, "Meditation". How attachment hinders serenity meditation, identifying attachment, and recognizing it's drawbacks.
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Childish sentient beings
How attachment to childish sentient beings and their nonvirtuous activities is an obstacle to Dharma practice and the development of concentration.
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The faults of attachment
Commentary on verses that cover the faults of attachment to material possessions, reputation, fame, praise and worldly beings.
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Attachment hinders our concentration
Commentary to verses 23 - 28, which describe attachment as a hindrance, and dwelling in isolation as beneficial for developing concentration.
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Attachment to body, friends, and family
Commentary on verses by Shantideva covering antidotes for attachment to the body, friends, and relatives.
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Imagining our death and pacifying distractions
Commentary on verses from Shanitdeva on the benefits of subduing distractions to meditation including attachment to friends, relatives and the body.
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The skeleton in the body
Commentary to verses 41-47 of Shantideva's Chapter 8. Reflecting on the nature of the body to counter the distraction of sexual desire.
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The foulness of the body
To counter desire for the body, Shantideva gives us verses to pull back the veil of exaggeration to see the body's real nature.
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The body is not beautiful
Commentary on verses that help to see the body more objectively in order to counter the distraction of attachment which interferes with meditation.
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Wealth is fraught with problems
Shantideva's verses describe the lengths we go to obtain wealth, sex, and possessions, and the suffering this ultimately brings.
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The disadvantages of samsara
Commentary on Shantideva's verses that point out the disadvantages of samsara, in order to develop a strong mind that strives for liberation.
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