Gems of Wisdom (2014-2015)
Short talks on Gems of Wisdom, a thought-training text by the Seventh Dalai Lama.
Root Text
Gems of Wisdom translated by Glenn H. Mullin is available from Shambhala Publications here.
Verse 37: The one who is most ridiculed
Venerable Thubten Chodron Those who lose their spiritual practice after falling from glory become ridiculed by those around them.
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Verse 38: The skilled merchant
Giving with strings attached is little different from a business transaction.
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Verse 39: The poorest of all beings
The different ways we practice miserliness only create impoverishment in our hearts.
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Verse 40: The one who infects others’ minds
Looking at the part that our afflicted minds play when others deceive us with their words.
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Verse 41: The most beautiful to worldly people
Worldly people are completely misguided in valuing those who appear to be nice and engage in flattery.
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Verse 42: The most vain of all beings in the world
Examining our tendency to fabricate images and identities that we think will help us to get ahead in the world.
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Verse 43: Bearing small ordeals
Illuminating the importance of learning to bear small ordeals in preparation for aging, sickness and death.
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Verse 44: The powerful demon of doubt
The hindrance of doubt tending towards the wrong conclusion can completely destroy our spiritual practice.
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Verse 45: The mule
Extolling our own good qualities only makes us look foolish in the eyes of others.
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Verse 46: The competitor disliked by all
The negative impact we have on our relationships when we are puffed up with pride and think we are superior to others when we are…
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Verse 47: The great fault
Investigating how our self-centered thought is at the heart of our suffering.
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Verse 48: The smelly fart
Trying to cover up our faults is a futile endeavor. Also, the sharing of a message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
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