Study Buddhist Treatises with Thubten Chodron - Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron

Review on the first four verses of Chapter 9 of Shantideva's text.

Refuting the Cittamātra assertion of self-cognition.

Refuting the realist and Cittamātra arguments.

An overview of the four philosophical tenet schools.

The difference between being an actual illusion, and illusion-like.

Commentary to verses 6-8 of Chapter 9, "Wisdom," of Shantideva's "Engaging in the Bodhisattva's Deeds."

What is negated by ultimate analysis and the role of conventional consciousness.

A review looking at selected verses to develop compassion for difficult people with guided meditation.

How the Buddhist philosophical schools present the two truths.

Explanation of the view of the selflessness of phenomena in the Buddhist tenet schools.

How to counter attachment to the body by cultivating mindfulness of the body.

Why being angry at others is inappropriate, because they are under the control of afflictions

Developing fortitude in the face of harm and hardship using thought transformation verses.

How anger arises due to causes and conditions, and how to use an understanding of dependent arising to decrease anger.

How we can use suffering and difficult situations to increase our compassion, instead of responding with anger

The disadvantages of anger, and how to keep the mind from getting angry by protecting against its cause—mental unhappiness.

How those who harm us can help us overcome anger, resentment, and grudges.

Continued explanation of the nine-point meditation on equalizing self and others with the three points from the viewpoint of ourselves.

Explanation of the first three points of the nine-point meditation on equalizing self and others.

Explanation of the nine-point equalizing self and other meditation, covering point 1, how everyone equally wants happiness and to be free from suffering.

Shantideva’s verses describe the lengths we go to obtain wealth, sex, and possessions, and the suffering this ultimately brings.

Commentary on verses that help to see the body more objectively in order to counter the distraction of attachment which interferes with meditation.

To counter desire for the body, Shantideva gives us verses to pull back the veil of exaggeration to see the body’s real nature.

Commentary to verses 41-47 of Shantideva’s Chapter 8. Reflecting on the nature of the body to counter the distraction of sexual desire.

Commentary on verses from Shanitdeva on the benefits of subduing distractions to meditation including attachment to friends, relatives and the body.

Commentary on verses by Shantideva covering antidotes for attachment to the body, friends, and relatives.

Commentary to verses 23 – 28, which describe attachment as a hindrance, and dwelling in isolation as beneficial for developing concentration.

Commentary on verses that cover the faults of attachment to material possessions, reputation, fame, praise and worldly beings.

How attachment to childish sentient beings and their nonvirtuous activities is an obstacle to Dharma practice and the development of concentration.

Commentary to verses 4-7 of Chapter 8, “Meditation”. How attachment hinders serenity meditation, identifying attachment, and recognizing it’s drawbacks.

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 benefiting others.

Review of the first half of Chapter 5 “Guarding Alertness,” (introspective awareness) from Shantideva’s “Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds.”

Commentary on verses 1-3 of Chapter 8, “Meditation”. How attachment to the wonders of this life are a key distraction in meditation.

Commentary to verses 68-76 of Chapter 7, “Enthusiasm”. How to use conscientiousness and introspection as tools to increase and support joyous effort.

How to generate the strong intention to apply antidotes to the afflictions, and engage in the powers of joy and rest as antidotes to laziness.

Commentary on verses 47-58. The role of self-confidence in progressing on the path and the difference between self-confidence and self-importance.

Commentary on verses 46-49. How aspiration and steadfastness support and increase each other. Also the role of self-confidence in completing wholesome actions.

Contemplating karmic cause and effect to strengthen the aspiration for virtue.

Commentary to verses 30-38 of Chapter 7, including the four powers that increase the strength of joyous effort.

By creating the causes to overcome discouragement the results will be joyous effort to practice the Dharma.

Commentary on verses 15-22 of Chapter 7, on overcoming discouragement and developing enthusiasm to practice the Dharma.

Completion of the commentary on the intrusive conditions and incompatible propensities that interfere with practicing the Dharma.

Continued explanation of the eight intrusive conditions and eight incompatible propensities that interfere with practicing the Dharma.

Commentary on verse 15 of Chapter 7 including the intrusive conditions and incompatible propensities that interfere with practicing the Dharma.

Counteracting laziness and developing joyous effort. Commentary on verses 11-14 of Chapter 7. Also why people don’t learn from suffering or punishment.

Shantideva’s advice for overcoming laziness and developing enthusiasm for practicing the Dharma. Commentary on verses 5-10 of Chapter 7.

Covering Verses 1-4 of Chapter 7, discussing the true meaning of joyous effort and obstacles to it

Reading Verses 131-134 of Chapter 6, explaining what it means to please sentient beings and the benefits of practicing fortitude, and beginning Chapter 7

Covering Verses 122-132 from Chapter 6, exploring various reasons why retaliation against those who harm us is inappropriate

As commentary to Verses 116-122 of Chapter 6, emphasizing the importance of cherishing sentient beings as a way to repay the kindness of the buddhas

Giving commentary to Verses 113-116, elaborating on why we should cherish and respect sentient beings as much as we cherish and respect the buddhas