'The 37 practices of Bodhisattvas' composed by Bodhisattva
Togmay Zangpo and translated into English by Ruth Sonam, with
commentaries by Bhiksuni Thubten Chodron.
ISBN: 978-981-08-2417-4
Book for free distribution only
Pages 81-83
Transforming Loss into the Path
Hi all.. I'd like to share this verse I read as
I view it to be applicable in our everyday lives, be
it someone stealing something important to us, such as
physical possessions, or maybe someone stealing job
promotion chances from us, etc..
Transforming problems into the path
This verse begins a series of practices called "thought
training" in which we practise transforming adverse circumstances
into the path to enlightenment. Thought training practices are very
practical because disappointments and obstacles abound in samsara.
These practices may initially seem challenging, but when we
contemplate them repeatedly, they begin to make sense. They show us
a new way to view circumstances - a way that prevents anger and
resentment and increases joy and the sense of meaning in our
lives.
Dedicate all to the person who steals from you
One of the worst things anyone can imagine is robbers stealing
needed and valued possessions from their home or a shady character
swindling them out of their house. Normally, what would we
do? we would be enraged; we would be furious; we would want
revenge. Feeling violated and sorry for ourselves, we
would kick up a big fuss, rant and rave and try to retaliate. Verse
12 instructs us to do the opposite. First we train to understand
that getting angry doesn't help. It only poisons our mind and keeps
us mentally trapped. Thus, instead of being angry and
self-righteous, we train our mind to let go and dedicate our body,
possessions and virtue to those who robbed us. Instead of thinking,
"This is mine", and trying to get it back when there's no way we
can ever get it back, we mentally give it to the thief. We don't
just offer the thief all our possessions, but mentally offer our
body which can transform into whatever they need, and our virtue
past, present and future which becomes conducive circumstances for
them to meet and practise the Dharma.
Instead of holding a grudge and having it gnaw at us year after
year, we let go and happily give the clung-to possessions to the
person. Perhaps, something in your heart says "Are you kidding?
Thats not fair." In response, ask yourself, "What will happen if i
cling on to my notion of what's fair?" You may cling onto
the thought, but will you be happy? No. In that case, what happens?
You have lost not only your possessions but also your happiness.
Being unhappy about the loss doesn't return the possessions to us.
It just makes as a double loss.
If somebody takes your things without permissions, think, "They
must need that very badly. I give it to them." If you genuinely
give it to them and decide, "Now that doesn't belong to me anymore.
It belongs to him," you will have mental peace. On the other hand,
if you hold onto the feeling of being wronged and make yourself
into a victim of another persons' injustice, you'll feel
miserable.
This does not
mean that we allow people to cheat us or if someone steals things
from us, we say "Do you want anything else? I can show you where
the key to my neighbour's house is." If somebody steals your
things, you can try to recover them, but do this without being
angry at the person, without being vengeful and seeking
retaliation. This verse instructs us how to work
with our mind so that our mind remains content and in a virtuous
state.
ebook: http://media.kmspks.org/files/2010/05/37Practices-.pdf