Question asked by Mavis
Dear Rinpoche,
When one is in a place of discomfort aka “spiritual crisis”, the easy way out is to run away from it, but since one has met the Dharma and is viewing it as a form of purification or an opportunity to grow as a Buddhist practitioner. When we decide to stay in this place of discomfort, when do we or if we do ever draw a line to tolerate the emotional turmoil experienced at this time? Or do we just take it all in with the mindset that “whatever doesn’t kill me makes me stronger”, which could also be a form of greed? Greed in the sense that one is grasping at something that will “benefit”, hence the motivation is of benefiting oneself? However, on the other hand, if we do not do anything but “suffer” and let karma run its course as a form of purification, are we not being passive? What would be the correct mindset to have in order to deal with a spiritual crisis? Please enlighten.
Thank you Rinpoche!
With folded hands,
Mavis Yeh
Dear Mavis,
These answers are available when googled. Do search online as the effort put in will speed up your learning as well as read the Lamrim (Liberation in the palm of your hand) which is the main text studied in Kechara. This will enable you to gain a foundational knowledge of the path.
What you asked is in relation to a teaching in the Lamrim on The Precious Human Life.
Just as a flash of lightning on a dark, cloudy night
For an instant brightly illuminates all,
Likewise in this world, through the might of Buddha,
A wholesome thought rarely and briefly appears.
– Shantideva
The Eight Leisures
1. Freedom from being born in the hell realms.
2. Freedom from being born as a hungry ghost.
3. Freedom from being born in the animal realm.
4. Freedom from being born as a long life god.
5. Freedom from being born at a time when a founder Buddha has not appeared.
6. Freedom from being born in a place with no Dharma.
7. Freedom from being born with defective senses.
8. Freedom from holding wrong views.
The Ten Endowments
Five Personal Endowments:
1. Being born as a human being.
2. Being born in the center of a religious country.
3. Being born with a well-functioning body and mind.
4. Not having committed any of the five heinous crimes.
5. Having faith in the Dharma.
Five Circumstantial Endowments:
6. Being born in the fortunate period when a Buddha has appeared.
7. Being born in the fortunate period when a Buddha has taught the
Dharma.
8. Being born in the fortunate period when Dharma exists and flourishes.
9. Being born in the fortunate period when we are able to meet with pure followers of Buddha’s teachings.
10. Being born in the fortunate period when practitioners can enjoy kind support.