Diligence (Dzigar Kongtrul, 2nd 2024)

Book

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Descriptionངོ་སྤྲོད།

In this commentary weaves together many teachings that Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche has given over the years on Shantideva’s eighth-century classic The Way of the Bodhisattva.

Commenting on the Diligence chapter of the text, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche illuminates how diligence is the inner vigor that sparks enthusiasm despite difficulty, the dynamic armor that protects against laziness, and the inner strength that aims to meet the world with joy and openheartedness. He explores traditional teachings on diligence, like the three kinds of laziness, the two strengths, rebirth, and the nature of emptiness, and shows how diligence combined with joy can lead us to success in every endeavor. (Source: Shambhala Publications)

Citation

Dzigar Kongtrul, 2nd. Diligence: The Joyful Endeavor of the Buddhist Path. Edited by Jennifer Shippee. Boulder, CO: Shambhala Publications, 2024.

Publisher Link

https://www.shambhala.com/diligence.html

Commentary of

Bodhicaryāvatāra

An "Introduction to Bodhisattva Practice," the Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra is a poem about the path of a bodhisattva, in ten chapters, written by the Indian Buddhist Śāntideva (fl. c. 685–763). One of the masterpieces of world literature, it is a core text of Mahāyāna Buddhism and continues to be taught, studied, and commented upon in many languages and by many traditions around the world. The main subject of the text is bodhicitta, the altruistic aspiration for enlightenment, and the path and practices of the bodhisattva, the six perfections (pāramitās). The text forms the basis of many contemporary discussions of Buddhist ethics and philosophy.

Text

Interviews

Diligence Book: Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche and Jennifer Shippee Full Conversation

Diligence: The Joyful Endeavor of the Buddhist Path. Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche illuminates how diligence is the inner quality that inspires us to engage with the world and, most importantly, with our own mind. It’s the inner vigor that sparks enthusiasm despite difficulty, the dynamic armor that protects against laziness, and the inner strength that aims to meet the world with joy and open heartedness. (Source Accessed Jan 17, 2025)

Forward by Pema Chödrön vii
Preface xi

Introduction: Accomplishing our Aspirations 1
- The Three Kinds of Laziness: A Snapshot 6
- Understanding Intention and Negativity 10
- Claiming Your Dharma Education 17

The Diligence Chapter 19

1. Joy 23
2. The Three Categories of Laziness 25
3. In Order to Get Out, We have to Go In: Our Internal Dialogue 36
4. Contemplating Impermanence Supports the Practice of Virtue 39
5. Excitement versus Genuine Delight 41
6. The Power of Training the Mind with Positive Intentions: Introducing the Four Immeasurables 44
7. Ignorance is Not Bliss 63
8. Embracing the Universal Self 72
9. The Three Wisdoms: Hearing, Contemplation, and Meditation 78
10. Learning to Prioritize and Appreciating Our Hardships 82
11. The Three Measures of Aspiration Bodhichitta: Equanimity, Exchange, and Considering Others as More Important
than Oneself 87
12. The Power of Prayer and Aspiration 98
13. Self-Confidence Comes from Two Sources 103
14. Dharma Practice: Neurosis and Remedy 106
15. How the Bodhisattva Eliminates Physical and Mental Suffering 116
16. The Antidote to Laziness: The Four Allies and the Two Strengths 123
17. Aspiration: An Exercise of Choice 129
18. Dedicating the Merit 138
19. Considering an Understanding of Rebirth 143
20. Starting Small and Finishing What We Start 149
21. A Meaningful Life 174
22. Taking Breaks 182
23. The Two Strengths 185
24. Be the Master of Yourself: The Art of True Joy 193

Acknowledgements 195
Glossary 197
About the Author: A Spiritual Life in Modern Times 203