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|text=In chapter 6 Śāntideva presents the topic of patience as the antidote to the most destructive emotion of anger. The chapter consists of verses on overcoming anger, cultivating patience, and respecting all sentient beings. Anger, according to Śāntideva, is never justified and is an emotion wholly destructive of positively accumulated karma. As this is the case, Śāntideva instructs through rational argument why the spiritual aspirant should see enemies not as objects worthy of anger or retaliation but as beings caught in the grips of their own afflictive emotions. | |text=In chapter 6 Śāntideva presents the topic of patience as the antidote to the most destructive emotion of anger. The chapter consists of verses on overcoming anger, cultivating patience, and respecting all sentient beings. Anger, according to Śāntideva, is never justified and is an emotion wholly destructive of positively accumulated karma. As this is the case, Śāntideva instructs through rational argument why the spiritual aspirant should see enemies not as objects worthy of anger or retaliation but as beings caught in the grips of their own afflictive emotions. | ||
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<h3>Concise Summary of Essential Points</h3> | |||
With a strong grounding in ethical discipline, and with our minds guarded by mindfulness and vigilant introspection, Śāntideva now moves on to another essential factor in protecting ourselves from the harm caused by our own internal negative emotions—the practice of patience. | With a strong grounding in ethical discipline, and with our minds guarded by mindfulness and vigilant introspection, Śāntideva now moves on to another essential factor in protecting ourselves from the harm caused by our own internal negative emotions—the practice of patience. | ||
Chapters 4 to 6 cover the second major section of the ''Bodhicaryāvatāra'', which deals with how to prevent the bodhicitta which we have developed from declining. As the structure of the text unfolds, Śāntideva combines this structure of progressive development of bodhicitta with the main practices on the bodhisattva’s path, that of the six perfections (''pāramitā''). | Chapters 4 to 6 cover the second major section of the ''Bodhicaryāvatāra'', which deals with how to prevent the bodhicitta which we have developed from declining. As the structure of the text unfolds, Śāntideva combines this structure of progressive development of bodhicitta with the main practices on the bodhisattva’s path, that of the six perfections (''pāramitā''). | ||
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As Śāntideva clearly puts it in one of the opening verses, there is no mental state worse than anger, and there is no greater positive practice than that of developing patience in the face of challenging circumstances. | As Śāntideva clearly puts it in one of the opening verses, there is no mental state worse than anger, and there is no greater positive practice than that of developing patience in the face of challenging circumstances. | ||
{{PullBcaVerses|6.2}} | |||
Patience is the third of the perfections and an essential building block in the bodhisattva path. Without patience, we will quickly destroy all the good we have done through all our other virtuous practices. | |||
<h4>The Pain of Anger</h4> | |||
What is it that acts in opposition to patience and disturbs our mental calm and balance? It is anger in all its forms, says Śāntideva. | |||
{{PullBcaVerses|6.3}} | |||
States of mind such as irritation, obstinacy, belligerence, and resentment are all different shades of anger. With these constantly arising, our minds are turbulent and cannot find even temporary peace. We can never really feel at ease, we are constantly on edge, and finding restorative sleep will be impossible. When anger is present, there will always be mental suffering. | |||
But how can we cope with anger? How can we avoid it? And how can we confront it and eventually destroy it? In this chapter Śāntideva argues that there is hope, and he reveals to us the tools that we can use to take on anger and eventually vanquish it. | |||
The first line of defense in stopping anger from arising is to prevent unhappy states of mind from taking hold of us. Maintaining a cheerful state of mind and making sure that we do not become despondent are vital methods in preventing anger. | |||
In the following famous verse from this chapter, Śāntideva speaks to this point and encourages us with a very pragmatic way to think when unwanted circumstances arise. | |||
{{PullBcaVerses|6.10}} | |||
According to Śāntideva, when we encounter difficulties, we should never feel a sense of dejection and apathy. There is no reason to get upset. If there is something that can be done to change the situation, what need is there to worry? he asks. Just act. And if there is nothing that can be done to remedy a situation, then why worry? If there is really nothing to do, then what reason could there be for feeling despondent? Such a pragmatic approach runs counter to how we actually live our lives. In such circumstances, we typically become paralyzed with doubt and feel downcast by constant problems, which cause us tremendous mental unhappiness. | |||
<h4>Three Different Kinds of Patience</h4> | |||
The sixth chapter is arranged according to the methods to practice three different kinds of patience: (1) patience in the face of our own suffering, (2) patience in developing certainty in regard to the teachings, and (3) patience in the face of harm. | |||
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