Kindness of the three jewels

[Hazel]

My teacher says that when something bad happens to us to think "this is due to the kindness of the three jewels." How exactly is that true?

My interpretation is that when something bad happens to us - if it weren't for the three jewels - it would just be bad, but because of the three jewels I can turn it into an opportunity to practice and work towards the benefit of all, which is a kindness.

What are other ways of looking at this?

[Budai]

You have a very advanced interpretation. You way outdo anything I can add!

[Ayu]

Shantdeva explained it thoroughly in his Bodhicharyavatara, chapter 6 on patience.

[Schrödinger’s Yidam]

It could be seen as a karmic purification. Instead of some negative karma fully ripening in the future, it ripened now in a fraction of the severity it otherwise would. A flu now replaces a cancer later.

Or you can see it as your misinterpretation of the situation. Suppose a romantic interest rejects you and you are heartbroken. Perhaps the unseen karma was that they would have made your life a living hell if you had gotten together with them. Since the 3 Jewels can see unripened karma their perspective is the correct one.

At the end of Mingyur R’s documentary on his time away from the monastery he says a prayer:
*****
If it is right for me to die, give me the courage to die.
If it is right for me to live give me the courage to live.
*****
It takes a lot of letting go of ego based perspective and opinion of what the “right thing” is, and replacing it with carte blanche trust and devotion. If the world is truly a heartless and cruel place, that is insane. But if the 3 Jewels actually are a source of refuge...

[Budai]

Shantdeva explained it thoroughly in his Bodhicharyavatara, chapter 6 on patience.

I read it. Very Truthful, Honest, and Inspiring!


I think this is the most succeeding part. Very Perfectly Good for it's topic.

107
Therefore, just like treasure appearing in my house
Without any effort on my behalf to obtain it,
I should be happy to have an enemy
For he assists me in my conduct of Awakening.
108
And because I am able to practise (patience) with him,
He is worthy of being given
The very first fruits of my patience,
For in this way he is the cause of it.
109
—But why should my enemy be venerated,
He has no intention for me to practise patience?—
Then why venerate the sacred Dharma?
(It too has no intention) but is a fit cause for practice.
110
—But surely my enemy is not to be venerated
For he intends to cause me harm—
But how could patience be practised
If, like doctors, people always strove to do me good?
111
Thus since patient acceptance is produced
In dependence upon (one with) a very hateful mind,
That person should be worthy of veneration just like
the sacred Dharma,
Because he is a cause of patience.

...

133
Why do I not see
That my future attainment of Buddhahood
As well as glory, renown and happiness in this very life
All come from pleasing sentient beings?
134
While in cyclic existence patience causes
Beauty, health and renown.
Because of these I shall live for a very long time
And win the extensive pleasures of the universal Chakra Kings.

-A GUIDE TO THE BODHISATTVA'S WAY OF LIFE.

[Hazel]

Shantdeva explained it thoroughly in his Bodhicharyavatara, chapter 6 on patience.

I read it. Very Truthful, Honest, and Inspiring!


I think this is the most succeeding part. Very Perfectly Good for it's topic.

107
Therefore, just like treasure appearing in my house
Without any effort on my behalf to obtain it,
I should be happy to have an enemy
For he assists me in my conduct of Awakening.
108
And because I am able to practise (patience) with him,
He is worthy of being given
The very first fruits of my patience,
For in this way he is the cause of it.
109
—But why should my enemy be venerated,
He has no intention for me to practise patience?—
Then why venerate the sacred Dharma?
(It too has no intention) but is a fit cause for practice.
110
—But surely my enemy is not to be venerated
For he intends to cause me harm—
But how could patience be practised
If, like doctors, people always strove to do me good?
111
Thus since patient acceptance is produced
In dependence upon (one with) a very hateful mind,
That person should be worthy of veneration just like
the sacred Dharma,
Because he is a cause of patience.

...

133
Why do I not see
That my future attainment of Buddhahood
As well as glory, renown and happiness in this very life
All come from pleasing sentient beings?
134
While in cyclic existence patience causes
Beauty, health and renown.
Because of these I shall live for a very long time
And win the extensive pleasures of the universal Chakra Kings.

-A GUIDE TO THE BODHISATTVA'S WAY OF LIFE.

Wow, that's really great. Thank you both!

And thank you Schrödinger’s Yidam as well!

[karmanyingpo]

Shantdeva explained it thoroughly in his Bodhicharyavatara, chapter 6 on patience.

I read it. Very Truthful, Honest, and Inspiring!


I think this is the most succeeding part. Very Perfectly Good for it's topic.

107
Therefore, just like treasure appearing in my house
Without any effort on my behalf to obtain it,
I should be happy to have an enemy
For he assists me in my conduct of Awakening.
108
And because I am able to practise (patience) with him,
He is worthy of being given
The very first fruits of my patience,
For in this way he is the cause of it.
109
—But why should my enemy be venerated,
He has no intention for me to practise patience?—
Then why venerate the sacred Dharma?
(It too has no intention) but is a fit cause for practice.
110
—But surely my enemy is not to be venerated
For he intends to cause me harm—
But how could patience be practised
If, like doctors, people always strove to do me good?
111
Thus since patient acceptance is produced
In dependence upon (one with) a very hateful mind,
That person should be worthy of veneration just like
the sacred Dharma,
Because he is a cause of patience.

...

133
Why do I not see
That my future attainment of Buddhahood
As well as glory, renown and happiness in this very life
All come from pleasing sentient beings?
134
While in cyclic existence patience causes
Beauty, health and renown.
Because of these I shall live for a very long time
And win the extensive pleasures of the universal Chakra Kings.

-A GUIDE TO THE BODHISATTVA'S WAY OF LIFE.

Wow, that's really great. Thank you both!

And thank you Schrödinger’s Yidam as well!

I believe HHDL was the one who taught me the essence of that teaching from the Bodhichariyavataria. It is one of the pillars of my practice in everyday life, so so precious.... Really helps you bring life onto the path

KN

[Schrödinger’s Yidam]

On a closely related note, I’ll quote something I read here at DW. The poster was named “fortyeightvows”:

Student:
Lama, I thought I might die but then I realized that the 3 Jewels would protect me.
Lama:
Even If you had died the 3 Jewels would still have protected you.

I liked it so much I now include it in my signature at the bottom of my posts.