One Hundred and Eight Verses Praising Great Compassion: Part 3
Venerable Thubten Chodron
Cloud Mountain Retreat Center, Washington, USA
26 September - 3 October 2008

During this retreat Venerable Chodron continued her commentary on the One Hundred and Eight Verses Praising Great Compassion called A Precious Crystal Rosary by Bhikshu Lobsang Tayang. The retreat talks covered verses 10 through 21 with a brief review of verses 1 through 9. Venerable Chodron plans to finish teaching on the remaining verses at a later retreat.

Previous teachings on 108 Verses:
Part 1: June 2006: Chenresig Retreat at Cloud Mountain
Part 2: June 2007: Chenresig Retreat at Cloud Mountain

27 September 2008

Review of Verses 1-3
This is a partial recording.
[20 minutes] : Download mp3 file

28 September 2008

Self-Centeredness
Ven. Chodron explains how self-centeredness is the biggest obstacle to developing compassion. She talks about how going through life with a self-centered viewpoint leads to dissatisfaction. Ven. Chodron also explains that it is not beneficial to feel guilty about being self-centered
[50 minutes] : Download mp3 file

29 September 2008

Review of Verses 7-9
Ven. Chodron reviews verse 7 through 9. She explains the compassion that focuses on the suffering aspect of sentient beings and the analogy of sentient beings as a bucket in a well. She also discusses compassion that focuses on the impermanent aspect of sentient beings and compassion that focuses on the empty aspect of sentient beings.
[40 minutes] : Download mp3 file

30 September 2008

Verses 10-12
Ven. Chodron discusses verse 10 through 12. She compares the compassion of the arhats and Buddhas. She explains the four duties of a shramana. She also talks about how to deal with violent situations and retaliation.
[51 minutes] : Download mp3 file

1 October 2008

Verses 13-14
Ven. Chodron gives the commentary on verses 13 though 14. She talks about fear and worry, how they are based on self-centeredness and how they affect us. She also talks about antidotes to fear and worry.
[53 minutes] : Download mp3 file

2 October 2008

Verses 15-17
Ven. Chodron gives commentary on verse 15 through 17.  She explains how it refers to Dinaga’s homage to the Buddha. Ven. Chodron explains Dinaga’s logical proof showing that the Buddha is a reliable guide. She also explains how compassion leads to the other qualities of a Buddha.
[31 minutes] : Download mp3 file

3 October 2008

Verses 17-21
Ven. Chodron discusses verses 17 through 21. She talks about how trust and confidence in the Buddha differs from blind faith. She also talks about making decisions out of compassion versus self-centeredness.
[67 minutes] : Download mp3 file