“Whoever sees Dependent Origination sees the Dharma;
                                              whoever sees the Dharma sees Dependent Origination.” – Buddha Shakyamuni

The Buddha taught that everything arises due to causes and conditions, that nothing exists independently. This teaching refutes both eternalism (that is, that things exist permanently) and nihilism (that nothing matters). Instead, the Buddha revealed The Middle Way, that all phenomena are interdependent, impermanent, and empty of inherent self.

                                                         “When this is, that is.
                                                           From the arising of this comes the arising of that.
                                                          When this isn’t, that isn’t.
                                                           From the cessation of this comes the cessation of that.” – Buddha Shakyamuni

As Rinpoche has taught:
“Like everything that takes place in mind, anger comes about through dependent origination. There is no willful, autonomous ‘self’ making it happen. No one feels angry or acts out in aggression simply because they want to. We are all vulnerable to the causes and conditions around us. How we feel, what we do, and our intentions behind our actions are all subject to countless factors, which are also constantly changing. Therefore, when we think someone is consciously trying to harm us, we are making projections that have nothing to do with the reality of interdependence. No one acts as willfully and free from influence as we think they do. By contemplating in these various ways whoever or whatever seems to threaten us, we can learn to get a better handle on our own angry and resentful reactions.”

Based on the teachings of the sixth chapter of Shantideva’s The Way of the Bodhisattva, Rinpoche’s book Peaceful Heart explores how Buddhist teachings on patience can help you work with whatever disturbances arise in your life and in your mind. Dzigar Kongtrul provides practices and examples throughout the book to challenge readers on the path to developing a more patient heart.

This, and other books by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, can be purchased here: MSB Store