The Good Qualities of Suffering

THE THREE VISIONS
Fundamental Teachings of the
Sakya Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism
by Ngorchen Konchog Lhundrub
fore. by H.H. Sakya Trizin
trans. by Lobsang Dagpa and
Jay Goldberg
more...

Dharma Quote of the Week

...one should think, "If physical illness or mental suffering did not occur to me, then I would be distracted only by the busy activities of this life. Having become intoxicated with pride and arrogance, I would never produce sadness for this world and would never be mindful of the acceptance and rejection of virtue and nonvirtue. So this disease or suffering has caused me to be mindful of the objects of refuge and the Dharma. It has evoked within me strong renunciation and sadness (for this world), and many deeds (karma) that would have caused me to experience the hells in future lives are being settled through ripening here (in this life)." If one practices in this manner, one's illness and suffering will be transformed into the path of enlightenment. As it was said in the Bodhicaryavatara,

Moreover, the good qualities of suffering are
that one dispels pride by sadness, generates
compassion for worldlings, produces an aversion
for nonvirtue, and a fondness for virtue.

--from The Three Visions: Fundamental Teachings of the Sakya Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism by Ngorchen Konchog Lhundrub, fore. by H.H. Sakya Trizin, trans. by Lobsang Dagpa and Jay Goldberg, published by Snow Lion Publications

Tags: Buddhism, suffering, dharma quote, Snow Lion Publication, The Three Visions, Fundamental Teachings of the Sakya Lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, Ngorchen Konchog Lhundrub