DISCOVERING BUDDHISM: Transforming Problems Into Happiness
(HYBRID) When things go wrong in life, and despite being repeatedly hurt, we continue fighting with the world, trying to overcome problems and achieve the elusive happiness we have been pursuing for as long as we can remember. But look around: no one has succeeded in eliminating sickness, ageing, death, enemies, and all the other difficulties of life. There is a method, however, that can remove the word “problem” from our vocabulary.
Instead of being obstacles to happiness, the things that go wrong in our life can become a source of happiness. The key to this transformation is understanding that it is our subjective experience that determines whether something is a problem or not.
To transform problems into happiness, we must first let go of the wish that things should never go wrong. Things are always going wrong, and it is useless to be unhappy when they do. If a problem can be fixed, we do not need to be sad; if it cannot be fixed, being sad only adds to the pain.
“You must recognize that your real enemy, the thief who steals your happiness, is the inner thief, the one inside your mind, the one you have cherished since beginningless time. Therefore, make the strong determination to throw him out and to never let him back in.”
Lama Thubten Yeshe
Learn to employ the special techniques of mind training (lojong) to transform problems into happiness. When we are faced with difficulty, instead of feeling more and more anxious or trapped, we can learn to transform these adverse circumstances into happiness. We can learn to like problems as much as ice-cream!
In addition, if we consider well the disadvantages of self-cherishing and the advantages of cherishing others more than ourselves, we will become inspired to “exchange ourselves with others”. With this type of equanimity, our relationships will become supportive, and we can begin to create harmony within the world as well.
Topics covered in this course include:
- How to release the eight worldly concerns
- Using problems on the path to enlightenment
- Experiencing problems for others
- How to use happiness on the path to enlightenment
- Geshe Langri Tangpa’s Eight Verses
- How to cultivate equanimity and unbiased affection
“We Westerners always have to blame something external when things go wrong, “I’m not happy, so I’d better change this.” We’re always trying to change the world around us instead of recognizing that it’s our own attachment that we have to change.”
Lama Thubten Yeshe
Event Details
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*Course Package includes both video and soundfile of each class (to catch-up or re-listen), the powerpoint slides, the reading material from FPMT as well as extras from LTC.
About Discovering Buddhism
The Discovering Buddhism is the core program of LTC. It consists of 13 units, but you are most welcome to join at any time. It takes about three years to complete the full cycle and the associated activities. Many people enjoy the program so much they attend subsequent cycles! We invite you to come along to a couple of classes and see how the program suits you. More details here.
Join Event on Zoom
This is a hybrid event, held both in-person in the gompa and online on Zoom. Zoom meeting starts 10 minutes before event start time.
