Chapter 2. Cherish Even One Sentient Being

Usually, even if just one person abuses you, gets angry at you, or doesn’t love you, you get so depressed and it looks to you like everybody dislikes you. If one day your friend gives you up, you get so upset, your life goes down, and you get so depressed that it looks to you like everybody is your enemy. Even though it is only one person, your life goes down as if the whole world, even those who don’t know you, becomes black or dark to you. But even if they turn into your enemy, from your side what should you do? You should cherish them as more dear and more precious than yourself.    (Lama Zopa Rinpoche)

Lama Zopa Rinpoche at Root Institute

Lama Zopa Rinpoche with Kopan Monastery abbot Khen Rinpoche Geshe Chonyi at Root Institute, 2017 (photo by Ven. Losang Sherab)

POINTS FOR REFLECTION

As you read this chapter of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s teachings and watch the video excerpts keep the following points in mind and reflect on them:

  1. Why do you need to ask blessings to destroy the self-cherishing thought?
  2. What qualities come from cherishing others?
  3. What should you do when someone turns into your enemy?
  4. Why should you cherish even ONE sentient being?
  5. Why does Lama Zopa Rinpoche tell the story of Nagpo Chopa and Getsul Tsembulwa?
  6. What are the examples Lama Zopa Rinpoche gives of groups of shortcomings that come from cherishing oneself?

Once you have finished reading each chapter, do the related meditations and mindfulness practices found at the end of the chapter. 

Colophon for the Points for Reflection
The points for reflection were compiled by Ven. Joan Nicell, FPMT Education Services, August 2017.