26. Rejoicing

Overall Teaching

Bodhisattvas perfect their skilful means by viewing all beings as their kin, continually rejoicing in others' merits, and aspiring for omniscience to generate merit for all. By embracing right views, practicing discipline and diligence, and avoiding negligence, they accumulate various "treasuries" of virtues and swiftly attain profound Samādhi and ultimate awakening.

Summary

1. Introduction

   • The Buddha explains to Candraprabha:

     • Bodhisattvas perfect their skilful means by:

       1. Viewing all beings as their kin.

       2. Rejoicing in others' merit, day and night.

       3. Aspiring for omniscience and generating merit for all beings.

       4. Directing those roots of merit to swiftly attaining this Samādhi and highest awakening.

2. In a gāthās, the Buddha elaborates:

   • Rejoicing in others' merit implies:

     • 1. Regarding them as one's kin.

       2. Continually rejoicing with pure faith. Which includes:

          • Rejoicing in others who have faith in the Triple Gem.

          • Rejoicing in the Triple Gem together with them.

          • Rejoicing in those who honour the buddhas.

       3. Recognising others' pure morality.

   • One should rejoice in the embrace of emptiness and right views:

     • Rejoice in those free from notions of self, others, beings, and soul.

     • Celebrate those who relinquish errors and delight in emptiness.

   • One should rejoice in practice leading to samādhi:

     • Rejoice in those who enter the Dharma and receive ordination.

     • The stage after that is to have few desires:

       1. This means being content, and dwelling in solitude in forests and beneath trees, free from distractions with pure right livelihood.

          • Reducing attachment to family and relatives.

          • Rejoicing in those who steer clear of idle chatter and those who can distinguish between virtuous and non-virtuous activities. This also includes enjoying peaceful environments and shunning chaos. 

          • Living without disputes or arguments and embodying tranquility. Never praising oneself or belittling others.

       2. Constantly being aware of dangers within the three realms.

          • Disliking all forms of rebirth.

          • Having diligence and living diligently within the Buddha-Dharm; recognizing non-negligence as the foundation of all path-supporting virtues.

       3. Avoid clinging to the defilements.

     • Then developing a sharp, compassionate mind.

     • Thereupon, one can be considered a true child of the Buddha and one's attainment of Samādhi will be less difficult.

   • In the bodhisattva career, there are four treasuries:

     • 1. Encountering the Buddha-Dharma.

       2. Receiving ordination and renouncing worldly life.

       3. Maintaining pure, unwavering faith.

       4. Attaining this profound Samādhi.

     • On top of this, there are three superior treasuries:

       1. Listening to the teachings on vast emptiness without slander.

       2. Achieving eloquence as a valuable treasury.

       3. Recognizing the attainment of Samādhi as an ultimate treasure.

     • The supreme treasury consist of:

       1. Four virtues: Discipline (Śīla), hearing (Śruti), giving (Dāna), and patience (Kṣānti).

       2. Non-negligence as the foundation of the four virtues. Bodhisattvas who avoid negligence quickly gain eloquence. This also requires lack of doubt in the wisdom of the Buddha.

     • With these treasuries, especially with diligence, attaining this Samādhi will not be difficult.

Commentary

In Thrangu Rinpoche's commentary, he first points out that after chapter 25 the sūtra shifts from from teachings on samadhi to focusing on the conduct of a bodhisattva. In this chapter, the Buddha advises Candraprabha that to cultivate samadhi, a bodhisattva should regard all sentient beings as their own relatives. They should sincerely rejoice in others' happiness and virtuous actions without any envy or jealousy, fostering a pure and compassionate heart.

The opposite of this attitude are envy and jealousy, which are disruptive emotions rooted in selfish desires and attachment. These feelings cause one to disdain the happiness and virtues of others, thinking they themselves should possess such happiness. For bodhisattvas, it's essential to abandon these negative emotions to progress spiritually.

To that end, bodhisattvas are encouraged to celebrate the good deeds and happiness of all individuals, including ordinary people not on any spiritual path. They should also rejoice in the efforts of śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas, who seek personal liberation from saṃsāra, acknowledging their admirable but limited goals. Above all, they honor fellow bodhisattvas who strive to liberate all beings, practicing the four immeasurables and the six paramitās. By rejoicing in others' virtues, practitioners strengthen their own samādhi. This positive attitude helps eliminate negative emotions that hinder spiritual development, creating a supportive mental environment that enhances concentration and progress toward awakening.

Discussion

• Reflect on ways to cultivate rejoicing in others' virtues in our daily lives.