Reactions to the 8 Verses of Thought Transformation and 5 Remembrances

5. When others, out of jealousy,
Mistreat me with abuse, slander and so on,
I will practice accepting defeat
And offering the victory to them.

Every time I read this verse, I always contemplate what it means to “practice accepting defeat” and “offering the victory”. Does it mean to accept what they have said and move on or to simply just avoid and ignore them altogether? For example, if somebody insults or abuses me, I would get angry but get over it or ignore what they have said, because I believe I should be the “bigger” person by not saying or doing anything at all. Does that mean I have accepted defeat and offered them the victory because I have decided to not “fight” back? If the answer is “yes”, then I think “accepting defeat” and “offering the victory to them” mean to let go of your ego by not getting angry and retaliating when somebody talks bad about you.

6. When someone I have benefited
And in whom I have placed great trust
Hurts me very badly,
I will practice seeing that person as my supreme teacher.

If somebody I have helped and trusted betrayed or backstabbed me, I would get angry and would definitely never see that person as “my supreme teacher”. Hence it's very hard for me to practice this, but what does it really mean to be one's supreme teacher? For instance, is the person a supreme teacher because he/she is teaching us to be accepting and patient instead of being furious? If so, I think “seeing that person as my supreme teacher” means to be patient and to learn that nobody is perfect because they are just normal people like us.

These two verses definitely relate with each other because they both deal with people hurting you and learning to let go and be patient. Thus to me, they are very hard to accomplish but I know they will be extremely valuable when I do though. So I just want to thank Venerable Tenzin Kacho for introducing and discussing these 8 Verses of Thought Transformation with us.

- Treasurer Lisa