Julian of Norwich and Other Tibetan Lamas

Amid all this consider what tranquility was preserved in that most sweet breast, what loving kindness it exhibited. He pays no attention to the wrongs done to him, takes no notice of the pain, disregards the insults, but rather has compassion on those who are making him suffer, heals those who are wounding him, wins life for those who are killing him. With what sweetness of disposition, with what devotion of spirit, in what fullness of charity he cries: ‘Father, forgive them.’ (Aelred of Rievaulx, 1110–1167) ₁

When others out of jealousy / Treat me wrongly with abuse and slander, / I shall train to take the defeat upon myself / And give the victory to others. (Langri Thangpa, 1054-1123) ₂

Regardless of whether we are to blame, if others slander us or speak ill of us out of jealousy or other motive, instead of harboring resentment, we should respond with a gentle mind. Free of resentment, we should refrain from claiming, for instance, ‘I am innocent. Others are to be blamed.’ Like Langri Thangpa, we should take defeat upon ourselves. It is said that when misfortunes befell another, he would say, ‘I too am a part of him.’ (Chekawa Yeshe Dorje, 1102-1176) ₃

Endnotes

1. Aelred of Rievaulx, “A Rule of Life for Recluse.” Translated by Mary Paul Macpherson. Aelred of Reivaulx: Treatises and The Pastoral Prayer. Ed. M. Basil Pennington. Kalamazoo: Cistercian Publications, 1971, page 90.
2. Langri Thangpa, “Eight Verses of Mind Training,” Mind Training: The Great Collection. Compiled by Shonu Gyalchok and Konchok Gyaltsen. Translated and edited by Thupten Jinpa. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2006, page 275.
3. Chekawa, “A Commentary on ‘Eight Verses on Mind Training,” Mind Training: The Great Collection. Compiled by Shonu Gyalchok and Konchok Gyaltsen. Translated and edited by Thupten Jinpa. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2006, pages 284.