How to Practice Patience | Buddhism In English

Summary

This video explores the Buddhist concept of patience, emphasizing its importance as one of the highest virtues. It explains that true patience is not merely about enduring discomfort but requires understanding life’s impermanence, suffering, and the nature of non-self. Patience, as taught by the Buddha, involves responding to adversity without anger or retaliation, even in the face of hardship or rudeness. The video encourages viewers to practice patience by accepting life’s challenges and recognizing the fleeting nature of negative emotions, leading to peace and wisdom.

Takeaways

• 😀 Patience is considered the greatest virtue in Buddhism, according to the Buddha's teachings.
• 😀 True patience goes beyond tolerance; it involves controlling one's emotions and reactions, especially anger.
• 😀 Patience in Buddhism is not passive; it requires active practice, not just theoretical knowledge.
• 😀 The Buddha defines patience as enduring hardships like hunger, physical pain, criticism, and external discomforts without retaliating.
• 😀 Real patience is about mastering the inner 'beast' of anger and not letting it control your actions or thoughts.
• 😀 Practicing patience requires deep understanding and a strong sense of life’s impermanence and nature.
• 😀 The Buddha teaches patience through the lens of the three marks of existence: impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anatta).
• 😀 Recognizing impermanence helps let go of anger because nothing, including unpleasant experiences, lasts forever.
• 😀 Suffering is an inherent part of life, and learning to accept and cope with it is key to practicing patience.
• 😀 The concept of non-self teaches that we cannot control everything in life, and accepting this helps in letting go of frustration and impatience.

Q & A

Why is patience difficult to practice, according to the speaker?

Patience is difficult to practice because it is easier to talk about and advise others to be patient, but actually enduring adversity and challenges requires inner strength and is a real test of one's character.

What is the significance of patience in Buddhism?

In Buddhism, patience is considered one of the greatest virtues. Buddha teaches that it is a powerful inner quality that brings peace, happiness, and calmness to life, especially in times of adversity.

What does Buddha say about patience in Dhammapada Verse 84?

Buddha says in Dhammapada Verse 84 that 'Patience is the highest virtue.' He emphasizes that true patience is not just about enduring, but about responding with calm and wisdom instead of anger.

What is the true practice of patience, according to the Buddha?

The true practice of patience is enduring physical discomfort, emotional pain, criticism, and adversity without retaliating or becoming angry. It involves controlling one's emotions and actions, even when provoked.

How does Buddhism view the act of enduring adversity or criticism?

In Buddhism, enduring adversity or criticism without reacting negatively is seen as a manifestation of true patience. It’s about maintaining composure and avoiding harm in response to challenges.

What is the difference between enduring out of fear and true patience in Buddhism?

Enduring out of fear is not considered true patience, because it stems from a lack of choice or power. True patience, on the other hand, comes from understanding and controlling one's anger and emotions in the face of adversity.

What role does self-belief play in practicing patience?

Believing in your own higher qualities and the strength to handle adversity allows you to practice patience. It encourages a mindset where you know that reacting with anger or harm is not in alignment with your true nature.

What are the Three Marks of Existence, and how do they relate to practicing patience?

The Three Marks of Existence are impermanence (Anicca), suffering (Dukkha), and non-self (Anatta). Understanding these principles helps in practicing patience by accepting the transient nature of situations, seeing suffering as part of life, and recognizing that not everything is within our control.

How does understanding impermanence help in letting go of anger?

Understanding impermanence helps by reminding us that everything, including negative emotions like anger, is temporary. Realizing that the situation and the words that upset us will pass makes it easier to let go of anger and practice patience.

What does Buddha teach about suffering in relation to patience?

Buddha teaches that suffering is an inherent part of life. Rather than avoiding or being overwhelmed by it, we should learn to accept and deal with suffering, which in turn helps cultivate patience.

What does the concept of non-self (Anatta) teach about patience?

The concept of non-self (Anatta) teaches that not everything is within our control. By recognizing that we cannot control others' actions or situations, we can release frustration and focus on practicing patience in response to life's challenges.

How can understanding the Three Marks of Existence help someone deal with rudeness or criticism?

By applying the Three Marks of Existence, one can understand that rudeness or criticism is impermanent, part of life's suffering, and beyond their control. This perspective helps them to remain patient, let go of anger, and not be affected by negativity.