Lesson 33

The Sutra of Great Liberation L33 33

In this session, Khenpo Sodargye explores the heart of gratitude and the practical ways we can repay the kindness of the Buddha. Drawing on stories of Prince Virtuous to See and the collective confession of three thousand followers, the teaching weaves together ancient verses, the importance of relying on wise teachers, and the subtle art of genuine practice. The lesson highlights eight concrete ways to express gratitude—not just through ritual, but through study, ethical conduct, aspiration, generosity, and the transmission of wisdom to others. With reflections on the value of deep learning, the transformative power of intention, and the enduring influence of translators like Kumārajīva, this talk invites us to see spiritual life as a dynamic process of connection, humility, and renewal. In a world of distractions and uncertainty, the courage to repay kindness—through both action and understanding—becomes a profound source of meaning.

Teachings by Khenpo Sodargye.The Sutra of Great Liberation is a profound scripture taught by the Buddha near the time of his parinirvana. It is treasured in nearly every Tibetan household, where it is commonly recited for 49 days to help the deceased attain liberation. The sutra is filled with the sacred names of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and merely hearing or reciting them brings inconceivable merit. Khenpo Sodargye was deeply moved since childhood by witnessing a kind elderly man devotedly reciting this sutra daily, thus forming a profound connection with it. Through confession and practice of this sutra, one can purify negative karma and attain Buddhahood—it is truly an extraordinary path to liberation.