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The Vimalakirti Sutra
Why would a bodhisattva become ill? In Lesson 27 of The Vimalakirti Sutra, Khenpo Sodargye explains Vimalakirti's profound teaching on illness, compassion, and emptiness.
Unlike ordinary illness, a bodhisattva's illness arises from great compassion. When beings suffer, the bodhisattva does not turn away, but manifests suffering as a way to guide, comfort, and awaken them.
This lesson also explores Vimalakirti's empty room, his lack of attendants, the meaning of “servants” as maras and non-Buddhist paths, and how illness can be examined through the wisdom of emptiness.
What you will discover
① Why Vimalakirti appeared to be ill ② How bodhisattva illness differs from ordinary illness ③ Why “when beings are sick, the bodhisattva is sick ④ What Vimalakirti's empty room reveals about emptiness ⑤ How illness can be understood through body, mind, and the four elements