Episode 94 - What Would Love Have Me Do?

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What is joyous perseverance (effort)?</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“When you have focused upon something virtuous, joyous perseverance is enthusiasm for it. Engaging in the Bodhisattva Deeds says:</span></p> <p> </p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">What is joyous perseverance? It is delight in virtue. </span></em></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bodhisattva Levels explains it as a flawless state of mind that is enthusiastic about accumulating virtue and working for the welfare of living beings, together with the physical, verbal, and mental activity such a state of mind motivates.” —Je Tsongkhapa (reference below)</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Joyous perseverance is supreme among virtues; Based on it, you subsequently attain the rest. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One who has joyous perseverance</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Is not brought down </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">By prosperity, afflictions, </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Discouragement, or petty attainments.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">—Ornament for the Mahāyāna Sūtras </span></p> <p> </p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">As rust corrupts </span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The very iron that formed it, </span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">So transgressions lead </span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Their doer to states of woe</span></em></p> <p> </p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Oral teachings become corrupted when not recited,</span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Homes become corrupted by inactivity,</span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sloth corrupts physical beauty,</span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Negligence corrupts a guardian. (</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Verse 241)</span></p> <p><strong>—Buddha, Th