Eight Worldly Dharmas

HH Jigme Phuntsok Rinpoche

Some people think they are free from the eight worldly dharmas and are critical of others whom they think fall below such standards.  Actually, such a critical attitude is in itself the greatest worldly dharma.  This person is already entangled in the eight worldly dharma and is not any better than the person he is disapproving of.

For instance, when people make offerings to him, although he says that he doesn’t want it, he actually hopes for it in his heart.  This is a worldly dharma. 

Some monastics are particularly attached. They seem to decline anyone’s show of respect for them.  When others set up a throne or high seat for them, they are unwilling to sit on these seats. This is also a worldly dharma.

Also, some people make a show of being humble in front of others, trying to prove that they are free from worldly concerns, hoping that by doing so others will praise them.  This is still a worldly dharma.

(Eight worldly dharmas: wishing for gain, avoiding loss; wishing for a good reputation, avoiding disgrace; wishing for pleasure, avoiding pain; wishing for praise, avoiding criticism. Basically this refers to clinging to the present life with attachment and aversion. 

It is said that only a first bhumi Bodhisattva and above can truly be free from the eight worldly dharmas although a genuine practitioner should still try to reduce and renounce them.)