The Eight Worldly Concerns or Eight Worldly Dharmas

(Tibetan) ‘jig rten chos brgyad

Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche often reminds us to check our own practice and
progress. He recommends that we take to heart the advice to abandon the
eight worldly concerns, or eight worldly dharmas. In the November 6, 2015
live-streamed meditation retreat from Singapore, Rinpoche again asked us to
evaluate our own entanglement in these worldly concerns.

These four pairs are often expressed as four hopes and four fears, but they are
also expressions of attachment (hope) and aversion (fear). Rinpoche regularly
discusses hope and fear and how these are obstacles on the path. Take some
time to reflect on these pairs and to understand how they impeded our
realization of the natural state. Reflection on these pairs helps us understand
how much stress and suffering are caused by our wish to achieve or avoid these
very impermanent states.

● desire or hope for pleasure or happiness and fear of suffering or pain

● desire or hope for fame and fear of a bad reputation or infamy
● desire or hope for praise and fear of blame
● desire or hope for gain and fear of loss