Verse 15: When publicly humiliated: see a teacher

At the height of anger, recall bodhicitta and resolve — even at cost of death — not to answer abuse with abuse. Anger is illness, patience the operation; the abuser is "a true and accomplished master" — "it is because of him that we are able to subdue our anger." Notes he himself recited this text daily for 14–15 years and still reflects on it every day.

Opens with the childhood board-game anecdote (the "yearlong meditator" with a robe over his head), then: we cannot see our own faults, and the Dharma is a mirror — the exposer functions as a great guru. The inversion aphorisms: "Praise is good, but criticism is better"; happiness eats past merit, suffering drives us to Dharma.

The critic is a schoolteacher pointing out errors — hiding faults blocks all progress. Model: the Dalai Lama laughing off his own slips — "Thank you. That was a slip of the tongue" — non-defensive acknowledgment as the practice.

Like a guru who deliberately humbles students to restrain pride; accurate criticism diminishes arrogance, the true adversary. Cites Vairochana and Namkhai Nyingpo accepting exile as beneficial solitude.

Suppress the retaliation impulse and you may find the criticism accurate; progress is impossible without courage to face hidden faults — "The best spiritual friend is one who attacks your hidden faults" (Atisha). Closes with the Buddha's four principles: don't return abuse for abuse, anger for anger, exposure for exposure, blows for blows.

Winter Retreat vv10–15 talk.

Tricycle v15 (partially visible): shame arises from violating core values; distinguishes healthy shame from "toxic shame" rooted in childhood conditioning — and notes "to cause shame to another is usually a cause for regret," questioning shaming as a teaching method. Talk 6.