Exchanging ourselves and others

Exchanging ourselves and others (Wyl. bdag gzhan brje ba) - the practice of exchanging ourselves and others, which follows the practice of equalizing ourselves and others, was described by Nagarjuna in the Precious Garland and by Shantideva in chapter 8 of the Bodhicharyavatara. It is also taught in texts such as Patrul Rinpoche's Words of My Perfect Teacher, as part of the precepts of the bodhichitta in aspiration.

Subdivisions

There are said to be four types of exchange:

1. the exchange of the self-cherishing itself,
2. the exchange of the body as the basis for the imputation of the self,
3. the exchange of happiness and suffering, and
4. the exchange of negative and positive actions,

The first three of these four are mentioned in Chapter 8 of the Bodhicharyavatara. The Precious Garland mentions the fourth when it says:

May their misdeeds ripen on me,

And all my virtues ripen on them.

Commentary

Chökyi Drakpa wrote:

"Secondly, the way to meditate on exchanging self and others is to practise giving happiness and receiving suffering as you breathe in and out (the practice of tonglen). No matter what unwanted suffering comes your way, focus on wishing to take on the suffering of others as well. Train your mind in this practice, which is illustrated by the story of Daughter, and the Buddha pulling a wagon in the hell realm."