Rice Seedling Sutra

By Yeshe Thabkhe

Book Description

The ancient wisdom of cause and effect comes alive in this profound exploration of one of Buddhism's most essential teachings. When the Buddha encountered a simple rice seedling, he saw within it the fundamental law that governs all existence, from the natural world to the deepest workings of consciousness and karma.

Drawing from this timeless sutra, Geshe Yeshe Thabkhe illuminates how understanding dependent arising can transform our relationship with suffering and awakening. Just as a seed requires no conscious intention to sprout when conditions align, our sense experiences arise naturally when we encounter the world around us. This same principle, the Buddha taught, explains how our actions create consequences and how enlightenment itself unfolds when the proper circumstances come together.

Thabkhe brings exceptional depth to this teaching, having been among the final generation of scholars trained in pre-occupation Tibet. His decades of experience teaching Western students, combined with his scholarly work translating classical commentaries, allows him to present these concepts with remarkable clarity and authority. He skillfully distinguishes the Buddhist understanding of dependent arising from other philosophical traditions while exploring the rich diversity of interpretations within Buddhism itself.

This accessible yet profound work offers readers a gateway into understanding how the law of causality operates in both our spiritual development and daily experience, providing practical wisdom for anyone seeking deeper insight into the nature of reality.