Stress Management Techniques for University Students

This is a lecture by Khenpo Sodargye at the School of Literature and Journalism, Sichuan University on October 29, 2013, on the theme of "Stress Management Techniques for University Students." Khenpo's core argument: stress is a form of "suffering from not obtaining what one desires," originating from craving rather than external circumstances. Buddhist wisdom for coping includes: having few desires and being content—Plato said "greed is the truest poverty, contentment is the truest wealth," and monastics are most carefree because they have few desires; understanding impermanence—everything including emotions will change, and having mental preparation in advance prevents excessive suffering; cultivating altruism—Master Wude taught "if you have fame, serve society; if you have love, offer dedication and forbearance; if you have wealth, give to sentient beings," only then can you be happy. Key insight: those with heavy selfishness suffer most, while altruism radiates kindness and warmth, naturally eliminating stress. Khenpo uses the Rockefeller case to illustrate: transforming selfishness into altruism not only brings happiness but also extends life. He emphasizes that studying Buddhism enables one to master methods for taming the mind, where a single phrase can resolve the most vexing problems.