THE ART OF HAPPINESS.

FREQUENTLY happiness

THE ART of Happiness

Dalai Lama

Dr. Howard C. Cutler

Nguyen Duc translated

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PART 5.

Mike a final A SPIRITUAL LIFE

Chapter 15

SPIRIT OF BASIC VALUES

Art of happiness has many factors. As we have seen, this art began by promoting thorough understanding of the true cause of happiness and to the selection of the priority order of life based on the original authorization to cultivate it. We need internal rules, need a process to eradicate the roots of mental states is calculated to destroy and slowly replaced by the positive / body building as love, tolerance and forgiveness . To identify factors that lead to a fulfilling life and comfort, we will discuss the factors used as the final conclusion: Spirituality.

People tend to consider spiritual and religious capital is. The view of the Dalai Lama of happiness has been shaped by the long years of rigorous training to become a Buddhist monk. He also proclaims the birth of Buddhism as an erudite scholar. However, for most, profound understanding of the complex philosophical problems of the Dalai Lama is not the charm factor, which is the popular, humorous and warm in His nature was obtained for the human heart. In fact, in all of our talk, the basic humanity of the Dalai Lama was towering above the other aspects including the role of His priests. While shaving, dressed in white matter, either one of the faces of our religion, the voice of the Dalai Lama in my dialogues with merely one voice among people with a people, to discuss the issues that people share.

To help us understand the true meaning of spirituality, the Dalai Lama began to explain the difference between spirituality and religion:

"I think the key point is that we must cherish the human potential and awareness of the importance of inner transformation. But this can be achieved through a process known as the mind develops of. Sometimes, I call this the spiritual dimension of life.

"It can be divided into two levels of spirituality. The first level is linked to religion. The world of class we have many different people and different inclinations. We have 5 billion of people and in some ways, I think we need 5 billion different religions to meet the different inclinations. I believe that everyone needs a roadmap for spiritual suit inclinations, preferences, like nature, temperament, faith, family and social context of their own ...

"For example, my example, as a Buddhist monk to Buddhist, I was most appropriate and, therefore, for me, Buddhism is the best. But this does not mean that Buddhism would be nice for everyone. It is clear that such and such sure. If I think Buddhism is best religion of all people, then it is a crazy idea because the orientation of each person is different each other. So many people need to be more religious. The goal of religion is to serve people so if we have only one religion, the goal for which will extinguish after a while. Just as the goods only provide a food day in and day out, I'm sure after some time, customers will no longer cover. People need and enjoy many different foods because people have different tastes. Also same way as such, religion is to nurture the human spirit, I think we should welcome a diversity of religions and accept many different religions. There are many who see Judaism , Christianity or Islam is suitable for them, so we must accept and respect the spiritual values ​​of the important traditions of different religions in the world.

"All major religions are a useful contribution to the maintenance of human interests. The traditions are invented to make people happy and make this world a better place more beautiful. However, to the religion can accomplish this goal, each of us to practice the teachings of all the attention. People have to combine the teachings of his life in any circumstances to use them as a source circuit of the internal capacity. People also need to gain a deep understanding of the ideologies of religion, not only on the level of knowledge but the deep feelings, the inner experience.

"I believe we can promote the feeling of reverence for all the different religious traditions. One rationale is that all of these traditional supply patterns to ethical our behavioral as well as the positive effects of them. In Christian tradition, for example, in the Christian faith are considered exemplary ethics clearly and decisively to user actions and lifestyle improvement people. This is a very strong tendency for the correlation in the relationship between man and God, the God has created the human race, as well as ways of expressing his love of children of us as love and compassion for fellow human beings.

"There are many reason why we should respect the different religious traditions. All the great religions has provided immeasurable benefits to billions of people through thousands of years in the past. On the stage at this stage, several million people still enjoyed the benefits and inspiration from these traditions under one form or another. obviously so. And then in the future, all major religions continues source for millions of people vibe of the next generation. The fact is so. So we must respect and acknowledge the vital role of religion.

"One can strengthen mutual respect between different faith through personal communication. In the past few years, I tried to interact and dialogue with the Christian community as well as Judaism and I had been very positive results. The form of communication is so close, we can learn about useful contribution to humanity of this religion, which explores the ways in which we can be shared from a different religion. Develop the glue to bind together religion is essential because through this connection, will cause us to make a common effort for the welfare human populations.

"Our world is too divided and too confusing. Religion is the dose to reduce conflict and human suffering, not make them worse.

"We hear that all galaxies are equal. Having said that, it is clear that we mean that everyone would be happy. Everyone has the right to make a man happy and all Everyone has the right to conquer negativity. So if we find happiness or welfare of a religious tradition that we must respect the rights (to find happiness or welfare of a different religion) of others. Therefore, it is clear that we must pay homage to the great religions of mankind. "

During the week of speeches the Dalai Lama in Tucson, the spirit of mutual respect had better expectations of everyone. The audience of this talk includes many important religious traditions are different, in that a large number of Christian clergy. Despite differences of belief and an atmosphere of peace and harmony had covered the auditorium, it is clear that there are tangible. People talk to each other and even those who are not Buddhists nor expresses doubts about the daily spiritual practices of the Dalai Lama. A curious listeners were asked:

"Whether they are Buddhist or not, the prayer will be emphasized to everyone. Why is prayer so important in spiritual life?"

Dalai Lama replied: "I think the key to prayer is a daily reminder of the internal rules and our beliefs. I personally repeated teachings of the great enlightened level a day. The question may sound like a prayer, but actually just a reminder. Reminders on how to talk with others, reminding how to communicate with others, reminding how to deal with the problems in daily life ... So in my prayers, mostly reminders about important things like compassion, forgiveness and of course also includes a meditation on the nature of things , meditation. Every day I pray about 4 hours. Just so long right? "

Listen to the Dalai Lama used four hours per day for prayer, a different audience asked: "I am a mother with four children and I work full time should have very little free time. How how to find time for prayer and meditation for busy people like me? "

Dalai Lama replied, "As soon as my case, if you want, I could also complain that not enough time. I am very busy but if deliberately, we have created in my spare time as such early morning; or on weekends, we can sacrifice a few hobbies, right? " The Dalai Lama smiled and said, "The place I think at least half an hour each day. Or if you try harder, we might spend 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening. If the heart, you will find the hours you want.

"However, if you think very carefully about the true meaning of the work of spiritual practice, we will find it means the promotion and training the mind, attitude, psychological state, emotional and ego again. Do not limit the understanding of spiritual practice into our physical actions or words of like prayer or chanting. If that spiritual practice is limited to those activities Such is the course we need to separate the time, a certain time of day because no one could cook just wash over the notes are just prayers. The surroundings will think you mad or something crazy. But if imbued with the true meaning of spiritual practices, we can use all 24 hours of a day. True spirituality is a mental attitude that we can practice on at any time . Rate as realized themselves in situations that can make someone insulted the alert and immediately made ​​to not do that. Or take the case calmly, feeling anger moderate rise then immediately wakes up and tell myself 'no, this is not the appropriate solution'. If you understand that, then any time we can also spiritual practice, there is always the hours of practice.

"It made me think Potowa, a Tibetan teacher. The said that for the practitioner has achieved a certain degree of inner stillness and awareness, any event, a what their experience has gone through all the lessons. It's learning experience and I think this is very true.

"From this perspective, even when we are faced with the plight disturbed mind disorders such as film / television violence and sex, people can view them with a clear awareness to recognize the effects of transition effects. Thus, instead of being surrounded the circumstances, we can see they are sealed dangers of negative emotions unchecked means we are still learning be asked. "

But as a practitioner of Buddhist spiritual baggage of the Dalai Lama, of course, have many characteristics of the Buddha. For example, when talking about the everyday practice, the Dalai Lama talks of visualizations to the nature of reality, along with some other method of contemplation. In the discussion, the Dalai Lama said only through the felt, the restaurant allows it, but over the years, I had occasion to hear his interpretation intimately on the subject, the lecture extremely complex complex and confusing. The Dalai Lama has said about the nature of reality with the analytical and philosophical debate than enough to make people confused, the expression of complex Tantric enables consistent and detailed to the point do not understand, visualize on the target only in the imagination of man ... Dalai Lama to study and practice this allows consistent throughout life. Understand the efforts of the Dalai Lama has a vast range of high and extreme, I asked: "Can you explain the practical benefits of the spiritual practice in daily life?"

Dalai Lama silent for a moment and replied: "Even without much experience, I can guess something is through the practice of Buddhism, my mind was much more quiet though changes occur very slowly, probably each segment, each glass one. There is a distinct change in my attitude towards others and with myself. Although it is difficult to give reasons of this change, I think his attitude was deeply affected by perception, a perception, though not yet complete but very sure about the true nature of reality. I would also be affected by observe the subjects like impermanence, suffering and the value of kindness, selflessness.

"So, when thinking of the Chinese Communists raged mourning for Tibetans, with the achievements obtained through the Buddhist practice of directing, I was a pitiful act even with those who tortured sinner because I understand that these people have been driven by the negative power. In addition, the bodhisattva vow behavior [1] that I was pursuing that I could not feel or think that someone adverse consequences to receive or not receive happy to have negative behavior. The behavior of this prayer has helped me develop compassion, has proved extremely useful, so of course I cherish them.

"I remember a high priest who has lived in Namgyal monastery. The Chinese were arrested on charges of political prisoners in the past 20 years. On one occasion I was asked during detention, circumstances are considered the most difficult and I was extremely impressed when he said that the greatest risk is to lose compassion for the Chinese.

"There is plenty more. 3 hours ago, I met a monk who had lived many years in Chinese prison. At the time of the Tibetan uprising against Chinese invasion in 1959, the monk was 24 years old and joined the patriotic forces in Norbulinga. He was arrested along with three other brothers and three people have been killed in prison. Two other brothers of his were also Communist Chinese and later killed his parents died in the camps forced hard labor. During his imprisonment, he told me he had prudence to reflect on life and has come to the conclusion that the duration of life in Drepung monastery, he did not deserve to be a monk but a foolish person. In his new prison vows to try to become a true monk. Do results of training the mind and practice Buddhist Circuit, the monk had suffered the terrible pain of the body. In these times of torture and beatings extremely miserable by the guards who United, he remained calm think this is an opportunity to purge the industry of the past obstacles and has survived to this day.

"Through these examples, we can understand the precious value of spiritual practice in daily life of people."

Thus, the Dalai Lama was referring to the last element of the happy life: The spiritual dimension. Through the teachings of the Buddha, the Dalai Lama as well as many others have found a meaningful structure to help them experience great and sometimes transform the pain and sorrow that life has brought to human life. And like the Dalai Lama have argued, the great religions have devoted the same opportunity to help people have a happier life. The power of faith which is the traditional religion developed to a very large dimensions and have sealed the lives of millions of people. Countless cases where people have survived a difficult period due to religious beliefs. This sometimes happens quietly in a small range but also occur on a time scale dimension and louder. At some point in life, everyone in every occasion we have seen or know the existence of this power is going to a family member, friend or acquaintance.

Sometimes, specific examples of the power of religious faith have appeared on the front page of newspapers. Many of us remember the case of Terry Anderson, a very ordinary people kidnapped on the streets of Beirut (the capital of Lebanon) one morning in 1985. Hezbollah, a group of mainstream Muslim extremists have suddenly taken a blanket to the top of Terry, sending him into a car and drove away through seven long years detention. By 1991, Terry was in a solitary confinement cell dirty and damp, blindfolded and chained chains as well as torture and daily beatings. When released, the world turned and realized a very happy because Terry was reunited with his family, get back to life. But the world was also surprised to see Terry expressed little bitterness or hatred for those who have kidnapped him. When reporters asked about the cause of this extraordinary power, Terry said that faith and prayer are the primary agents helped him cope with adversity.

No shortage of cases in which religious belief has a firm fulcrum for us at danger. And today, the collection also widely recognized that faith can help us greatly in reaching a happy life. The study by experts and other independent organizations (such as company Gallup) showed that religious people (any religion) tend to be more than happy and satisfied with life than those who do not have faith. It was found that faith not only helps us but also the joy of helping people cope with old age, those in difficult circumstances or personal crises a more effective way. Furthermore, statistics also indicate that families with strong religious beliefs are less female delinquency, alcoholism, drug abuse and marital disruption. They also found evidence that the strength of religious belief is to help people promote health, including those with the illness. In fact, hundreds of scientific studies have established the link between religious faith, death and low physical improvement. In a collection, some old lady with a strong faith has come further after hip surgery compared to the others and they are also less prone to depression after surgery.

Ronna Casar Harris and Mary Amanda Dew of the University Medical Center in Pittsburgh in a study has found that patients with religious beliefs instead of looking after the regime has accepted post-surgical nursing in a better while demonstrating a healthy mentally and physically superior in public schools. In a different study, Dr. Thomas Oxman and colleagues at Dartmouth Medical School found that patients over 55 years of age have faith, had surgery on the disease related to heart, capable of living errors three times higher than those without religious belief.

The support may benefit from faith is the direct product of some traditional doctrinal and religious differences. Many Buddhists have endured the suffering for believing strongly in the doctrine of karma. Likewise, those who have nothing to shake the belief of God is also experiencing the tribulations by trust in God almighty and loving, believing that his intentions may be confidential with us in the present but in the end, in the knowledge learned in his shirt, God will show mercy to our presentation. With all the faith in the teachings of the Bible, one can find solace when reading passages such as Romans 8:28 "Everything is arranged close to the good for those who love God base, for those who are called by the salvation of his goals. "

Although there are rewards based on dogma and unique characteristics of each individual faith traditions, the characteristics of the power of faith by creating a common character in all religions. Participate in the activities of religious organizations makes people feel connected with the community, have the interest and share with fellow believers. It felt like a team, be accepted by others and make themselves seen and life goals and meaning. The confidence this gives us hope when faced with adversity, suffering and death. We help people to accept an eternal perspective that allows people to overcome their ego to be overwhelmed by the difficulties of life.

Although the benefits of this vital support is always available to those who practice the dogma of the faith have formed long on the ground, it is also clear that religious faith is not enough to ensure a happiness and peace. Now when Terry sat in solitary confinement with chains on his experience and is the power of religious belief is out there, violent attack by rage and hatred of the crowd have demonstrated the contribution of the evil power of belief. Over how many years in Lebanon, in the name of religion, hate war and violence between groups of Muslims against Christians and Jews that led to the brutal could not speak. This story is too old, has been repeated many times in history and still is mentioned too often in modern life.

Because the ability to divide and hatred, one could lose confidence in the mechanism of religion, and the big picture of religion as the Dalai Lama tried to purify the elements of life spiritual desire to meet anyone who wants a happy life, not to mention one religion or another or one religion or without religion.

The Dalai Lama ended his talk with his perspective on life with a spiritual tone confident and strong:

"Thus, when talking about the spiritual dimension of life, we have to mention religious faith as a spiritual level. Speaking of religion, if we believe in a religion, then there is a good thing. But if there is no religious faith, we have a solution. In many cases, people have more success there. But this is the right of each person. Now we're talking about to another level which I call 'spiritual base to' is the fundamental qualities of man as the good, gentle, loving and caring. Whether a believer or not, the spiritual basis are essential to this. I personally think that this second level is more important than the first level so much that even a great religion to where matter is only accepted by some, a small part of humanity. In all, each member of the human community needs to value the spirit of this fundamental. Without them, the survival of mankind is dry and hard, and consequently none of us are happy, the whole family will suffer consequences, and finally, society is disturbed. So that cultivate the spiritual value to this base is extremely critical .

"To promote the basic values ​​of this spirit, we need to remember that out of the 5 billion people living on the ground, only 1 or 2 billion who fervently believe in religion. When it private fervently thoughts, I do not mean including those outside the mouth is saying 'I am a Christian "just because they follow the Christian family, but in daily life are less to think about spiritual values or practice of Christian dogma. If a person other than the class, perhaps the one billion people who practice and believe with all the enthusiasm in their religion. This means that the remaining 4 billion , the majority of human beings on this earth do not believe in religion and we must find ways to improve the spiritual life of the majority of mankind so that they become good people, moral, ethical, without to faith.

"I think that here, the role of education is essential: Make people imbued with kindness, air drill is the basic qualities of human beings, not just the goals of religion . So far we have discussed quite fully the importance of warmth, affection, compassion for physical health, happiness and peace of mind. The feeling is the real target but is not the religion or the principles of philosophical thought. They are the key issues and also the essence of dogma in the different religions. There follow or not follow a religion, these objectives remain equal relations and education have an obligation to emphasize the idea that humans have a pretty good guess that, with the responsibility and commitment to make this world becomes a place

better and happier without religion.

"Generally, there are external forms of identification for people who are following a religion or a spiritual way of life such as clothing, home altars, ritual dances or is ... the indicated peripheral. The publication of this document, however, only plays a secondary to the basic moral values ​​to build a true spiritual life that people take seriously because of his state of mind negative is easy to follow and practice these symbols. Only the publication of a new spiritual realism makes people become more calm, happier and more peaceful.

"All the virtues of the mind - kindness, tolerance, forgiveness, concern - is the true law, is the true value of the spiritual community because they do not exist with the emotional and mental harm the negative. So, engaging in work or training methods intrinsic principles is the essence of religious life, the principles aim to cultivate the mind active. So we have achieved a spiritual life or not depends on whether we succeed or not on the job training and taming the mind, consciousness, relaying this to everyday life. "

By the time the Dalai Lama attended a small reception was held to honor a benefactor has strong support for the campaign to help Tibet. Outside the reception room, crowded with guests gathered to welcome the Dalai Lama and as close to the opening, the crowd was full of. In the audience, I found a face that I had met several times this week. Foreign presence of his very difficult to determine age, but I guess around 25, almost 30, tall and very thin. Cheer slanted outward diffusion of this caught my eye to look anxious, severely depressed facial (which I often found in psychiatric patients). I also found the constant movement and without the intention of the perioral muscles in man. I think of Tardic Dyskinesia, a neurological effects resulting from the use of anti-psychiatric disorders in a long time. I said to myself "Poor!" and then forgot about him after that.

When the Dalai Lama appeared, the crowd which had packed that nearly everyone wants to greet him. Security guards, most of them volunteers, have been very hard to resist pushing most of the guests to keep the space for the Dalai Lama come to the reception. The man suddenly appeared earlier in my eyes, he was the crowd pressed close to the line of guards and face looks more insecure, confused. At the Dalai Lama walked by, he saw the man. He looked at him, separate from cloud to protect and to talk with this man. At first he seemed surprised, but then quickly said the Dalai Lama while he is only very little response. So far it does not stand to hear them talk to each other but what I see as the man said as road seemed agitated, confused. He asked a question something and instead of answering, the Dalai Lama held his hand between his hands, pat. He stood still and bowed in a moment. When the hand grip and eye man, the Dalai Lama as the crowd forget the guests are surrounded Him. Pain and agitation facial gentle man would suddenly go out when two tears rolled down on the corner of her eye and cheek bone. He smiled but still awkward and feeble, the eyes reveal the man who looks comfortable and joyful.

The Dalai Lama has repeatedly stressed that the principle is the basis of inner spiritual life, that they are an indispensable means to achieve happiness. As discussed throughout the book, according to his position, the internal rules include the fight against the negative state of mind such as greed, hatred, SI and promote the positive aspects as gentleness, kindness, tolerance. He also said that a happy life is built on the foundation of peace, no agitation of the mind. Work practices internal rules may include meditation techniques to help our minds to be stable and quiet. Most spiritual traditions around the world are closed to the silence of the mind, helps us instinctively touched her deep spirituality. To end the week with a public talk in Arizona, the Dalai Lama led an audience in order to allow consistent basis for understanding the nature of the mind and help us secure / retreat.

Looking around the auditorium, the Dalai Lama began to speak with style like talking, is guiding each person, not told the crowd. There was as real as attention, sometimes describing very active with movements such as nods, gestures, leaning audience receptive to help ease his expression.

Contemplation on THE BODY OF THE CENTER

"The goal of this custom is to allow us to identify the nature of human consciousness." Dalai Lama begins: "At least on common aspects. Normally, when it comes to mind as we talk about an abstract idea. If there are no direct experience, it is common for TAM = TRI is our brain, or if to offer a definition, we will say that it is capable of understanding, something clearly aware [2] ). But if you do not catch the nature of the mind by observation, this definition is the empty word. So to understand the mind by direct experience, not in the abstract. The purpose of this bar is allowed to receive mode, capture the essence of the mind directly in order to understand these qualities as 'innocent', 'awareness' by their own experiences rather than from books.

"This allows us restaurant Authority suspended the constant endless ideas in mind and slowly extend the suspension period. When the permits consistent practice regularly, many times when we feel empty, vacuum, but if the practice continues, we will gradually realize the nature of mind, understanding the clarity and awareness of it. Just like a glass filled with water, if water was pure, we can clearly see the bottom of the cup (not a problem to prevent any) that is said in a glass of water.

"Today we practice mindfulness allow consistent Infinite. This is not a condition or dull emptiness of the mind that actually, we are determined to cause a suspension of scattered ideas in the mind . And this is the practice:

"Usually our mind is always thinking of pursuing or external entity. The focus of our following this idea because the experience was, it analyzes and compares this idea in level concept. In other words, our understanding is affected by the physical experience as well as spiritual concepts. With this allows consistent, we pulled his mind inward, not to its run sense. In doing so, we must be careful, do not let yourself fall into a state of confusion, lack of awareness that must be fully alert to recognize the nature of our minds, so the substances not covered by memories of the past, things are happening in the present or projected future ... It's nature, cloning of the mind.

"Just as the river is flowing, we can not easily see the bottom. But if in a certain way that we can make the water away from the head and did not melt at the other , that is, make the water stopped, we could see the river bottom. Also, if you can keep your mind does not run sense, not thinking of past / present / future while maintaining the awareness, we will identify the nature of mental disorder under the evolution of consciousness. This is essentially static, in light of the mind.

"The first phase of this very difficult to allow customary practice so we start from this: First, knowing the nature of the mind, we feel empty. That is because we which all too familiar with ways to understand the mind through the sense, the external actors, we tend to see the world through ideas, his own impressions. And when the last sense to leave the center, we almost did not recognize mental feeling of emptiness because emptiness. However, if we go, just get used to this state, gradually, we will identify the nature of light, illuminating the mind. And it is time that people realize, realize the own nature of mind.

"A lot of deep experience and observation are needed to righteousness quietness of the mind ..." The Dalai Lama smiled and continued: "But let me draw your attention is this customary practice is allowed prone to sleep, the reason is because there is no target to focus. Do we start.

"We inhale and exhale three times. Concentrate all the thoughts on your breathing. Inhale-exhale, inhale-exhale, inhale-exhale. And we begin to imagine ..."

Dalai Lama to remove your glasses, put his hands on his thighs and sat motionless. A quiet auditorium completely covered when 1,500 people turn to not care, look into the isolated world of 1.500 elementary, try the static lines of thought in the hope of free man is a glimpse of his mind. After 5 minutes, the quiet atmosphere of the room was cleared by the tone of quiet prayer scholarship by the Dalai Lama to end the session initiated to contemplate.

When the talk ended, out of habit, the Dalai Lama's hands seem to go into a devout offering listeners with respect and affection. He stood up and left the room through the crowd of listeners. Her hands still folded back, he bowed so low that people just stand away at a size not seen him. Dalai Lama as the sea submerged the small hole. However, the distance we still see where he has to go through the move by the crowd of listeners. Doing Dalai Lama may have been lost in everyone's eyes and his presence is just a feeling.END=VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY BACH LIEN HOA.NAM MO SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).OM MANI PADME HUM.( 3 TIMES ).