Author: Dalai Lama
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are pleased to meet with you to talk in here today, because each of us are going to learn about the value and the true meaning of life. few days ago I said that many times along with material progress, the development of the spiritual life of the inner man and is also very necessary and useful. Soon you also noticed that a strong-willed person, when they get stuck easy pass easily overcome. In the case of Tibet and the experience itself, I know that it's true.
Someone in a leadership role with the heavy responsibility that I now encounter many problems such trouble, their spirit certainly unavoidable crisis and anxiety. But you go look closely at my face always serene, safe and healthy in order. Of course we know the problems aware of our homeland is severe and harsh but we must accept that unfortunate destiny to try to fix the pass. Thanks to the brave determined spirit, and clearly influenced our help center has enough energy to deal with the problem.
According to Buddhism because everyone has the same potential to become Buddha, so the Buddha's teaching practice, then we will reap the many practical benefits. 's no need to wait blessed in the afterlife, but if we mercy to help the people in this life, we will feel more happy and peaceful.
Although the compassion of the word bodhisattva is often explained basics of the Mahayana sutras, but in addition, we see the entire Buddhist thought is always built on a foundation of this compassion. All of the Buddha's teachings can be expressed in two questions: in the spirit of the Mahayana teachings, "You should help people" and Nguyen Thi or Theravada is "If you can not, you do not cause damage harm to anyone. " It's highly moral sense is advised us to terminate the action as suffering for others. Both teaching both since been built on the ideas of love and compassion .
If carried out, first of all we should control ourselves not prevent malicious acts causing harm living beings as much as possible. Later, when we have developed some good qualities, we started aim to help others purposes. Initially, we sometimes need to live a quiet isolated people to practice, but after achieving inner master, we should contact, engagement serve the human society in all areas such as health, education and political v. .. v ...
There are some who consider themselves to be Buddhists often flaunt the practice of his form wearing a particularly unusual or apply a method of practice and sometimes eccentric recluse like a vacuum . Such action is wrong. During economic Buddha "To have peace, people need to fix on inner rather than outer forms change." It's very important. Since the primary purpose of the practice according to Mahayana Buddhism is catering to all living beings, therefore, we can not live on their own separate society. contrast to help all of us to live in life. This is essential first.
Second, special follow Buddhism is the practice we need to use both brains and heart. Morally, we should have compassion, at the same time we must also have wisdom. therefore the combination of compassion and wisdom are essential. Lack of intellectual hard you can achieve a deep understanding of the Dhamma. Here are the basics. In addition, we also need to be coordinated between the text (hear) from (thinking) and religious (practice). Ambassador Tibet Drom-Don (1004-1064) said, "When I heard, I also try to think and meditate. As I thought, the more I listen and meditate more. When I meditate I continued listening and thinking. " He said so, "I have to keep a balance between the heard (writer), think (investment) and practice (practice). "
When listening, it is important to center your thoughts to pay attention to what we have heard. The study of the teachings of the religion is not the same as learning about the history of the event. Which practitioners need to use the mind, the research focus of religious teachings. scriptures teach that our practice is like a mirror. Acts, where the body of your mouth and not the other side is a mirror shine out on it, so that we find things wrong with my mistakes to modify.
While they were learning practice, we need to apply it in practice living on their own. hear Let me tell you the following story: Once upon a time when Tibetan masters Dam-Ba-Ga studying precepts. Buddha read his word should not be used Increase cushions made of animal skin. From there, he brought the bear pelt take no longer sit on it. One day, he read in the law to allow the Buddha in winter cold, disease or illness, the monk can use leather cushions; him immediately and he took it out back to sit. guru Thus Dam-Ba Ga-known fact that the international application he studied law. therefore, want to collect a lot of good results in practice, we should try to apply what they have learned into practice.
The third thing, I hope you do not expect too much. they're living in the era of machine micro computer and computer so you can mistakenly think that the practice of internal conversion is the same as the machine automatically, simply press a button that will change everything. It's not like that. Conversely want to subdue the human mind is not easy but it takes time.
On science and technology, especially the conquest of the external world, not just in a short time people can achieve great results is launched spacecraft to distant planets as now, that takes hundreds year research over many generations, the modern generation thanks to advances than the previous generation. Yet the spiritual uplifting, spiritual development ethics is very difficult, because individuals do not practice can transition from one generation to another generation. lives and your actions in past lives will affect this life and in business caused his current artificial fruit for later life. So good or bad deeds of people can not pass on to others. practicing Everything good and bad deeds, our happiness or misery depends where you are and it takes time.
I met many Western Buddhists initially very enthusiastic diligent practice but after a few years they lazy lazy consciousness and sometimes totally do not want to practice anymore at all. The reason is because from the beginning they are eager to see the results immediately retreat. But according to the teachings in the book "Operation Bodhisattva" by Shantideva he (Shantideva), the practitioner must practice patience or tolerance. generous You not only against enemies that have to endure sacrifice with determination to avoid falling into the state of idleness and boredom. persistence file you need patience. This is very important.
Take my case as an example. I was born in a Buddhist family believed in a country where almost the entire population are Buddhist, although there are also many people follow Christianity, Islam and Bon religion , is the traditional belief of Tibet. I was studying Buddhism in the mother tongue and charming in an early monastery, right from childhood. Such practices in terms of doctrine, then I get more advantages of your easier. At I age of about fifteen or sixteen, I started practicing diligent efforts until forty-four years old today. looked back to the previous year compared with the current, I noticed I have progressed quite many on the path. therefore patience perseverance, always diligent practice precepts does not rot minutes long of mind is very important.
You should know the development in inner practice takes time and progress slowly. thought you could "Today has been a bit of his mind pure, and safe fun in the heart. " comparison for a period of five, ten or fifteen years ago you knew that he had advanced somewhat in practice. So you try to compare his mind not only for today and yesterday , or last week or last month, was not last year, but that five years ago, then you will see clearly that I have somewhat of inner development in cultivation. Therefore, to achieve good results, progress in practice, we need to be diligent, often try to practice every day in practice.
Sometimes people ask me to Buddhism, an ancient traditional catechesis in the East it is clearly not suitable for Western people are not? replied that I had fundamental purpose of religion is to address the problem of human suffering. As human beings, regardless of East or West, white, black or yellow, they all have the sufferings of birth, old age, sickness and death alike. Well as long as the fundamental suffering, and people need religion to relieve suffering, we must ask questions from the introduction of Western Buddhism is appropriate or not?
Another issue related to the spiritual life. Someone fancy eating this, whether it preferred to other food. Similarly, some individuals think should follow this religion better and more benefits, one would choose another faith sublime, more realistic and progressive. So that in today's society we need more people of different religions and certainly the majority of people in the West will also have fans Buddhism because of its practical benefits.
When it comes to our core essence of religion is needless to ask questions appropriate or not, once the basic teachings of religion can not be changed. A Burmese monks follow Theravada Buddhists I met recently in Europe and over the life of his practice in this adaptation, I realized we need to distinguish between the cultural heritage of the country with the local basics of Buddhism.
I want to talk about the differences between the teachings of the Buddha with the forms and rituals of Buddhism outside. In India, Tibet, China, Japan or wherever, the essence of the teachings Buddhism remains the same, nothing changes, but the cultural heritage of each country may differ. Thus, in India, Buddhist culture integration with India, in Tibet, the Tibetan culture and Japanese culture Japanese v. .. v. .. According to this view, when Buddhism in Europe, it will also integrate with the culture of Western countries.
The basic teachings of Buddhism is not going to be in any country in which it was introduced in, however, the brief ceremony and rituals are not necessarily rigid maintain that we can arbitrarily change to to suit new circumstances. And in that environment, they will have to reform how we difficult to know. sure this problem requires time. Buddhism first time from India to Tibet no one can tell that "Buddhism was introduced to this new land , from this we should practice practice like this or like that. " Nobody decides what is. It grows slowly gradually, and over time a tradition of Buddhism took shape.
Where in the West too, a future in harmony with Buddhism cultural life of European countries will be born. During any circumstances, today's generation of you who are beginning to sow Buddhist ideas planted in these countries are responsible for maintaining part of the basic teachings and find ways to adapt it to new social activities.
To accomplish this, we need to be wise to learn. You should not have extreme ideological conservative or too easy open are not good that we should follow a middle path. In any environment, it is important that we need to keep the middle way. Even the consumption of food daily, we also avoid excesses that must be moderation. In fact, eating too much will hurt the stomach, there will be less than malnutrition. So, in everyday life we try to apply middle path means not eating or drinking too happy too miserable.
Likewise, we should be fully aware of the environment and cultural heritage where we live to know what is valid and what is not useful niche for our lives today.
For example, the case of Tibetan culture, a couple of old habits no longer fit for tomorrow. During the new circumstances, the organization and activities of today's society has changed, so that a Some cultural life can become no longer necessary to maintain. Similarly, in the United States and Canada, if some aspect of ancient cultures are no longer suitable for modern civilized life, we need to transform and maintain the traditions any good shops and useful, you should try to incorporate that culture with Buddhism.
If you truly want to practice according to the Buddha's teaching is the most important thing is practice. Dharma study and use it as a tool to criticize religious doctrines or the other is wrong. sole purpose of religion is not for his own critics decry others. better to order only criticize us. wonder I've been down nature eradicate hatred place yourself?
I did get rid of what percentage of greed and bad qualities like jealousy, envy, arrogance, conceit where your mind? evil nature that we need to control every day with the understanding of Dhamma we It is. Did you hear me?
As Buddhists, the Buddha's teaching practice, we should respect other religions as God, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim v. .. v. .. We are also happy to recognize and praise the contribution of the religion that over the centuries for human society and the present. We need common efforts in trying to serve humanity. Reverence with open hearts and tolerance for other faiths is essential that the Buddhists as we need to keep in mind.
Buddhism has many sects and different religious traditions. genuine Buddhists should not have thought of promoting cults and sects enable doctors it either compliment or legal subjects other than v legal subjects . . v. .. friends group policy and doctrinal criticism or disparagement of other sects is not a good thing, causing harm that we should avoid.
What is the most important practice in daily life and slowly you will realize the value of Buddhism. catechesis not only aims to expand that knowledge is essential for developing the practice in the interior. trying You do that because it is part of our life. If you only knew holding the Buddha's teachings in a building and when you leave the house not even more practice, then you will not reap any results.
I hope that you try to lay people practice Buddhist teachings with all sincerity, that contribute to good benefit for Western society. It is a prayer and my desire.
Questions and Answers
Question:
Dear sir! How can people overcome negative mental peace and fear?
Dalai Lama:
The best way is before you do anything, we should think of the consequences of it. Normally when having a bad job, we take it for risk and time to come good, we say it is luck. Make sure that if risk due to the garment is completely not true that our action was governed by the law of cause and effect. Depending follow good or evil people cause we will have good or bad thing, sew or risk, success or failure. Also follow Buddhism or other action by our karma caused in the past. Methods way to eliminate fear is the mind we wonder people are scared as anyone, there really is not? Where are we ? Who am I? What is our nature? In addition to the physical body and the changes have not I really? Thinking like that will not help your mind peace from fear. Sometimes by chanting mantras, prayers Buddhist household, where your fears will go away.
Q: In the United States young men and women are free to marry, and when the moral values of the past no longer be respected anymore, so how the relationship, closeness between the two sexes can keep the spirit of Buddhism?
Dalai Lama:
There are many different circumstances apply. The Buddhist monks statutory regime is not married. Those who can not live alone can make laymen.
Q: Please tell us about his love affairs and marriages.
Dalai Lama:
I do not know much to say. As I love boys and girls is normal, however if the marriage, the family established should be careful, do not rush to think carefully as you will certainly eat with each other in life. That's very important, because if you do not learn empathy and rush to get married before then after a month or a year starting excuse quarrels will lead to the disruption and divorce. By law, the couple can divorce, but I think if you do not have children are not stars, but having children is not very nice. So sometimes when men and women marry just thinking about love and sex alone is not enough, but you still have moral responsibilities towards their children. If divorced parents, the child will suffer, not temporary but throughout our lives. The child will imitate their parents. If parents always live everyday disagreements or disputes, improve the accidental palm will cause bad influence to the boys as well as girls later. This is a disaster. So I encourage you, to have a true marriage, not so rapid promotion but be careful. After a period of understanding, empathy and actually got married just married. So you will be happy in marriage. Happy family you will bring happiness to all humanity in the world.
Q: I am a secular indulged me how meditation can be.
Dalai Lama:
You should not get discouraged. Everyone has the same ability. You think: "I can not afford" is completely wrong. You delude yourself. All of us who have the strength, willpower, why do not you? If you have determination, you can do anything. When you feel depressed you should think this: "Why the Dalai Lama, he can do anything, then your efforts, you can achieve it. So in Buddhism, you are the master, and the master of yourself. You can do what you want.
Q: In practice, the teacher plays the role like? Should not need a guide?
Dalai Lama:
Yes, depending on the subject. The doctrine of universal, you can find books to read through the basic dharma understandable without him. If they wish to study entry Buddhist Sutras teacher should have explained guide, otherwise you can not comprehend.
Q: You often advised to have compassion to help people. But how can we do that in western society?
Dalai Lama:
If you want to do good, you just need to help a person also remain. You have many opportunities to help others in areas such as education, in schools, workplaces v. .. v. .. Some priests and Catholic nuns has done much charity work society that I admired. Buddhists we should imitate them. So I think in the area of education and health you can directly participate in helping people get.
Even when working in factories or offices, but not directly helping others, but you have indirectly contributed to society. Although you do get paid goods, but partly also helps you to everyone. Therefore, when you should be working on this thought: "The work I am doing this to help others." In case you are making guns, cast bullets that you still think that "I'm doing this to help people" is also quite difficult, and hypocrisy, is not it?
Q: People can achieve enlightenment without alienating forsaken life?
Dalai Lama:
Sure is. Renouncing the world means we should shun all pleasures of worldly pleasures, rather than living isolated lives apart. The main aim of Buddhism is to serve the salvation of all beings. Want to help people, we need to be present in society, should not take himself separated from his back to the public.
Q: Your Excellency! He had the opportunity to visit many places preaching, how he felt about the United States?
Dalai Lama:
This is a country great university. Man complete freedom in the choice and accept whatever ideological or religious traditions that they like and respect. thing that is very good. Americans I realize there is a real straight character with generous hearts open, love to help people. admire and I love this country. END=VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY=THICH CHAN TANH.THE MIND OF ENLIGHTMENT.WORLD VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST ORDER=VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=GOLDEN LOTUS MONASTERY=AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.7/3/2014.NAM MO SAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).
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