Advice for Daily Life by Dalai Lama

[icy]

On his second day at Western Connecticut State University, Dalai Lama offered a talk titled "Advice for Daily Life."

The 77-year-old Buddhist leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, shared playful anecdotes along with firm convictions during his talk about forgiveness, cultivating inner strength, and the role of education in developing an approach to life.

"Your firm conviction, genuine concern for others, is the ultimate source of your own peace of mind," he said.  He warned that a self-centered attitude leads people to a sense of insecurity and fear. "The method to conquer fear and insecurity means you must develop concern for others," he said. "When you develop inner peace, it means no matter what sort of environment you are in, your mind is calm."
The Dalai Lama generated spontaneous applause during his one-hour speech from the 3,500 people on hand when he said education has a very important role, but it should include teaching about inner values.
The crowd -- from an infant in arms to seniors walking with canes and wheelchairs -- filled bleachers and folding chairs, intent on hearing the Dalai Lama.

When actor Richard Gere introduced His Holiness for the second day, he said that although people have the will to get through tough times, they have soft hearts and can learn from the Dalai Lama.  "He doesn't look Tibetan now, he looks universal," Gere said. "We have to take credit that we have the good karma to be here. Let's welcome one of the great beings to walk on this planet."

An important value in the Dalai Lama's talk was forgiveness. "Forgiveness does not mean bowing down to others who have wronged you," he said. "It means not letting negative feeling toward the wrongdoing increase fear and distance," and not letting negative feelings toward the person grow.
Sometimes forgiveness is viewed as a sign of weakness, but that is wrong, he said.
"Forgiveness is a sign of strength. Anger is a sign of weakness.''

The Dalai Lama, who often discusses how compassionate living transcends individual religious beliefs, described how Mother Teresa and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sincerely followed their beliefs, but that not everyone does.  There are people who profess to be religious, who say their prayers, but don't care about others, he said, but they are not following their religion sincerely or seriously.
"Once we believe, we should be serious and sincere," he said.

During the introductions Friday, WestConn President James Schmotter presented the Dalai Lama with an honorary doctor of humanities degree, saying it represented and acknowledged "deep, deep appreciation for the work of His Holiness to promote peace and compassion all around the world."
At the end of the Dalai Lama's speech, Schmotter thanked him for "giving us lessons that will be with us the rest of our lives."

"The whole campus is excited about the Dalai Lama's visit. We all embrace the message he brings to Danbury," said WestConn Assistant Social Sciences Professor Carina Bandhauer, who was in the audience Friday.  She said she has followed the Tibetan political situation for a long time and heard the Tibetan prime minister speak at WestConn last year. "This unites the city, which has not always been so compassionate," Bandhauer said. "I hope everyone embraces the message of compassion."
Mary Bethel Coelho, of Litchfield, finds the Dalai Lama so powerful that she attended both days, bringing a son Thursday and her brother Friday. She previously saw the Dalai Lama at Emory University with her other son.

"His teachings are enlightening enough to read, but to see the tone and happiness he exudes as he is talking to a crowd is really life-affirming," Coelho said Friday.

With the world so filled with violence and war, she said, he serves as an ideal for a different way of life.
"I think the greatest change will come with what we teach our children and what they teach their children,'' she said.

She said her husband, who has been ill, has been soothed by the Dalai Lama's philosophy about the need to expand your energy to solve a problem if there is a solution, but not to waste time worrying if the solution is not available.

Her brother, Bryan Spiotti, a police officer from Oakville, said he and Coelho became interested in Buddhism at the same time, and he's found that using compassion helps him in his work.
"Learning to live in loving kindness does change your perspective," he said.

The Dalai Lama urged the members of the audience to educate themselves, to investigate concerns and bring conviction to their beliefs, so that approach would become part of their nature.
"Day by day, month by month, year by year, principles become part of daily life," he said in answer to one of the questions after his talk. "That is the way to transform life."


Read more: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Dalai-Lama-teaches-daily-living-skills-3965699.php#ixzz29nedlwe9

[Barzin]

"Your firm conviction, genuine concern for others, is the ultimate source of your own peace of mind," he said.  He warned that a self-centered attitude leads people to a sense of insecurity and fear. "The method to conquer fear and insecurity means you must develop concern for others," he said. "When you develop inner peace, it means no matter what sort of environment you are in, your mind is calm."

It is no doubt that His Holiness is probably the great being who is so noble to promote peace and harmony in this world today, tirelessly.  He has touched the hearts of many and take dharma to the next level.  We all have no questions about it. 

But refer to above quote, it is ironic the teaching of such contradicts to the issue of practice of Dorje Shugden.  To achieve all those qualities, reassurance, lack of fear and truth must be conveyed. As a spiritual leader, by banning the practice do not do so for the practitioners and others.  How can one practice guru devotion by simply denying one's practice and gurus?  It will only cause more fear and insecurity... Not to mention many who was given the practice by one's guru.  Without addressing the issues of the ban, it is unlikely that us practitioners able to practice in peace.

How can His Holiness talk about concern for others but segregate a group?  I really hope that His Holiness look into the issue quickly and address the issue.

[thor]

An important value in the Dalai Lama's talk was forgiveness. "Forgiveness does not mean bowing down to others who have wronged you," he said. "It means not letting negative feeling toward the wrongdoing increase fear and distance," and not letting negative feelings toward the person grow.

Really? From what I know, Dalai Lama has been encouraging this anti-Shugden fervor himself. He has had them removed from monasteries, schools, hospitals, stores. He has continually made speeches condemning Shugden practitioners. He has made the CTA follow in his footsteps. He has blatantly lied that there is no violence against Shugden practitioners in his country while many have been murdered or beaten. He had stood by idly while entire families are persecuted in his name.

So what is the Dalai Lama talking about when his actions don't match his teachings? In normal circumstance, it's called HYPOCRISY. In the Dalai lama's case, it's called wisdom. Does that make sense???

[Lineageholder]

It is no doubt that His Holiness is probably the great being who is so noble to promote peace and harmony in this world today, tirelessly.  He has touched the hearts of many and take dharma to the next level.  We all have no questions about it.

I have plenty of questions about it.  He's not acting like a great being, although everyone treats him as if he is.  If he's promoting peace and harmony, why has he caused a schism in his own community?

[samayakeeper]

>>An important value in the Dalai Lama's talk was forgiveness. "Forgiveness does not mean bowing down to others who have wronged you," he said. "It means not letting negative feeling toward the wrongdoing increase fear and distance," and not letting negative feelings toward the person grow.
Sometimes forgiveness is viewed as a sign of weakness, but that is wrong, he said.
"Forgiveness is a sign of strength. Anger is a sign of weakness.''<<


Very good advice. I do not intend to bow down or have negative feeling and thought toward the wrong doers. But I sympathize with those unfortunate loyal Shugden practitioners who have faced the brunt of anger of those people who are against the practice, anger that had turned violent. And so many of the loyal Shugden practitioners are aging sangha members who for most of their lives have been practicing and teaching dharma. And so many of them have been asked to leave their monastery and community for holding on to their spiritual belief and for practicing guru devotion.

[lotus1]

I would not believe that HHDL who is the emanation of the compassionate Chenrenzig will be hypocrisy. Instead, I think his ban on Dorje Shugden is for a higher and bigger reason.

As mentioned below,

The Dalai Lama urged the members of the audience to educate themselves, to investigate concerns and bring conviction to their beliefs, so that approach would become part of their nature.

I sincerely hope the CTA and the extreme followers of HHDL that are hurting , creating and causing schism to other Dorje Shugden practitioners would think deeply on their actions! How would someone who is a Boddisattva like HHDL would harm anyone??!!! The answer is very clear! Therefore, please stop your actions that causing harm to Dorje Shugden practitioners and stop creating more negative karma and causing degeneration to Buddhism!

Wake up CTA!

[Ensapa]

I find it amazing that up to today, nobody in CTA has ever realized that their actions are damaging the Dalai Lama in more ways than one. I mean, why are they burning themselves? Why are they inciting violence against Dorje Shugden practitioners? Why are they acting differently than from what the Dalai Lama has taught them? Why cant the closest people to the Dalai Lama follow what he says? a mystery indeed.