The Policy of Kindness

[icy]

The modern economy has no national boundaries. When we talk about ecology, the environment, when we are concerned about the ozone layer, one individual, one society, one country cannot solve these problems. We must work together. Humanity needs more genuine cooperation. The foundation for the development of good relations with one another is altruism, compassion, and forgiveness. For small arguments to remain limited, in the human circle the best method is forgiveness. Altruism and forgiveness are the basis for bringing humanity together. Then no conflict, no matter how serious, will go beyond the bounds of what is truly human.

The Dalai Lama

[biggyboy]

It would be an ideal world to live in when everyone understands and practise the altruistic living with compassion, kindnesses and forgiveness.  This are the aspirations of many.  It would only happens when everyone realised that.  But due to the modern economy,spiritual development has taken a back seat in the midst of all the pride, possessions and titles chasing.

Kindnesses can be in many ways in our daily life where we can show kindness toward others, without expecting anything in return.  For example...baking cookies or sending flowers to a friend who needs a pick-me-up. By doing so, we may inspire others to do the same and this would go on to inspire many others. One random act of kindness can spark a chain-reaction of acts of kindness throughout the community.  Other ideas that many can start with to get into action over time, like:
 

• Give up seat on the bus to someone else.
• Help a student if they drop their belongings.
• Buy the person behind us in line a cup of coffee.
• Smile and say good morning!
• Give someone a flower "just because."
• Bake and bring cookies to class.
• Send someone an encouragement or thank you card.
• Give a stressed friend a massage.
• Shovel a neighbor's sidewalk.
• Help someone move.
• Donate! Used clothes, food, or blood.

[RedLantern]

What is kindness? Being kind is demonstrated by your behaviors and attitude towards all things ,in a manner that demonstrates  compassion and caring.Kindness is an attitude that is highly value by others and is even recognized at an early age.
-Demonstrate true compassion for self and others
-Have patience patience for self and others
-Be open to self and others
"Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair but manifestations of strength and resolution"  Kahli Gibran.
Showing kindness for self and others is showing genuine interest about how you feel about yourself and others,as well as channelling this interest into wanting the best for both and that everyone is different and learn differently.
To show kindness without expecting anything in return is a noble act.

[hope rainbow]

The modern economy has no national boundaries.
When we talk about ecology, the environment, when we are concerned about the ozone layer, one individual, one society, one country cannot solve these problems.
We must work together.
Humanity needs more genuine cooperation.
The foundation for the development of good relations with one another is altruism, compassion, and forgiveness.
For small arguments to remain limited, in the human circle the best method is forgiveness.
Altruism and forgiveness are the basis for bringing humanity together.
Then no conflict, no matter how serious, will go beyond the bounds of what is truly human.

The Dalai Lama

We can make this world an enlightened world or a samsaric world, it is our choice; it is, to be more precise, the result of our choices. First and foremost as individuals, we make that choice.
Forgiveness, because we cannot fix the past, the past is not there for us to work on, only the present is, thus forgiveness so we can fix the future.
And altruism, so that we don't have again to be "forgiven" or to "forgive" ever again...

[Midakpa]

The Dalai Lama once said, "My religion is simple, my religion is kindness." This statement encapsulated one of the world's most complex and vast philosophies - Tantric Buddhism.

Spiritual Guides embody this quality. They are always kind although they themselves suffered tremendous hardships. The older generation like the Dalai Lama escaped Chinese invasion by walking over the Himalayan mountains, with very little possessions. Yet they show such care and concern for others. Their attitude follows that of the Dalai Lama who said that in Tibet, no one is a stranger and everyone you think you don't know is merely an old friend you haven't met for a while.

Spiritual Guides are purity and goodness personified. They completely embody what they teach. Out of kindness, they return again and again to samsara to take sentient beings out. They guide us with the hook of compassion. When do you know you are hooked? When you know you love your teacher.

[Midakpa]

Altruism and forgiveness are the basis for bringing humanity together.

The Buddha said: "If a person foolishly does me wrong, I will return to him the protection of my boundless love. The more evil that comes from him the more good will go from me. I will always give off only the fragrance of goodness."

In this time of turmoil and conflicts, it is difficult for people to coexist peacefully with their fellowmen. There are civil wars in many parts of the world. There is a need, therefore, for altruism, tolerance, and forgiveness in the world today so that peaceful co-existence among the people of the world can be possible.

The Buddha's advice is "Let us live happily, not hating those who hate us. Among those who hate us, let us live free from hatred. Let us live happily and free from ailment. Let us live happily and be free from greed; among those who are greedy."

[Midakpa]

The modern economy has no national boundaries. When we talk about ecology, the environment, when we are concerned about the ozone layer, one individual, one society, one country cannot solve these problems.

For the sake of material gain, people violate nature. This is due to the fact that they are so preoccupied with their pleasure that they fail to see the purpose of life. This is a cause of the fear, insecurity and intolerance so prevalent in the modern world.

In an article entitled "Keeping Peace With Nature", Stephanie Kaza says that Buddhist philosophy emphasizes the principle of nonharming or ahimsa. According to Kaza,  "Nonviolence" ... means acting positively toward constructing peace. The opening stanzas of the Dhammapada state, 'For hate is not conquered by hate: hate is conquered by love. This is a law eternal.' The teacher Buddhadhasa suggests that peace means being true friends to all beings and to one's self. Thus peacekeeping from a Buddhist perspective, includes ending not only violence in human society, so widespread across the planet, but also violence towards plants and animals, rivers and oceans." (David W. Chappel (ed.), Buddhist Peacework)

[Rihanna]

It would be an ideal world to live in when everyone understands and practise the altruistic living with compassion, kindnesses and forgiveness.  This are the aspirations of many.  It would only happens when everyone realised that.  But due to the modern economy,spiritual development has taken a back seat in the midst of all the pride, possessions and titles chasing.

Kindnesses can be in many ways in our daily life where we can show kindness toward others, without expecting anything in return.  For example...baking cookies or sending flowers to a friend who needs a pick-me-up. By doing so, we may inspire others to do the same and this would go on to inspire many others. One random act of kindness can spark a chain-reaction of acts of kindness throughout the community.  Other ideas that many can start with to get into action over time, like:
 

• Give up seat on the bus to someone else.
• Help a student if they drop their belongings.
• Buy the person behind us in line a cup of coffee.
• Smile and say good morning!
• Give someone a flower "just because."
• Bake and bring cookies to class.
• Send someone an encouragement or thank you card.
• Give a stressed friend a massage.
• Shovel a neighbor's sidewalk.
• Help someone move.
• Donate! Used clothes, food, or blood.

[I agree with what your thoughts on this. When we see someone in distress and we feel their pain as if it were our own, and strive to eliminate or lessen their pain, then that is kindness. Genuine self-concern will gradually mature into concern for others as one sees that others are really the same as oneself.

Everyone of us has all the Buddha-like qualities like sharing, readiness to give comfort, sympathy, concern and caring. And that is kindness to another being. We can feel for others when we can feel for ourselves. So in Buddhism, one's spiritual development blossoms quite naturally into concern for others' welfare. Buddha's life story illustrates this principle very well. He spent six years struggling for his own welfare after which he was able to benefit the whole of humankind.]

[Positive Change]

I find kindness rather subjective. Not in the way that one would think that there is anything wrong with being kind, but how the act of kindness is in the form of. Very often we equate kindness as a material giving but we forget the best acts of kindness comes from the heart and not necessarily from the pocket!

I have here some inspiring yet "natural" acts of kindness one could do on an every day basis. Thank you Oprah!:

1.   Say "Good morning" to a person standing next to you in the elevator.

2.   Pay the toll for the driver behind you.

3.   Take a minute to direct someone who is lost, even though you're rushing.

4.   Write a letter to a child who could use some extra attention. Kids love getting mail.

5.   Offer to pick up groceries for an elderly neighbor, especially in extreme weather.

6.   Give a homeless person your doggie bag.

7.   Say "I love you" to someone you love.

8.   Put a coin in an expired meter.

9.   Help a mother carry her baby stroller up the subway stairs, or hold a door open for her.

10.   Each time you get a new item of clothing, give away something old.

11.   Take someone's shift as the car-pool parent.

12.   Bring your assistant coffee.

13.   Out of the blue, send flowers to a friend.

14.   Say "please" and "thank you" - and really mean it.

15.   When you're on a crowded train or bus, offer your seat to an elderly, disabled or pregnant person.

16.   Don't interrupt when someone is explaining herself.

17.   Let a fellow driver merge into your lane.

18.   Offer to baby - sit for a single mom.

19.   Put your shopping cart back in its place.

20.   Call or write to a teacher who changed your life.

21.   Bring a box of doughnuts to share at the office.

22.   Forgive someone a debt–and never bring it up again.

23.   Listen with all your senses.

24.   Write a note to the boss of someone who helps you, and explain how great a job that person is doing.

25.   Simply say "I'm sorry" when you're wrong.

26.   Throw away your trash - and someone else's - after a movie, picnic or visit to a park.

27.   Encourage someone who seems despondent.

28.   Volunteer to take care of a friend's dog while he is vacationing.

29.   Help a friend pack for a move.

30.   Ask someone "How are you really doing?" - and then really listen to her response.

31.   Offer change when the person in front of you at the register comes up short.

32.   Before a friend moves away, give her your favorite recipe or quote and a photo of the two of you together.

33.   Leave a generous tip for a pleasant waiter.

34.   At work, offer to transfer a caller who needs help from another department.

35.   Pass along a great book you've just finished reading.


Read more: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/35-Little-Acts-of-Kindness#ixzz2BK16Hv9G

[bambi]

There are so many ways to practice kindness to everyone around us. Even a smile can be uplifting for someone who is down. Or even hold the door for someone without expecting a thank you. Saying please and thank you is one of the best way to let the other person know you appreciate what they are doing. That is why I love Dharma! It teaches me so much without having to sacrifice anything. Who said kindness have to be of material things? I love Dalai Lama's quotes!

This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. - Dalai Lama

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. - Dalai Lama

It is necessary to help others, not only in our prayers, but in our daily lives. If we find we cannot help others, the least we can do is to desist from harming them. - Dalai Lama

Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn't anyone who doesn't appreciate kindness and compassion. - Dalai Lama

[ratanasutra]

By nature human are kind to each other but with the experience, environment etc which reflect us to have less kindness and become more selfish.

Kindness is the foundation quality which we should develop so it can be increase along with our practice as we need both wisdom and compassion and without kindness there will not be compassion and without compassion we could not gain enlightenment.

We can start our kindness with people surround us like people in family, our friends, colleagues and people who we meet in daily then it can be expand to people who we do not know.

To have kindness you do not need to be buddism, any religions or free thinker can have kindness. Our world will full with happiness and smile if everyone are kind to each others.


 

[buddhalovely]

"'The Dalai Lama: A Policy of Kindness' brought me gently and pleasantly into the life and mind of this extraordinary spiritual leader and assured the success of my interview with him." — Bill Moyers, PBS Television, Public Affairs TV, Inc.

"An affectionate disposition not only makes the mind more peaceful
and calm, but it affects our body in a positive way too.  On the
other hand, hatred, jealousy and fear upset our peace of mind, make
us agitated and affect our body adversely.  Even our body needs peace
of mind and is not suited to agitation.  This shows that an
appreciation for peace of mind is in our blood."

"Just as we should cultivate more gentle and peaceful relations with
our fellow human beings, we should also extend that same kind of
attitude towards the natural environment.  Morally speaking, we
should be concerned for our whole environment.

"This, however, is not just a question of morality or ethics, but
also a question of our own survival.  For this generation and for
future generations, the environment is very important.  If we exploit
the environment in extreme ways, we may receive some benefit today,
but in the long run, we will suffer, as will our future generations. 
When the environment changes, the climatic condition also changes. 
When the climate changes dramatically, the economy and many other
things change.  Our physical health will be greatly affected.  Again,
conservation is not merely a question of morality, but a question of
our own survival."-- His Holiness the Dalai Lama, from 'The Dalai
Lama, A Policy of Kindness', published by Snow Lion Publications.

[Tenzin K]

The practice always begins with developing a loving acceptance of yourself. If resistance is experienced then it indicates that feelings of unworthiness are present. No matter, this means there is work to be done, as the practice itself is designed to overcome any feelings of self-doubt or negativity. Then you are ready to systematically develop loving-kindness towards others.

Four types of persons to develop loving-kindness towards:

a respected, beloved person — such as a spiritual teacher;

a dearly beloved — a close family member or friend;

a neutral person — somebody you know, but have no special feelings towards,
e.g. person who serves you in a shop;

a hostile person — someone you are currently having difficulty with.

Starting with yourself, then systematically sending loving-kindness from person to person in the above order will have the effect of breaking down the barriers between the four types of people and yourself. This will have the effect of breaking down the divisions within your own mind, the source of much of the conflict we experience. Just a word of caution if you are practicing intensively. It is best if you choose a member of the same sex or, if you have a sexual bias to your own sex, a person of the opposite sex. This is because of the risk that the near enemy of loving-kindness, lust, can be aroused. Try different people to practice on, as some people do not easily fit into the above categories, but do try to keep to the prescribed order.

Ways of arousing feelings of loving-kindness:

Visualisation — Bring up a mental picture. See yourself or the person the feeling is directed at smiling back at you or just being joyous.

By reflection — Reflect on the positive qualities of a person and the acts of kindness they have done. And to yourself, making an affirmation, a positive statement about yourself, using your own words.

Auditory — This is the simplest way but probably the most effective. Repeat an internalized mantra or phrase such as 'loving-kindness'.

The visualisations, reflections and the repetition of loving-kindness are devices to help you arouse positive feelings of loving-kindness. You can use all of them or one that works best for you. When the positive feeling arise, switch from the devices to the feeling, as it is the feeling that is the primary focus. Keep the mind fixed on the feeling, if it strays bring it back to the device, or if the feelings weaken or are lost then return to the device, i.e. use the visualisation to bring back or strengthen the feeling.

The second stage is Directional Pervasion where you systematically project the aroused feeling of loving-kindness to all points of the compass: north, south, east and west, up and down, and all around. This directional pervasion will be enhanced by bringing to mind loving friends and like-minded communities you know in the cities, towns and countries around the world.

Non-specific Pervasion tends to spontaneously happen as the practice matures. It is not discriminating. It has no specific object and involves just naturally radiating feelings of universal love. When it arises the practice has then come to maturity in that it has changed particular, preferential love, which is an attached love, to an all-embracing unconditional love!

Loving-kindness is a heart meditation and should not to be seen as just a formal sitting practice removed from everyday life. So take your good vibes outside into the streets, at home, at work and into your relationships. Applying the practice to daily life is a matter of directing a friendly attitude and having openness toward everybody you relate to, without discrimination.

There are as many different ways of doing it as there are levels of intensity in the practice. This introduction is intended to help you familiarize yourself with the basic technique, so that you can become established in the practice before going on, if you wish, to the deeper, systematic practice — to the level of meditative absorption.

[Manjushri]

Excellent sharing from the Dalai Lama, Icy. It is true. Kindness cannot simply rely on one person alone. It is a unity of force and like-mindedness for the kindness that mankind is capable of to permeate throughout. True kindness is rare. It is rare for kindness to be shown without an alterior motive in today's society. A simple act of kindness can be felt, and when you are able to feel kindness from someone towards you, you know that deep down, you can develop that quality as well. Otherwise how do you know it is kindness if you don't have it in you?

Many people are so caught up today, with their own personal needs and wants that altruism is almost non-existent. Forgiveness, Altruism and Compassion all equate to putting down your own self-cherish needs, wants, and ego, letting it all go completely, to help and benefit someone else.

When you forgive, you put down your anger, hatred, face, and ego for someone else.

When you are altuistic, you put down your needs and wants, so that you can help someone else, without agenda.

When you are compassionate, you put down your self-cherishing mind, so that you can help all beings without boundaries.

It is like the practise of the 8-verses to mind transformation.

Being able to identify with the feeling of kindness means that you are able to develop that Buddha-like quality within yourself. With kindness...world peace and the true nature of humanity and morality in mankind can be fostered. You will always give, and not take.