Because all phenomena appear to exist in their own right, all of our ordinary perceptions are mistaken. Only when emptiness is directly realized during completely focused meditation is there no false appearance. At that time, the dualism of subject and object has vanished, as has the appearance of multiplicity; only emptiness appears. After you rise […]
People often expect the other person to respond first in a positive way, instead of taking the initiative to create that possibility. I feel that’s wrong; it can act as a barrier that just promotes a feeling of isolation from others. To overcome feelings of isolation and loneliness, your underlying attitude makes a tremendous difference […]
Nagarjuna said that for a system where emptiness is possible, it is also possible to have functionality, and since functionality is possible, emptiness is also possible. So when we talk about nature, the ultimate nature is emptiness. What is meant by emptiness, or shunyata? It is not the emptiness of existence but rather the emptiness […]
Human happiness and human satisfaction must ultimately come from within oneself. 14th Dalai Lama
The great benefit of science is that it can make a tremendous contribution to the alleviation of suffering on a physical level, but it is only by cultivating the qualities of the human heart and transforming our attitudes that we can begin to address and overcome our mental suffering. We need both, since the alleviation […]
All the world’s major religions, with their emphasis on love, compassion, patience, tolerance, and forgiveness can and do promote inner values. But the reality of the world today is that grounding ethics in religion is no longer adequate. This is why I am increasingly convinced that the time has come to find a way of […]
The way to change others’ minds is with affection, and not anger. 14th Dalai Lama
The practice of Dharma is a constant battle within, replacing previous negative conditioning or habituation with new positive conditioning. 14th Dalai Lama
The most important thing is practice in daily life; then you can know gradually the true value of religion. Doctrine is not meant for mere knowledge, but for the improvement of our minds. In order to do that, it must be part of our life. If you put religious doctrine in a building and when […]
We should examine how destructive emotions harm us and others, cause discord in families and in society at large and even bring us physical health problems. Whether you are a national leader or a beggar on the street, destructive emotions disturb your peace of mind. 14th Dalai Lama
If you cannot stop worrying over something in the past or what might happen in the future, shift your focus to the inhalation and exhalation of your breath. Or recite this mantra: om mani padme hum. Since the mind cannot concentrate on two things simultaneously, either of these meditations causes the former worry to fade. […]
Since universal compassion involves gradually expanding one’s circle of concern to the whole of humanity, it needs constant cultivation. 14th Dalai Lama
What we want to eliminate is grasping that is grounded upon falsification of the object, distortions that arise as afflictions grasp at the apparent substantial existence of an object. Some texts say that mental states such as compassion and faith are, by their very nature, virtuous and thus cannot at the same time be afflicted […]
“That which is seen and that which is touched are of a dream-like and illusion-like nature. Because feeling arises together with the mind, it is not [ultimately] perceived.” ~Shantideva There is nothing whatever that has a true mode of existence. Nevertheless, this does not suggest that a person who experiences feelings and the feelings themselves […]
Effort is crucial in the beginning for generating a strong will. We all have the Buddha nature and thus already have within us the substances through which, when we meet with the proper conditions, we can turn into a fully enlightened being having all beneficial attributes and devoid of all faults. The very root of […]
Gaining mastery over our destructive propensities, through the exercise of awareness and self-discipline with regard to our body, speech, and mind, frees us from the inner turmoil that naturally arises when our behaviour is at odds with our ideals. In place of this turmoil come confidence, integrity, and dignity – heroic qualities all human beings […]
The ultimate source of my mental happiness is my peace of mind. Nothing can destroy this except my own anger. 14th Dalai Lama
Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent. 14th Dalai Lama
Inner peace will not come as a blessing from above. Inner peace comes from nurturing genuine love and compassion for others. Buddhism teaches us about bringing inner peace through the training of the mind. 14th Dalai Lama
When other beings, especially those who hold a grudge against you, abuse and harm you out of envy, you should not abandon them, but hold them as objects of your greatest compassion and take care of them. 14th Dalai Lama
