buddhist teachings -
"The Tibetans have so much to offer to the world. An understanding of mental calmness, a vision of infinite potential of the mind. You cannot talk of Tibet without talking of Tibetan Buddhism."
"[It would be ideal to have] a free Tibet
[that is] zone of ahimsa (of harmlessness,)
a sanctuary for peace where everyone can feel free to come and be refreshed. . ."
. . . A place dedicated to the practice of compassion, of the way of the bodhisattva," (Thurman, Robert A. F. “Essential Tibetan Buddhism”).
dalai's views on other religions -
“When approached by enthusiastic followers, [His Holiness’] constant refrain is that it is better for people to retain the religion with which they grow up and, if they so desire, intensify their practice with philosophical, meditational, or ethical methods borrowed from other religions . . . Of course, he applauds the freedom of a modern . . . society that allows people to choose their own religious path . . . His priority when traveling is always clearly his representation of the plight of the Tibetan people, seeking help from politicians and diplomats in getting the Chinese to moderate their hard-line policies and overtly destructive practices.” (Thurman, Robert A. F. "Dalai Lama.")
When asked if the Dalai can see a future, singular religion for the entire world, he responds:
"We have enough religions. Enough religions but
not enough real human beings. We need more human
beings."
"We have enough religions. Enough religions but
not enough real human beings. We need more human
beings."
"Religions should learn from each
other, respect each other, but keep
their identity,"
"Some people like tomatoes; some people like
bread. People should be free to eat what they want
and people should be able to choose what religion is
most useful to their growth."
When asked if the Dalai has learned anything from Christianity, he responds:
"Oh, so much. Christianity has a very important and very beautiful
sense of service. This service to other beings is essential. Buddhists
too often think meditation is enough . . . Meditation is not enough. We
must help others. Compassion must be active, otherwise it is lazy."
(“Essential Tibetan Buddhism”)
bread. People should be free to eat what they want
and people should be able to choose what religion is
most useful to their growth."
When asked if the Dalai has learned anything from Christianity, he responds:
"Oh, so much. Christianity has a very important and very beautiful
sense of service. This service to other beings is essential. Buddhists
too often think meditation is enough . . . Meditation is not enough. We
must help others. Compassion must be active, otherwise it is lazy."
(“Essential Tibetan Buddhism”)
"Some people who have a lot of weighty cultural and intellectual; baggage and consider themselves open-minded think that the Dharma is without use or that it is good for only those living in undeveloped and isolated areas . . . The true practice of the Dharma is internal; it is a peaceful, open, and generous mind, a mind that we know how to train, that is completely in our control . . . The practice of Dharma is that which allows us to be real, faithful, honest, and humble - to help and respect others and sacrifice ourselves for them," ("Essential Tibetan Buddhism").
essential buddhist jargon
"bliss: . . . sanskrit sukha meaning 'happiness' as the opposite of dukha, ‘suffering,’ "
"bodhisatva: the sanskrit bodhisattva is composed of bodhi, meaning 'enlightenment' (selflessness . . . compassion), and sattva, meaning 'being' or 'hero/heroine’ "
"body: . . . a buddha is no longer an ordinary being, a self-habit-ridden individual caught inside his skin. so buddhists developed a number of ways of expressing the extraordinary qualities of the experience of enlightenment,"
"buddha: an awakened or enlightened being, defined as one who has reached the peak of evolution, by developing his or her wisdom and compassion over countless lifetimes until both have become perfect,"
"five poisons: delusion, hate, pride, lust, and envy,"
"lama: this means 'spiritual teacher' in tibetan, and represents a highly honored profession . . . 'mentor,' "
"nirvana: the state of supreme freedom from suffering that is the goal of all buddhist practice,"
"soul: that which is the deepest personal essence of a living being, which journeys from life and takes rebirth,”
"yogi, yogini: a yogi is a male practitioner of Buddhist yoga, the 'yoking' of one's life energies to their knowledge and understanding. a female yogi is called a yogini," (The Tibetan Book of the Dead).
"bodhisatva: the sanskrit bodhisattva is composed of bodhi, meaning 'enlightenment' (selflessness . . . compassion), and sattva, meaning 'being' or 'hero/heroine’ "
"body: . . . a buddha is no longer an ordinary being, a self-habit-ridden individual caught inside his skin. so buddhists developed a number of ways of expressing the extraordinary qualities of the experience of enlightenment,"
"buddha: an awakened or enlightened being, defined as one who has reached the peak of evolution, by developing his or her wisdom and compassion over countless lifetimes until both have become perfect,"
"five poisons: delusion, hate, pride, lust, and envy,"
"lama: this means 'spiritual teacher' in tibetan, and represents a highly honored profession . . . 'mentor,' "
"nirvana: the state of supreme freedom from suffering that is the goal of all buddhist practice,"
"soul: that which is the deepest personal essence of a living being, which journeys from life and takes rebirth,”
"yogi, yogini: a yogi is a male practitioner of Buddhist yoga, the 'yoking' of one's life energies to their knowledge and understanding. a female yogi is called a yogini," (The Tibetan Book of the Dead).