HH The Dalai Lama is visiting the UK.

[cafolini]

Wow, brilliant. I imagine the Dalai Lama as one of the most awe-inspiring figures you are likely to meet. I have read several reports about people breaking down in tears after just being in his presence and I'm talking about non Buddhists as well, even total strangers. I certainly think he's got great charisma. I fail to understand the negative comments on this thread. Anyway I hope you gain a lot from the visit.

I've said before that I think that much of the basic philosophy that stands behind Buddhism makes a great deal of sense and could be potentially very rewarding for anybody regardless of religious thought. I'm talking in particular about the basic core principles like the four noble truths (found here for fellow Buddhist dummies like me: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/qanda02.htm) or the eightfold path of right thought, action, speech etc, etc (google it). I think that there is a great deal of wisdom even in these basic core principles and enough to last a lifetime. Of course it is easy to read and agree with it, but very difficult to put into practise.

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One of my favourite Buddhist fables is the one with the two monks by the river. Quickly, for anyone who doesn't know it - there were two monks by a river out for a walk. They spot a women who is trying to cross the other side but the water is too high for her. In this particular Buddhist order monks are absolutely forbidden to touch women, but seeing the woman struggle one of them goes over to help and lifts her across. On the way back, the other monk berates him for touching the woman reminding him that it is against orders to touch women. He can't leave it alone and throughout the walk back constantly reminds him that he has broke the order in regards to touching women, when the other turns around to him and says "brother, I put her down at the other side of the river, but you my friend, are still carrying her."

Brilliant. Like the basic concepts it makes perfect sense to let go of negative thought, but like the basic concepts it is very hard to let the things which bother us go. Now you don't have to believe in reincarnation or whatnot to see the basic wisdom behind that, same with all the core principles.

Very good point.

[YesNo]

Easy for you!!

I suppose it isn't really easy to succeed at paying attention while one is walking or sitting rather than letting one's mind wander. I rarely succeed for very long, but the activity itself doesn't require a lot of work. It doesn't seem like I'm doing enough to justify the effect it has even when I'm failing at it.

[Paulclem]

I suppose it isn't really easy to succeed at paying attention while one is walking or sitting rather than letting one's mind wander. I rarely succeed for very long, but the activity itself doesn't require a lot of work. It doesn't seem like I'm doing enough to justify the effect it has even when I'm failing at it.

A Chinese chap I know once said you only have to be good at one thing.

It just takes time I suppose.

[NikolaiI]

I was listening to a Dharma talk the Dalai Lama gave recently and I was struck by one thing, that he came back to several times. He kept coming back to the idea of understanding the causes of happiness and distress, and emphasized that as important. I was gladdened because I'd been thinking of this a lot lately in my practice.

[Paulclem]

The striking thing that I found when I first came across Buddhism is that much of it does not reveal how ancient the teachings are. Lojong is an example of this. It could have been written yesterday. It doesn't communicate with archaic imagery; it doesn't rely upon historical references; the openness of the translatins mean that they can be written in an appropriate everyday language; and a lot of the ideas have been co-opted by psychology because they work.

[YesNo]

Here's one I ran into today from Ken McLeod's translation that seemed an unusual way to relate to misfortune.

When misfortune fills the world and its inhabitants
Make adversity the path of awakening.

http://www.unfetteredmind.org/mindtraining/11.php

Does anyone know why there are 59 of these? Does the number have any significance?

[Paulclem]

Here's one I ran into today from Ken McLeod's translation that seemed an unusual way to relate to misfortune.

When misfortune fills the world and its inhabitants
Make adversity the path of awakening.

The other name for this that I've heard is transforming negative conditions into the path. As it says, you use negative experience to practice - so when someone winds you up, instead of getting angry, you practice the antidote which in this case is patience. Pity I'm not better at it.

Nothing comes to mind about the number.

[Paulclem]

Went to see HH The Dalai Lama in Manchester today. He's really funny and had the crowd laughing numerous times. He said a lot of interesting things though which I will post up when I've got time.

[Paulclem]

In the main body of HH's talk, he emphasised the importance of protecting the environment. He made the point that due to the interconnectedness of societies now - as contrasted with the past - through trade, finances etc, it was possible to act in concert.

He talked about how peace of mind was important for maintaining good health, and linked this to developing unbiased and trusting relations with family, friends and with societies.

He talked about India's secular constitution which respects all religions. (There's a thread current on this too). He went on later to talk of his ethical, secular curriculum which his adisors will pilot in a couple of years. he sees a gap in schools' curriculum, and wants to develop an awarenesss of secular ethics in young people.

He said at the beginning that the question and answers session at the end often proved to be illuminating, and so it proved.

On a question about the best way for a Mother to bring up children, he said the child must have maximum affection and time spent with them.

On how to deal with the early death of a sister, he suggested that it is good to try to use the sad event to motivate yourself towards something that the person will approve of. (This links closely to the idea of transforming negative conditions into the path). His emphasis was to look on this logically.

In answer to a request for a prayer to help families with children, he pointed out that he was a simple Monk and that whilst he would offer a prayer, he thouht it wouldn't do much good. In stead he talked about a secular ethical curriculum, which I mentioned earlier.

He spoke quite a bit about young people and the opportunities thay have to set the tone of the 21st Century. This also linked with his secular ethical curriculum. I've read about the tech genenration born into the use of mobiles and computers, and HH was clear that it is the young now who will profoundly affect the next century. He urged young people to see differently, and insisted that they have the opportunity to change policy and the relations betweeen societies.

Asked whether there were differences between men and women spiritually, he said a simple No. He then went on to explain why he thought women were more compassionate, and thus better than men in that way.

He was asked if he remembered about being discovered as The Dalai Lama, and he said he did. He said he was excited on the morning that the search party was coming to Takster, the village where he lived, though no-one knew who they were. He said he recognised them and called them by name. His explanation for this was that in very young children imprints from the past life can remain, but that these quickly fade. He then joked that all the previous Dalai Lamas had visions, but that he did not. He added that he was more popular though, and laughed in that inimitable way. What was fascinating about this was the link he provided to us back to a medieval Tibetan society of the 1930s. It was very interesting.

In answer to how to help the dying, he said a peaceful mind was most important, and encouraging the dying to give way to attachment to worldly things and people in case this affects your future rebirth.

On how to love the unloveable, he referred to the Tibetan Buddhist practice whereby you attempt to develop a positive attitude towards someone rather than engaging in negative thoughts about them. This takes time, and is difficult, but is based upon the idea that friends can quickly become enemies, and vice versa. He said it is difficult to develop and takes a long tiime, and referred to his own experience whereby he was in his forties before he was able to develop compassion through practice.

Asked about the institution of the Dalai Lamas and whether it will continue, HH said it would be up to the Tibetan people. He suggested that he expects to live to 89 or 90, and will then ask the Tibetan people again. How to look for and choose the successorwill be discussed then.

He said that there have been cases where a person has reincarnated before they have died. This is entirely consistent with the abilities of high Lamas, though it seems impossible to ordinary minds. This presents possibilities for HH which it will be difficult for the Chinese Government to second guess. (The Chinese Govt has produced rival candidates for Tibetan Tulkus in the past such as the very important Panchen Lama. In that case, HH sanctioned one of them rather than the other).

On China, he suggested that there would be big changes in the next century. He said that the greatest ill done to the Chinese people by their Government was the complete censorship they imposed, and he said that over 1 billion people had a right to access the truth.

He was very positive on this topic though and said that Tibet depends now upon China, and he won't be seeking separation. He did say that a recent uni survey in China suggested that there were 300 million Buddhists in China, and that there was interest in Tibetan Buddhism because of this. He advocated dialogue, but one which included the many different types of people in China.

It was a very long day for us, but it was great. HH The Dalai Lama spoke for two and a half hours, and it was worth every minute.

[YesNo]

On how to love the unloveable, he referred to the Tibetan Buddhist practice whereby you attempt to develop a positive attitude towards someone rather than engaging in negative thoughts about them. This takes time, and is difficult, but is based upon the idea that friends can quickly become enemies, and vice versa. He said it is difficult to develop and takes a long tiime, and referred to his own experience whereby he was in his forties before he was able to develop compassion through practice.

This seems like good advice. It puts the responsibility on the person who has the negative attitude rather than on the one who is considered unlovable. Thanks for summarizing what you heard.

[qimissung]

Thank you for sharing this with us, Paul. I really like the precepts in the Lojong.

[Paulclem]

Thanks. It was my pleasure.

[mal4mac]

Did he recommend any books? There are a lot of Tibetan Buddhist books out there! Or do you recommend any in particular, Paul? I read "Happiness" by Matthieu Ricard, recently, a very good book by a French-Tibetan Buddhist monk-scientist.

[mal4mac]

The other name for this that I've heard is transforming negative conditions into the path. As it says, you use negative experience to practice - so when someone winds you up, instead of getting angry, you practice the antidote which in this case is patience. Pity I'm not better at it.

Yes, this is pretty standard Buddhist fare, not just Tibetan. I'm reading an excellent meditation guide in the Theravada tradition at the moment - that goes into this in some detail:

"Seeking the Heart of Wisdom" by Jack Kornfield & Joseph Goldstein

Another route they recommend is "just" letting go of negative emotions during insight meditation - though they don't say it is easy!

P.S. The book has a forward by the Dalai Lama - an example of his wonderful appreciation of related Buddhist traditions.

[Paulclem]

Yes, this is pretty standard Buddhist fare, not just Tibetan. I'm reading an excellent meditation guide in the Theravada tradition at the moment - that goes into this in some detail:

"Seeking the Heart of Wisdom" by Jack Kornfield & Joseph Goldstein

Another route they recommend is "just" letting go of negative emotions during insight meditation - though they don't say it is easy!

P.S. The book has a forward by the Dalai Lama - an example of his wonderful appreciation of related Buddhist traditions.

He is a great ambassador for both Tibet and Buddhism. Jack Kornfield has a good reputation. my friend likes his stuff.

It depends what you want Mal. There are lots of general books by HH such as Illuminating the Path to Enlightenment, Awakening the Mind, Lightening the Heart and The Many Ways to Nirvana, to name but a small few.

There are some good biographies about him, and an interesting book called The Story of Tibet which is written in conversation with HH in which he seems to imply that there has been a plan for Tibetan Buddhism by Chenresig which has been acted out through the Dalai Lamas.

He's written a more technical book called The Path to Bliss too, which goes into the medatations in a bit more technical detail. Right at the start of the book is a very detailed description of a visualisation to be used in a meditation, but right at the end he says something like - or you can visualise The Buddha - so watch for that if you get it.