His Holiness the Dalai Lama, our inspiration and guide of the Beaumaris Buddhist Meditation Centre
H.H. Tenzin Gyatso The 14th Dalai Lama
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people and a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and the US Congressional Gold Medal. Unique in the world today, he is a statesman, national leader, spiritual teacher, and deeply learned theologian. He advocates a universal “religion of human kindness” that transcends sectarian differences.
The Dalai Lama is universally respected as a spokesman for the peaceful and compassionate resolution of conflict. He has also been actively involved in bringing together Western scientists and Buddhist meditators, and is a founder of the Mind and Life Institute.
H.H. The 14th Dalai Lama Teachings
The Compassionate Life
I believe that at every level of society—familial, national and international—the key to a happier and more successful world is the growth of compassion. We do not need to become religious, nor do we need to believe in a particular ideology. All that is necessary is for each of us to develop our good human qualities. I believe that the cultivation of individual happiness can contribute in a profound and effective way to the overall improvement of the entire human community.
Adapted from The Compassionate Life, by the Dalai Lama. © 2001 Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. Available from Wisdom Publications.
The True Meaning of Life
We are visitors on this planet
We are here for ninety or one hundred years at the very most
During that period, we must try to do something good, something useful with our lives
If you contribute to other peoples’ happiness
You will find the true goal, the true meaning of life.
Cultivating an attitude of compassion and developing wisdom are slow processes.
As you gradually internalize techniques for developing morality, concentration of mind, and wisdom,untamed states of mind become less and less frequent.
You will need to practice these techniques day by day, year by year.
As you transform your mind, you will transform your surroundings.
Others will see the benefits of your practice of tolerance and love, and will work at bringing these practices into their own lives.
Consciousness is eternal, its continuity never ceases. But it is not permanent.
Permanence refers to the fact that something does not change from moment to moment.
And this, of course, consciousness does do.
It is impermanent in this sense, but it is still eternal.
The continuity of the moment never ceases.
Altruistic Love
Compassion and generosity must be accompanied by detachment. Expecting something in return for them is like doing business. If the owner of a restaurant is all smiles with his customers, it is not because he loves them but because he wants to increase his turnover. When we love and help others, it should not be because we find a particular individual likable but because we see that all beings, whether we think of them as friends or enemies, want to be happy and have the right to happiness.
