Dalai Lama Audio Teachings on Tibetan Buddhism Podcast

His Holiness begins by quoting the Dhammapada he has been reading from, saying, it is with the help of alertness and conscientiousness that we guard our minds. Guarding the mind leads to liberation or nirvana, which comes into being as a result of causes and conditions. Likewise, favourable states in cyclic existence are achieved through causes and conditions. The basis of training or taming the mind is to cultivate the ten wholesome actions. His Holiness remarks that while in the normal run of things we tend not to notice the movement of our minds, if we pay attention to it, we will gradually distinguish pure and impure states of mind. For example if we encounter the teachings of the Buddha and try to put them into practice, we should notice that our minds become calmer. Ultimately, it is the awakening mind that provides the greatest benefit to sentient beings. His Holiness continues to read the Jataka tales which reveal the importance of speaking the truth, the drawbacks of drinking liquor, the virtues of attachment and how those who wish to benefit themselves abandon the state of the householder, how important it is to strive for virtue and how by controlling anger we can appease our enemies.

His Holiness begins by quoting the Dhammapada he has been reading from, saying, it is with the help of alertness and conscientiousness that we guard our minds. Guarding the mind leads to liberation or nirvana, which comes into being as a result of causes and conditions. Likewise, favourable states in cyclic existence are achieved through causes and conditions. The basis of training or taming the mind is to cultivate the ten wholesome actions. His Holiness remarks that while in the normal run of things we tend not to notice the movement of our minds, if we pay attention to it, we will gradually distinguish pure and impure states of mind. For example if we encounter the teachings of the Buddha and try to put them into practice, we should notice that our minds become calmer. Ultimately, it is the awakening mind that provides the greatest benefit to sentient beings. His Holiness continues to read the Jataka tales which reveal the importance of speaking the truth, the drawbacks of drinking liquor, the virtues of attachment and how those who wish to benefit themselves abandon the state of the householder, how important it is to strive for virtue and how by controlling anger we can appease our enemies.

His Holiness begins by quoting the Dhammapada he has been reading from, saying, it is with the help of alertness and conscientiousness that we guard our minds. Guarding the mind leads to liberation or nirvana, which comes into being as a result of causes and conditions. Likewise, favourable states in cyclic existence are achieved through causes and conditions. The basis of training or taming the mind is to cultivate the ten wholesome actions. His Holiness remarks that while in the normal run of things we tend not to notice the movement of our minds, if we pay attention to it, we will gradually distinguish pure and impure states of mind. For example if we encounter the teachings of the Buddha and try to put them into practice, we should notice that our minds become calmer. Ultimately, it is the awakening mind that provides the greatest benefit to sentient beings. His Holiness continues to read the Jataka tales which reveal the importance of speaking the truth, the drawbacks of drinking liquor, the virtues of attachment and how those who wish to benefit themselves abandon the state of the householder, how important it is to strive for virtue and how by controlling anger we can appease our enemies.

His Holiness begins by quoting the Dhammapada he has been reading from, saying, it is with the help of alertness and conscientiousness that we guard our minds. Guarding the mind leads to liberation or nirvana, which comes into being as a result of causes and conditions. Likewise, favourable states in cyclic existence are achieved through causes and conditions. The basis of training or taming the mind is to cultivate the ten wholesome actions. His Holiness remarks that while in the normal run of things we tend not to notice the movement of our minds, if we pay attention to it, we will gradually distinguish pure and impure states of mind. For example if we encounter the teachings of the Buddha and try to put them into practice, we should notice that our minds become calmer. Ultimately, it is the awakening mind that provides the greatest benefit to sentient beings. His Holiness continues to read the Jataka tales which reveal the importance of speaking the truth, the drawbacks of drinking liquor, the virtues of attachment and how those who wish to benefit themselves abandon the state of the householder, how important it is to strive for virtue and how by controlling anger we can appease our enemies.

Many accomplished beings have arisen as a result of the teachings the Buddha gave more than 2500 years ago. They overcame the disturbing emotions that give us trouble and which are rooted in ignorance. An example of our ignorance is the way we almost instinctively respond to pleasant and unpleasant objects either avidly wanting them or wishing to be rid of them. Disturbing emotions have no long term remedy other than understanding of emptiness. His Holiness continues to read from the Jataka tales that cite incidents in the former lives of the Buddha, when he was still a bodhisattva, that retain a moral for today. Repeatedly he engaged in significant acts of generosity and was an exemplar of virtue. During the tea breaks, His Holiness resumes the transmission of the Songs of Milarepa that he has been giving steadily for the last two or three years.

Many accomplished beings have arisen as a result of the teachings the Buddha gave more than 2500 years ago. They overcame the disturbing emotions that give us trouble and which are rooted in ignorance. An example of our ignorance is the way we almost instinctively respond to pleasant and unpleasant objects either avidly wanting them or wishing to be rid of them. Disturbing emotions have no long term remedy other than understanding of emptiness. His Holiness continues to read from the Jataka tales that cite incidents in the former lives of the Buddha, when he was still a bodhisattva, that retain a moral for today. Repeatedly he engaged in significant acts of generosity and was an exemplar of virtue. During the tea breaks, His Holiness resumes the transmission of the Songs of Milarepa that he has been giving steadily for the last two or three years.

Many accomplished beings have arisen as a result of the teachings the Buddha gave more than 2500 years ago. They overcame the disturbing emotions that give us trouble and which are rooted in ignorance. An example of our ignorance is the way we almost instinctively respond to pleasant and unpleasant objects either avidly wanting them or wishing to be rid of them. Disturbing emotions have no long term remedy other than understanding of emptiness. His Holiness continues to read from the Jataka tales that cite incidents in the former lives of the Buddha, when he was still a bodhisattva, that retain a moral for today. Repeatedly he engaged in significant acts of generosity and was an exemplar of virtue. During the tea breaks, His Holiness resumes the transmission of the Songs of Milarepa that he has been giving steadily for the last two or three years.

Many accomplished beings have arisen as a result of the teachings the Buddha gave more than 2500 years ago. They overcame the disturbing emotions that give us trouble and which are rooted in ignorance. An example of our ignorance is the way we almost instinctively respond to pleasant and unpleasant objects either avidly wanting them or wishing to be rid of them. Disturbing emotions have no long term remedy other than understanding of emptiness. His Holiness continues to read from the Jataka tales that cite incidents in the former lives of the Buddha, when he was still a bodhisattva, that retain a moral for today. Repeatedly he engaged in significant acts of generosity and was an exemplar of virtue. During the tea breaks, His Holiness resumes the transmission of the Songs of Milarepa that he has been giving steadily for the last two or three years.

His Holiness begins by reminding his listeners that having achieved such a precious opportunity to practise the Buddhadharma, as is presented by our present lives as human beings, we need not only to make the best use of it, but also to ensure that we will be able to continue to practise in the future. We need to find a guide who possesses both scholarly knowledge and actual experience. The purpose is to ensure that all our activities of body, speech and mind are conducive to virtue. The text His Holiness is reading the Udanavarga or Dhammapada is a straightforward and readable source of advice and inspiration. He is passing on the oral transmission of the text itself, although he doesn’t have transmission of a commentary to it. By employing discriminating wisdom on his progress to enlightenment, the Buddha was able to judge what to cultivate and what to give up in terms of thought, speech and conduct. Most important was generating concern for others, which overcomes self-centredness. Arya Nagarjuna summarised the path of a bodhisattva as consisting of great compassion, wisdom understanding emptiness and the awakening mind. The Jataka Tales, compiled in Sanskrit by the renowned poet Aryasura, contain accounts of what prompted Buddha Shakyamuni in various previous existences to enter into the bodhisattva’s way of life.

His Holiness begins by reminding his listeners that having achieved such a precious opportunity to practise the Buddhadharma, as is presented by our present lives as human beings, we need not only to make the best use of it, but also to ensure that we will be able to continue to practise in the future. We need to find a guide who possesses both scholarly knowledge and actual experience. The purpose is to ensure that all our activities of body, speech and mind are conducive to virtue. The text His Holiness is reading the Udanavarga or Dhammapada is a straightforward and readable source of advice and inspiration. He is passing on the oral transmission of the text itself, although he doesn’t have transmission of a commentary to it. By employing discriminating wisdom on his progress to enlightenment, the Buddha was able to judge what to cultivate and what to give up in terms of thought, speech and conduct. Most important was generating concern for others, which overcomes self-centredness. Arya Nagarjuna summarised the path of a bodhisattva as consisting of great compassion, wisdom understanding emptiness and the awakening mind. The Jataka Tales, compiled in Sanskrit by the renowned poet Aryasura, contain accounts of what prompted Buddha Shakyamuni in various previous existences to enter into the bodhisattva’s way of life.

His Holiness begins by reminding his listeners that having achieved such a precious opportunity to practise the Buddhadharma, as is presented by our present lives as human beings, we need not only to make the best use of it, but also to ensure that we will be able to continue to practise in the future. We need to find a guide who possesses both scholarly knowledge and actual experience. The purpose is to ensure that all our activities of body, speech and mind are conducive to virtue. The text His Holiness is reading the Udanavarga or Dhammapada is a straightforward and readable source of advice and inspiration. He is passing on the oral transmission of the text itself, although he doesn’t have transmission of a commentary to it. By employing discriminating wisdom on his progress to enlightenment, the Buddha was able to judge what to cultivate and what to give up in terms of thought, speech and conduct. Most important was generating concern for others, which overcomes self-centredness. Arya Nagarjuna summarised the path of a bodhisattva as consisting of great compassion, wisdom understanding emptiness and the awakening mind. The Jataka Tales, compiled in Sanskrit by the renowned poet Aryasura, contain accounts of what prompted Buddha Shakyamuni in various previous existences to enter into the bodhisattva’s way of life.

His Holiness begins by reminding his listeners that having achieved such a precious opportunity to practise the Buddhadharma, as is presented by our present lives as human beings, we need not only to make the best use of it, but also to ensure that we will be able to continue to practise in the future. We need to find a guide who possesses both scholarly knowledge and actual experience. The purpose is to ensure that all our activities of body, speech and mind are conducive to virtue. The text His Holiness is reading the Udanavarga or Dhammapada is a straightforward and readable source of advice and inspiration. He is passing on the oral transmission of the text itself, although he doesn’t have transmission of a commentary to it. By employing discriminating wisdom on his progress to enlightenment, the Buddha was able to judge what to cultivate and what to give up in terms of thought, speech and conduct. Most important was generating concern for others, which overcomes self-centredness. Arya Nagarjuna summarised the path of a bodhisattva as consisting of great compassion, wisdom understanding emptiness and the awakening mind. The Jataka Tales, compiled in Sanskrit by the renowned poet Aryasura, contain accounts of what prompted Buddha Shakyamuni in various previous existences to enter into the bodhisattva’s way of life.

Quoting the great Indian master Chandrakirti, His Holiness the Dalai Lama recommends that we should use our sophisticated intelligence to benefit others rather than harming them. Being self-centred and doing harm will bring us no good in the long run. Whereas even predatory animals are calm and peaceful once their hunger is satisfied, human beings seem able to engage in relentless harm and slaughter. Look at the appalling sophistication of modern weapons, technology. Although these weapons systems are allegedly for their defensive and deterrent purposes, they are actually employed to destroy others. Just as we examine physical objects to see how they would be useful to us, we should investigate our mental states. Some mental characteristics lead to calm and satisfaction, while others are clearly disturbing. Think about the result of generating anger, which generally yields no benefit. We should distinguish between those mental states whose affect is useful or neutral and those that are disturbing and therefore harmful. Afflictive or disturbing doubt can cause us to lose direction. On the other hand, only by questioning on the basis of curiosity and doubt do we find things out. The opposite, blind faith is not very useful. Faith needs to be employed with intelligence and wisdom. The Buddha encouraged his followers not to accept his words at face value, but to examine them shrewdly the way a goldsmith examines gold. His Holiness reads chapters of the Udarnavaga / Dhammapada concerning beauty, ethics, fine conduct, action, faith, the ordained and so forth.

Quoting the great Indian master Chandrakirti, His Holiness the Dalai Lama recommends that we should use our sophisticated intelligence to benefit others rather than harming them. Being self-centred and doing harm will bring us no good in the long run. Whereas even predatory animals are calm and peaceful once their hunger is satisfied, human beings seem able to engage in relentless harm and slaughter. Look at the appalling sophistication of modern weapons, technology. Although these weapons systems are allegedly for their defensive and deterrent purposes, they are actually employed to destroy others. Just as we examine physical objects to see how they would be useful to us, we should investigate our mental states. Some mental characteristics lead to calm and satisfaction, while others are clearly disturbing. Think about the result of generating anger, which generally yields no benefit. We should distinguish between those mental states whose affect is useful or neutral and those that are disturbing and therefore harmful. Afflictive or disturbing doubt can cause us to lose direction. On the other hand, only by questioning on the basis of curiosity and doubt do we find things out. The opposite, blind faith is not very useful. Faith needs to be employed with intelligence and wisdom. The Buddha encouraged his followers not to accept his words at face value, but to examine them shrewdly the way a goldsmith examines gold. His Holiness reads chapters of the Udarnavaga / Dhammapada concerning beauty, ethics, fine conduct, action, faith, the ordained and so forth.

Quoting the great Indian master Chandrakirti, His Holiness the Dalai Lama recommends that we should use our sophisticated intelligence to benefit others rather than harming them. Being self-centred and doing harm will bring us no good in the long run. Whereas even predatory animals are calm and peaceful once their hunger is satisfied, human beings seem able to engage in relentless harm and slaughter. Look at the appalling sophistication of modern weapons, technology. Although these weapons systems are allegedly for their defensive and deterrent purposes, they are actually employed to destroy others. Just as we examine physical objects to see how they would be useful to us, we should investigate our mental states. Some mental characteristics lead to calm and satisfaction, while others are clearly disturbing. Think about the result of generating anger, which generally yields no benefit. We should distinguish between those mental states whose affect is useful or neutral and those that are disturbing and therefore harmful. Afflictive or disturbing doubt can cause us to lose direction. On the other hand, only by questioning on the basis of curiosity and doubt do we find things out. The opposite, blind faith is not very useful. Faith needs to be employed with intelligence and wisdom. The Buddha encouraged his followers not to accept his words at face value, but to examine them shrewdly the way a goldsmith examines gold. His Holiness reads chapters of the Udarnavaga / Dhammapada concerning beauty, ethics, fine conduct, action, faith, the ordained and so forth.