Samita Rathor
New Delhi
THE first set of teachings on Buddhism by His
Holiness the Dalai Lama took place from
December 23 to 26 last. People who attended got
a rare and inspiring opportunity to listen to him.
Venerable Geshe Lhakdor continued the teachings
from March 5 to 11 at the India Habitat
Centre. Venerable Lhakdor lucidly explained the
significance of ‘A Song of Spiritual Experience,’
written by Lama Je Tsong Khapa which explains
the meaning of Lamrim in a condensed way.
Lamrim means Stages of the Path to
Enlightenment. The Lamrim is a map dividing the
journey into uniform segments with relevant stops
for respite and reflection. The instructions of
Lamrim are easy to understand and can be applied
to everyday life. Lamrim instructions were compiled
by the great Indian Buddhist Master, Atisha.
According to one part of the teachings of
Lamrim, within the practice of generosity are
included the practice of other perfections: ethics,
patience, resolute and unwavering joyous effort,
concentration and wisdom. The practices of the
Bodhisattvas can be subsumed within the practice
of these six perfections.
GENEROSITY: In the "Song of Spiritual Experience" Lama Je Tsong Khapa says: "Generosity is like wish-fulfilling jewel, granting the wishes of all sentient beings," and "Giving is the sharpest sword to cut through the knot of miserliness," and "A person who engages in selfless generosity will gain fame and renown in all the ten directions." Thus Bodhisattvas follow the path of generosity, giving material resources, painstakingly accumulated merits and even parts of their bodies to sentient beings who are needy. The wise follow the path of generosity.
ETHICS: If a person practises generosity but lives an immoral life, the fruits of generosity will not be enjoyed by them as humans in their next life. They will be born as lesser creatures. To enjoy the fruits of generosity in a higher realm there is need to live an ethical life. The practice of the perfection of morality is described as, "The cleansing water washing away the dirt of immoral deeds," and as "The cooling moonlight soothing the pain of those scorched by immoral activities." Morality is strictly guarded by the Bodhisattvas--as strictly as they would protect their own eyes.
PATIENCE: You may practise generosity and morality. But these virtues can be wiped away by a moment of anger. The practice of patience is the supreme ornament adorning the powerful Bodhisattvas. Of all forms of ascetic practice, tolerance or patience is supreme. There is nothing like patience to cool the heat of anger. Anger is the most destructive of all delusions because it destroys the goodness collected from all other practices. When you have the armour of patience you will not be harmed by bad treatment and harsh words directed at you by others. You will be like a soldier with good armour who is not harmed by spears and arrows in battle. We need to persevere in developing our practice of patience so that we can remain undisturbed and peaceful at all times.
RESOLUTE AND UNWAVERING JOYOUS EFFORT: If we have constant diligence and a sense of joyful perseverance in our spiritual practices then our realisations--the deep experiences and understanding gained from our study of the Buddha’s teachings-- will increase like the waxing moon. When you have enthusiastic perseverance or joyful application, all actions of body, speech and mind become meaningful and purposeful. Whatever virtuous projects you embark upon will be successfully completed. Thus, bearing in mind the benefits of enthusiastic perseverance, we must develop this powerful practice.
CONCENTRATION: A person with concentration has control over the mind. A concentrated mind remains unshakeable like the King of Mountains that is not moved by great winds and forces of destruction. A mind with single-point concentration can remain focused on any object, undisturbed by extraneous thoughts. A person who develops a very high level of concentration generates physical and mental pliancy and bliss. The great yogis and bodhisattvas persevere meticulously, doing everything that is necessary to cultivate calm abiding and destroy the enemy of distractedness.
WISDOM: Profound wisdom is the perfect eye to see the ultimate reality of all that exists. It is this wisdom, understanding the ultimate mode of the existence of all things, which cuts through the root of cyclic existence. Wisdom is the practice most highly acclaimed in all scriptures, the torch dispelling the darkness of ignorance. It is spoken of by the Buddha in many scriptures as the most precious of all qualities. It is only in wisdom that the path of deliverance from ordinary existence can be found. Concentration and wisdom together can focus one clearly and steadily on the ultimate nature of reality and sever the roots of ordinary existence. The "Song of Spiritual Experience" says: "Thus work on developing and increasing this path of combined calm abiding and wisdom."
The teachings were organised by the Foundation for Universal
Responsibility, a
non- profit, non-sectarian, non-denominational organisation
established with the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to His Holiness, the
Dalai Lama in 1989.