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The Dalai Lama on Enlightenment
EnlightenNext (WIE) speaks with Buddhist monk Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama.
WIE: The goal of Buddhist practice is said to be enlightenment. While the word “enlightenment” is now commonly used in the West, there are many vastly different definitions of what enlightenment is. In your approach to your own practice, when you think about enlightenment, what are you striving to achieve? What does the goal of enlightenment mean to you personally?
H.H. THE DALAI LAMA: So, enlightenment! “Consciousness” or “mind” has cognitive ability–there is something through which we know. Usually, we say: “I see, I learn, I know, I remember.” There is one single element that acts as a medium for viewing all objects. At our level, the power or ability to know is very limited, but we have the potential to increase this ability to know. “Buddhahood” or “Buddhahood enlightenment” is when the potential of this ability to know has been fully developed. Merely increasing that capacity of knowing is also a level of enlightenment. So, the term “enlightenment” could refer to knowing something that you did not know or realizing something that you had not realized. But when we speak about enlightenment at the state of Buddhahood, we are speaking about a fully awakened state.
That is why, according to Buddhism, all our efforts ultimately should go to training or shaping our minds. Emotions such as hatred or strong attachment are destructive and harmful–we call them “negative emotions.” So how can we reduce these negative emotions? Not through prayer, not through physical exercise, but through training of mind. Through training of mind we try to increase the opposite qualities. When genuine compassion, infinite compassion, or unbiased compassion is increased, hatred is reduced. When equanimity is increased, attachment is reduced. All of these destructive emotions are based on ignorance, and the opposite, or antidote, of ignorance is enlightenment. This is why it is very important to analyze the world of the mind and find out what its basic nature is. What are the different categories of mind? Which minds are destructive? Which minds are constructive? and so on. Once we have analyzed all these questions, then we should try to control our minds by adding more good and removing the bad. Some modern scholars describe Buddhism as a “science of mind” for this very reason.
WIE: Many people have become interested in Buddhist practice these days as a means of cultivating peace of mind, relaxation or mindful awareness, rather than specifically as a means for reaching enlightenment. In your view, what is the difference between engaging in Buddhist practice for the purpose of gaining relative benefits such as these and practicing with the sincere intention of attaining enlightenment?
HHDL: Some ideas that come from Buddhism can be implemented without the individual needing to become a Buddhist or even to be a believer in Buddhism–there is no problem with that. Someone who has complete trust and belief in Buddha may try to be a good human being, and they could be considered Buddhist even if they have no particular interest in the next life or in attaining nirvana. But in order to make your practice a real Buddhist practice, it is important to have genuine aspiration for the achievement of nirvana or enlightenment.
WIE: Can you explain why this aspiration is essential?
HHDL: The definition of Buddhism, I think, is in the teaching of the Four Noble Truths. Once you know and accept that these are the basic teachings of reality, and you follow and implement these teachings, that is Buddhism. Now, you could still be a Buddhist without that kind of practice. It is not necessary to have a comprehensive understanding of the in-depth meaning of the teaching of the Four Noble Truths to be a simple, ordinary Buddhist. One could simply take refuge in Buddha, dharma [teaching] and sangha [community of practitioners], do simple practices, and be categorized as a simple Buddhist practitioner. But to become a genuine Buddhist practitioner in the true sense, it is important to have an in-depth understanding of the teachings of the Four Noble Truths. And for that pursuit, it is important to have a clear idea of nirvana and enlightenment.
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10 comments
add your comment »and this fighting about religion is why i choose paganism.
cmon guys its about being 1, all of us, us and nature we must learn to love each other not fight, fighting is for fools which nobody wins.
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And DANIEL, i'd love to hear your journey to faith.
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HELLO, DANIEL MY BROTHER IN CHRIST!
THANK YOU for your comment.
I look forward to meeting you in our eternal reward!
when & where were you baptized?
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I completely agree with Shri.Rezi.D,I came from Hindu religion back ground(from India) , In the year 2000 I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal saviour.I trust Jesus ,because he changed my life...and gave me a new life which is meaningful and hopeful.I realized that only the Christian life is very precious,blessed,meaningful and wonderful life on this earth.Jesus is Living GOD.If U believe in him,it means believing in His words(Bible) you will receive the salavation,here believing means obeying the God's word.
Prasie the LORD.
Yours
V.Sivakumar Reddy.(Daniel)
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OK girl we GOTTA talk!
U: I realized the bible was missing some parts that were important to me to find out.
me: FALSE-no missing parts
dead sea scrolls were buried by essenes 200 yrs bc & found in 1947. they include entire old testament (OT) & PROVE that OT we have 2day is the same as it always was from the Bginning. they R in israel & NOT in the hands of rcc as some say on the web.
new testament (NT) is the MOST PROLIFIC of all ancient texts. there R in existance OVER 24,000 EARLY copies w/in 25 yrs of the death of the last apostle John. this PROVES that NT we have 2day is the same as it always was from the Bginning.
U: The beginning of the books is a false statement. (In my eyes)
me: do U mean the genesis account of creation & flood? i 2 had my doubts until i met a scientist who Blieved the genesis record & i learned that MANY MANY scientists do. in fact research i have been doing shows that scientific facts actually support creation NOT toe!
U: The whole book is crazy do not know where it is but it staes about selling is daughter.
me: crazy? not really. the bible records both good & evil deeds. in some places 2day men sell their daughters!
U: Remember I have not seen the book in YEARSSSS. :) Don't know details.
me: then it's time. i read "the exorcist" & scared me so bad i WANTED 2 read the bible. then i wanted 2 know what it REALLY TRULY said Bcause folks i met around the world had all kinds of conflicting ideas ab
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Ok! I here you :)
But, Yes I have been a believer of God and Christian for 24 years. REad the bible because that was all I was taught to believe. But, when I grew older and realized the bible was missing some parts that were important to me to find out.
1. The beginning of the books is a false statement. (In my eyes)
2. The whole book is crazy do not know where it is but it staes about selling is daughter. Remember I have not seen the book in YEARSSSS. :) Don't know details.
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LONDON
LOVE Ur hair-U look like audrey hepburn
let me xplain
I represent JESUS & HIS word alone
no religion
no catholic
no protestant
Christian ONLY
Christianity is NOT a religion
it is a relationship with the LIVING GOD thru JESUS
b4 U rejected JESUS did U ever read the bible?
I mean the WHOLE thing 4 Urself 2 know 4 Urself what it actually says
or R U going by what others told U?
the only way U can know if the bible is true or false is 2 read it 4 Urself
do U know what JESUS did 4 U?
1st HE created U
2nd HE conquered Ur worst enemy (DEATH)
HE has made it possible 4 U 2 have eternal life in heaven
all HE asks in return is believe & obey HIM
HE said
-I am the WAY, the TRUTH & the LIFE...no 1 comes 2 the FATHER xcept thru ME
-if U love ME U will obey ME, if U don't U won't
-if U love & obey, U will B loved by MY FATHER & we will abide w/ U
-take MY yoke upon U & learn of ME 4 I am meek & lowly in heart & U shall find rest unto Ur soul
-he that believes & is baptized (immersed-NOT-sprinkled) shall be saved
-remain faithful until death & I will give U a crown of life
Do U hear? JESUS is rest 4 Ur soul & life 4 Ur body
JESUS is not a new path, but HE is the 1 & ONLY path
if “believe + obey + eternal life” is not acceptable to U HE will let U choose the path U desire & so will i
but i will NOT B quiet Bcause SOMEONE is seeking THE TRUTH
that's Y i'm here
HE will let U choose
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OH! and for your oh so cute comment:
"if ya don't got JESUS, ya don't got GOD.
if ya don't got GOD, ya don't got hope."
In order to get to HOPE you have to take certain pathways, not just sit their and pray/hope something will come around to SAVE you.
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lol.
REZI D.
You actually sound like someone who just started a new path. We acknowledge that but, please DO NOT try to change other people views to YOURS. Your God works for you, others he may not.
This is why I found a new Religion. Why are we afraid to let people be who they are. If I want to practice Buddhism ways I should be freely to do so without the backlash from other religions. So so funny.
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robyn,
the dalai lama doesn't know the 1st thing about enlightenment & neither do you.
JESUS is the ONE & ONLY LIGHT who came into the sin-darkened world & the world did not recognize HIM. HE is the GOOD SHEPHERD. HIS sheep hear HIS voice & follow HIM. & NO ONE comes to the FATHER except thru HIM.
if ya don't got JESUS, ya don't got GOD.
if ya don't got GOD, ya don't got hope.
But the good news is that if you are reading this, it's not too late.
Ask GOD:
-for a humble teachable heart.
-for understanding as you read HIS word, the bible (the New Testament is GOD's covenant with mankind).
-to lead you to HIS truth.
-to lead you to HIS true followers.
HE PROMISES that:
-those who diligently seek HIM will surely find HIM.
-HE is a rewarder of those who do.
-& those who do will not be disappointed.
Sincerely,
A recovering bleeding heart liberal
I once was lost, but now I'm found
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