By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, January 9: Thousands of disciples from more that 30 countries are currently attending teachings by the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Sarnath in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
The Dalai Lama began his four-day teaching on Shantideva’s A Guide to the Boddhisattva’s Way of Life (chodjug) near the Central University of Tibetan Studies, Monday.
Beginning the teachings, His Holiness said he felt fortunate to be able to give the teachings and advised those attending to also feel fortunate to be able to receive the teachings.
“This is not about listening in order simply to receive blessings. Nor is it a case of hearing the teaching once and then setting it aside. You have to study steadily, understand it and think about it again and again,” the 77-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader said.
His Holiness noted that he received the transmission and explanation of the text, Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, from the Kinnauri, Khunu Lama Tenzing Gyaltsen in Bodhgaya.
Reacting to the reports of lamas interested in money and women going to China and misbehaving, he said, “You who are there should examine the Lama’s qualities and measure them against the 10 qualifications of a Lama or Guru specified by Maitreya. And if they don’t measure up, engage them in discussion, but don’t treat them as Lamas.”
His Holiness also recalled how the status of Lamas, Geshes and Abbots has changed from the past.
“In the past in Tibet a Lama’s status was judged by the number of horses he had, while Geshes and Abbots were not honoured that much; this has now changed. Geshes and Abbots are Lamas, who are not counted as Trulkus, (recognised reincarnate lamas), but are qualified by their education and practice. In the West are those who claim to be Lamas, but who are really seeking a livelihood.”
During the discourse on the second day, the Dalai Lama noted that anger has the greatest potential to destroy the virtue one has gathered.
His Holiness said anger yields no benefit in this life and instead creates negative karma that will harm us in the future.
“Just as those who go to war do so with grim determination, once we realise the seriousness of our disturbing emotions, we will enter into combat with them seriously,” the Dalai Lama said.
“Learned, noble and gentle, are the qualities we ascribe to Lamas – but they are qualities everyone can aspire to.”
Live webcast of the teachings is available here in English, Chinese and Russian languages.
