By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, November 14: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, currently touring Japan, concluded his three-day teaching on Shantideva’s ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ in Osaka on Sunday.
The Tibetan spiritual leader emphasized the importance of going through the chapters on patience and cultivation of Bodhichitta through equalizing and exchanging self and others.
“It is important to study the Middle Way (Madhyamika) texts of Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, Chandrakirti and Buddhapalita, as well as Bhavaviveka’s ‘Blaze of Reasoning’. Studying this enables you to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the meaning and context of Madhyamika philosophy,” the Dalai Lama recommended to his devotees.
On the second day of the teaching on November 12, His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with a group of Tibetans and around 150 Chinese before his teachings.
He urged the Tibetans to study the Tibetan language saying that Buddhist teachings based on the Nalanda Tradition is most comprehensively explained in Tibetan.
“I also encourage you (Tibetans) to study logics and philosophy in order to understand Buddhism,” he added.
To the Chinese followers, the Tibetan leader said, “You (Chinese) follow your parent’s religion. As you recite Heart Sutra, it is very important to study its meaning and what is Buddhism,” he said.
Due to a hectic schedule including an extended visit to South India in December followed by Kalachakra initiation in Bodh Gaya, His Holiness the Dalai Lama on November 11 said that he has decided to cancel the Guhyasamaja Empowerment.
Today, the 81 year-old Tibetan spiritual leader leaves for Koyasan Monastery. His Holiness will give a public talk on ‘Compassion: The Key to Happiness’ organized by the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on November 17.
