By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, October 6: His Holiness the Dalai Lama today said it would be a lie to claim that one is cultivating Bodhichitta if that individual is still indulged in non-virtuous deeds. “Therefore, we must first and foremost refrain from non-meritorious deeds, which only cause sufferings,” the Tibetan leader said on the last day of the teaching on Aryadeva’s 400 Stanzas on the Middle Way (Uma Shigyapa) at the main temple of Tsuglakhang here.
Leading the ceremony to generate the awakening mind of Bodhichitta based on the aspirations expressed in the verses from Nagarjuna’s ‘Precious Garland,’ the Tibetan leader said that abstaining from 10 non-virtues is neither related to belief nor for the benefits in next life.
“It is better to have more friends than enemies. Non-virtuous deeds result in more enemies, risk and miseries, whereas virtuous practices yield more well-wishers. The ancient concept of Ahimsa also fall in this line, which shows that concept of refraining non-virtuous deeds is not just linked with beliefs,” the Tibetan spiritual leader said.
He also said that while taking the vows one should not just pray for minor things like fortune, happy and healthy life for oneself and dear ones. “So while taking vows, we must take refuge in the three jewels to over come our negative emotions to achieve nirvana, which would definitely lead to helping others on a larger scale.”
The Dalai Lama while acknowledging the devotees from various countries reminded that listening to teachings is only the beginning and that the ultimate task is to implement them to make transformation within.
The group at the end of the teaching offered His Holiness a long life prayer. His Holiness will be leaving Dharamshala on Saturday for a two-week trip to Europe.
