H.H. Dalai Lama Teachings Washington D.C. 1998, Verse 3

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: One could say that for a Buddhist practitioner, the real enemy is this enemy within--these mental and emotional defilements.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama: One could say that for a Buddhist practitioner, the real enemy is this enemy within--these mental and emotional defilements.

Teachings given on November 8, 1998 in Washington D.C. by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on The Eight Verses of Training the Mind.

Training the Mind: Verse 3

May I examine my mind in all actions and as soon as a negative state occurs, since it endangers myself and others, may I firmly face and avert it.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama

This verse really gets to the heart of what could be called the essence of the practice of the buddhadharma. When we talk about Dharma in the context of Buddhist teachings, we are talking about nirvana, or freedom from suffering. Freedom from suffering, nirvana, or cessation is the true Dharma. There are many levels of cessation–for example, restraint from killing or murder could be a form of Dharma. But this cannot be called Buddhist Dharma specifically because restraint from killing is something that even someone who is nonreligious can adopt as a result of following the law. The essence of the Dharma in the Buddhist tradition is that state of freedom from suffering and defilements (Skt. klesha, Tib. nyonmong) that lie at the root of suffering. This verse addresses how to combat these defilements or afflictive emotions and thoughts. Continue reading »