Dalai Lama Quest for Compassion

by Mary Ann Wilson, M.A.

Last Spring hundreds packed Royce Hall at the University of California, Los Angeles, to hear the 14^th Dalai Lama. The daylong event, sponsored by UCLA Extension, was entitled “The Spiritual Quest in the Modern World.” Garbed in burnt orange monastic robe, His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso charmed the audience with humor, wisdom and humility. An erudite translator assisted the exiled leader of Tibet, often breaking in to explain abstract Buddhist concepts with impressive clarity. The Dalai Lama also answered questions from a panel of professors and a psychologist, and the audience. Here are some highlights.

All sentient beings by nature possess an innate desire to seek happiness and overcome suffering, a desire based on a notion of self. All sentient beings therefore have a natural right to fulfill this aspiration. Because we have such a wonderful human intelligence – and therefore the ability to achieve a long duration of happiness and to overcome suffering through a more subtle method – we are better equipped to fulfill this aspiration.

Although each individual person has a unique mental disposition and separate circumstances, it is generally important to utilize human intelligence or human creative nature through a more balanced way. That means human intelligence should combine with a good human heart. Actually, I think these two things complement each other. Without wisdom, human good heart cannot develop effectively. Without good heart, human intelligence may become destructive. With intelligence, human affection becomes unlimited, powerful and essential.

Because our human existence is constituted by physical elements, we have innate needs and desires for sensory experiences. Thus, physical comforts are considered important in our quest for happiness. The ultimate factor for subtle happiness or joy, however, lies in the mental state. That’s why some people may feel something is lacking even though they have many material comforts. This feeling of something lacking leads to a loss of confidence and hope in oneself. And it can also lead to self-hatred.

When I first heard about this psychological problem of self-hatred, I was slightly taken aback. I thought that as human beings we all possess an innate notion of self and deep down we would consider our own welfares as most important.

Material development alone, then, is not the full answer for human happiness or for human future. This is where Eastern philosophy and Western technology come together. Of course, in the East we need more material development, and in the West you need more methods to sustain mental happiness or mental peace. So I think we can exchange for mutual benefit.

Now how do you develop the inner world to become more peaceful or more advanced? Good heart is the foundation of inner peace or inner development. I feel when we are born, we are, generally speaking, quite free from any ideology, but not free from human affection. Basic human nature is one of gentleness. And while anger, hatred and aggression are a part of human nature, the dominant force is human affection. Thus, the possibility exists to increase these qualities since this is the most dominant force.

To develop these qualities, one should reflect upon the advantages and benefits of developing within oneself such positive qualities as compassion, love, kindness and thoughtfulness. It is quite clear that if you develop these good mental qualities actively, you become happier. You also become a good example for the community, surrounded by genuine friends, love and smiles. Also, the people surrounding you benefit from your good qualities and become happy. Other sentient beings, like animals and insects, and the environment, benefit as well.

Genuine compassion is not only a feeling of sympathy or pity, but is a close feeling with others characterized by wisdom and a sense of responsibility. When we develop compassion, we gain inner strength which dispels fear and suspicion. One very healthy bridge between human beings is a sense of universal responsibility.

We should try to reduce negative thoughts such as anger and hatred. I consider anger the ultimate enemy. An outside enemy may be very troublesome, but if circumstances change, that enemy may become your best friend. The inner enemies, anger and hatred, are always negative. Constant frustration, anger and suspicion become very harmful to your health.

This first way of developing good human qualities is what I call basic spirituality. Basic human nature is compassion, forgiveness and tolerance. Many scientists agree that human affection is the most important factor in nurturing good health, particularly mental health. These qualities are important irrespective of whether or not you are a believer.

The second way of developing good human qualities is through religion. All religions carry the same message according to different people. The more variety of religions, the more useful for the variety of people. Religion essentially explores basic human good qualities. Religion, through the different methods, philosophies and techniques, has a basic aim: increase good human qualities and reduce negative human qualities. The presentation is different, but that doesn’t matter. The basic aim of religions, more or less, is to find and develop positive values within this life.

Destructiveness of anger

First of all, the very arousal of anger within one’s mind disturbs one’s calmness. One could say that it’s almost impossible to have a sense of joy or experience happiness when anger arises within one’s mind. The very arousal of anger in one’s mind is destructive.

However, anger built up as a result of some past traumatic experience should be expressed. It is wiser not to repress that anger so you can get over it.

But, generally speaking, the more one can avoid expressing anger towards others, the better it is. Anger causes disturbance in one’s mind.

Once anger has arisen in one’s mind, one’s mental state is very violent. It is very difficult to counteract that emotion once it has arisen. In some cases, in fact, it is better not to counteract it once it has arisen. So the more effective means of overcoming anger is to prevent its arousal at an earlier stage.

Responding to injustice

I think it is important to make the distinction between disliking and disapproving something and being angry towards that thing or person. For instance, you can strongly disapprove an action or injustice, and at the same time take very strong countermeasures without losing your temper and creating a negative reaction.

Sometimes, when you remain gentle and humble in the face of a strong injustice, some may take advantage of you. Analyze the situation. If you need to counteract, you can do so without anger. I believe the appropriate action taken without anger is more effective because you take that action with wisdom, not by anger. When anger develops, our highest intelligence – which judges right or wrong and long-or short-term interests – cannot function properly. Therefore, an action or decision fully controlled by anger, very often becomes wrong, something which you either regret later or is rendered ineffective. Without anger, the countermeasure is more effective. Of course, this is not easy, but it is possible.

Anger is quite clever because it appears as a protector and gives us more energy. But if you look closely, that energy is essentially blind. Often anger creates suffering for others and oneself also. But when dealing with anger, one has to constantly reflect and contemplate on the negative, destructive nature of anger. Such reflection has a gradual impact on the degree of anger which is aroused in one’s mind.

While anger, hatred and aggression are a part of human nature, the dominant force is human affection.

The role of women

Men and women are not only equal, but human beings are equal with other sentient beings, including insects. And each sentient being has the potential to become Buddha, or to have Buddha-nature. Both men and women have rights for full ordination.

However, in the highest Tantric teaching, women are considered more important than men. Most important in the practice of Tantrayana is the practice of clear light. That clear light or wisdom is considered feminine, while method is considered masculine.

In ordinary life, the first person who shows and teaches us the value of affection is generally our mother. I see milk as a symbol of love and compassion. Whenever I see statues of Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus, I always find it very inspiring.

It is very crucial for the women to campaign and fight for their rights. In our Buddhist tradition, there is a Goddess who determined to always be female and through that way, achieve Buddhahood. So, finally, she achieved Buddhahood. So I think already there is a feminist movement there.

War and religion

Sometimes a person facing threats will, due to individual weakness, seek support or security from any available source. And in ancient times, when human communities remained isolated from continent to continent, people accepted one religion. At that time, the tendency was to use religion as the highest authority. Now, in modern times, the world is smaller and there are a variety of religions. When confronting political problems, using religion as a basis of one’s identity creates a lot of problems. So it’s always better if we can avoid having to use religion to justify violence or war. I think it’s very sad.

Different religions need constant contact, not only on an intellectual level, but on a real spiritual experience level. Also, when having interreligious dialogues, it is important to appreciate and understand the fundamental philosophical and metaphysical differences that exist among various religions. On the basis of the appreciation of the differences, common ground and effort can be achieved.

All religions teach us to have good heart: compassion, love, forgiveness, tolerance. It is the approach that is different. Christianity teaches love of God. I believe if people love God, they will love other fellow beings who are creations of God. If someone prays to God, even with tears, but neglects loving a fellow human being, that person may not be a very sincere practitioner. Christianity’s approach is very powerful: we have to rely on a creator and follow the creator’s wish. That wish is love. This is a very powerful message.

According to Buddhism, there’s no God, there’s no Almighty or Creator of oneself. Then other human beings are the same as us, beings who want happiness, who do not want suffering. On that basis, one develops love and compassion. So the approach is a bit different, but the final message is the same.

♦

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