Dalai Lama begins sermon on Bodhisattva

By: Avnish Katoch

Kangra, June 25
The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama yesterday started his nine-day-long sermon on ‘A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ in the main temple of Lord Buddha at McLeodganj.

The sermon being held on the request of a large group from Taiwan was attended by thousands of Buddhist followers from different countries around the world

Dalai Lama arrived in the main temple amid tight security at 9.30 am with lamas and followers prostrating from the gate of the palace to the temple. His main emphasis during the course would be on ‘Shantideva’s Compendium of Precepts (Laptu)’ and ‘A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’.

Hundreds of Buddhist followers from Taiwan and Singapore carrying placards were seen in long queues to enter the venue. Commenting on Shantideva’s exhaustive exposition of the Bodhisattva’s way of life, His Holiness observed that a Bodhisattva responds even to an enemy with nothing but compassion.

The awakened mind of bodhichitta arouses delight in whoever comes across him. His Holiness, explained, compassion and love are necessary for our very survival. He offered the example of children. Those who grow up in compassionate families become mature and balanced adults. On the other hand, those who grow up without love and compassion are unable to relate intimately and affectionately with others, which predisposes them to bouts of loneliness.

Shantideva’s advice for developing an awakened mind explains how to cultivate single-pointed meditation with clarity and alertness, free from distractions and thoughts of desire.