Dalai Lama begins second set of drel-pa Buddhapalita teaching
DHARAMSALA, Sept 4: His Holiness the Dalai Lama today began a four-day teaching on Buddhapalita’s Commentary on the Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way (drel-pa Buddhapalita) at Tsug-lag-Khang, the main temple in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala.
The morning teachings from September 4 –7, is a continuation of last year’s topic on Buddhapalita’s Commentary on the Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way. The teaching is being held at the request of a group from Asia including Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama began by thanking all the devotees who have braced all the odds and came from different parts of the world. Around 5000 devotees from 71 countries across the world have gathered today to attend the first day of the four-day teaching. The largest contingent was from Israel.
“All human beings desire happiness. But many of the problems that we face are our own creation because we seek happiness in the external matter not realising that they don’t help when we have problems within. Instead, we need to focus on the joy that comes with the peace of mind which allows us to remain happy whatever happens.” the Dalai Lama said before he began the teaching.
The Tibetan Spiritual leader further added that all religious traditions are concerned with human behaviour and teach compassion. “All major religious traditions convey a common message of love and compassion yet we often hear of fighting and killing in the name of religion,” the Tibetan Nobel Laureate said and added “whether one follows a religious belief and practice is one’s own personal choice but if one follows a religion sincerely, then how can one kill in the name of religion,” the Dalai Lama noted.
His Holiness then began the teaching of Buddhapalita’s Commentary on the Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way from Chapter 7, having covered till Chapter 6 during last years teaching.
