成人快手

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The Dalai Lama
My Choice...

...As long as space endures, And for as long as all living beings remain, Until then may I too abide, To dispel the misery of the world...
-- Shantideva, 8th century Indian Buddhist Saint


I have chosen this extract because in Buddhism compassion and altruism are central practices.

This verse very powerfully brings forth the value, meaning and purpose of how one should think or practice.

It also clearly shows how small the problems and difficulties of this one life are. I therefore find hope, inspiration and strength in this verse.

About the Quotation

Shantideva was an Indian Buddhist. His great work, the Bodhicharyavatara, or Entrance to the Path of Awakening became a major text of Tibetan Buddhism long after it went out of circulation in its homeland.

Like the Old Testament's Book of Proverbs, the Bodhicharyavatara is a timeless work of wisdom.

Shantideva's words on topics such as doing good, keeping good company, and on the nature of the mind and reality, are to many worthy of recitation and committing to memory.

More about the Dalai Lama...
The Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama, the best known face of Tibetan Buddhism, has lived in exile in India since he fled the Chinese occupation of his country in 1959.

Born as Lhamo Dhondrub on 6 July 1935, he was recognised at the age of two as the reincarnation of his predecessor, the 13th Dalai Lama. Dalai Lama literally translates as 'Ocean of Wisdom'.

The Dalai Lama follows the life of a Buddhist monk - living in a small cottage in Dharamsala and rising at 4am to meditate. He then pursues an ongoing schedule of administrative meetings, private audiences and religious teachings - concluding each day with further prayer before retiring.

He says "I always believe that it is much better to have a variety of religions, a variety of philosophies, rather than one single religion or philosophy. This is necessary because of the different mental dispositions of each human being. Each religion has certain unique ideas or techniques, and learning about them can only enrich one's own faith."

The Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

The Dalai Lama
His own moving words

"Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day."

"We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection."

"My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness."

Audio