Bodhisattva's Way of Life: 26-June-2006 (Day 3 of 7; Afternoon) - Dalai Lama Audio Teachings on Tibetan Buddhism Podcast

In his preliminary remark His Holiness the Dalai Lama first draws attention to the multiplicity of levels and varieties of teachings within Buddhism itself and identifies the qualities they share with other worthy religions and paths of practice that have appeared in the world. Then His Holiness shows what sets Buddhism apart from those other paths, its rejection of a self-sufficient, independent self, and then he demonstrates just how the wisdom of selflessness, applied to persons and objects alike, will eradicate not just a portion, but the whole spectrum of the disturbing emotions of attachment and aversion. Presenting the remaining verses of Chapter 3 His Holiness whole heartedly endorses Shantideva’s commitment to Bodhichitta as the supreme method for arousing conducive factors and eliminating hindrances for ourselves and others. Generating Bodhichitta is a daunting task but we have the precious opportunity here and now. When shall we have it again? To remain any longer under the sway of the disturbing emotions is a terrible fate. Shantideva’s eloquent reasoning in Chapter 4 and the first movement of Chapter 5 and His Holiness’s unassuming example of what it is to vanquish the self are a uniquely inspiring and compelling combination.