![]() If we do that, we will see a marked change, a feeling of relaxation. Being more altruistic and taking into account the feelings and well-being of other sentient beings is, in actual fact, a much more healthy approach in pursuing our own interests. However, we need a more realistic approach, that is, not to take self-interest too seriously but spend more time thinking about the well-being of other sentient beings. Of course the pursuit of our own self-interest is very important. ![]() Furthermore, based on our own personal experience, we can observe that the more we hold on to a strong sense of self-cherishing our own self-interest-the greater our own emotional and psychological problems. The interest of others is intimately linked with our own self-interest this is very true. On the other hand, if others are in a perpetual state of suffering, then we too will suffer from the same fate. Therefore, from the point of view of quantity, the welfare of other sentient beings becomes far more important than that of oneself.Įven from the point of view of our own self-interest, if others are happy and satisfied, then we ourselves can also be happy. In the case of this other, even if we are dealing with slight degrees of suffering, when aggregated, we are talking about the sufferings of an infinite number of beings. In contrast, when we speak about the well-being of other sentient beings, this word other refers to limitless, countless sentient beings. No matter how acute their suffering may be, we are still concerned here with the interest of one single person. What then is the difference between self and others? No matter how important and precious each person is, we are only talking about the well-being of one person. It is crucial to recognize this fundamental equality. Just as I, as an individual, have the natural right to fulfill this basic aspiration, so do all other sentient beings. Each of us individually is not satisfied with any level of pleasure and happiness, and this is true of all sentient beings. Like oneself, all other sentient beings are equal in having this wish to be happy and to overcome suffering. Shantideva states that since self and others are equal in having the innate desire to be happy and to overcome suffering, why do we seek our own self-interest at the expense of others-even to the extent of being totally oblivious to them? I think this points to something very true. On the basis of this comparison, we are able to see the benefits and merits of the aspiration to cherish the welfare of other sentient beings and the faults and disadvantages of a self-cherishing and self-centered attitude. What further need is there, he asks, to talk about this when we can see the qualities of the Buddha, who cherishes the welfare of other sentient beings, and the fate of ourselves, who are in this current state? We can easily be convinced of this by comparing the shortcomings of ordinary sentient beings with the enlightened qualities and wisdom of the buddhas. In his famed text The Way of the Bodhisattva, Shantideva states that all happiness and joy are the consequences of cherishing the well-being of other sentient beings, while all problems, tragedies and disasters are the consequences of self-cherishing attitudes. In this commentary on The Way of the Bodhisattva, he describes the awakened heart of the Buddha, which is his vow to attain enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings. Forget all the fancy meditation practices, says His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the real heart of Buddhism is complete commitment to others.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |