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32 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

FROM A BUDDHIST

PERSPECTIVE

By Acharya Nyima Tsering

Nyima Tsering (1963–2011) graduated from the Central Institute of Higher
Tibetan Studies in Sarnath, Varanasi, India, where he attained the degree of
Acharya (Master of Philosophy) in 1993.

He conducted research on Buddhist Philosophy, worked as a translator of
Buddhist teachings for international student groups, and lectured at universities
and other institutions in the USA and India. He also participated in seminars,
gave workshops and lectures organized by the Tibetan Government and non-
government organizations. In addition, he published translations and his own
commentaries on major Buddhist teachings, and authored scholarly articles, and
romantic and patriotic poems in English and Hindi.

Nyima Tsering died on 10 February 2011 in Dharamsala, India.

Introduction:
Every sentient being is unique and is gifted with talents to deal with life in their
own way, since every one of us brings along our habitual collection from many
different experiences through many lifetimes in the past. Even in this life, we
come across people who are so different. So, the process of judgement differs
from one person to another, due to different frames of references, different
conditional process and habits that were ingrained since their childhood. So,
no book and person can meet the various requirement of every individual.
Therefore, I am here to share some of my ideas to deal with conflicts and
disputes. I hope it might serve as a catalyst to resolve conflicts.

There are different means to resolve conflicts. It can be temporary, similar to
giving an aspirin or painkiller to someone in pain, like polishing the surface of
the suffering mind though the symptoms remain tarnished beneath. There is
another technique, which penetrates more deeply into the fundamental source
of conflict.

I want to categorize three different methods to handle conflict:
• Using modern techniques
• Using common sense
• Knowledge of reality