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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 25

A close friend in college struggled with obsessive-
compulsive disorder (OCD), and he thought Buddhism
and mindfulness might help him better control it. He
was nervous about attending the Buddhist class he’d
found, so I offered to accompany him. The class was on
understanding the mind from a Buddhist perspective,
and upon attending it, I was deeply fascinated. I bought
a few books on Buddhism and studied on my own for a
while, eventually falling in love with the dharma.

What sustained your years of dedication to the
Dharma?

The short answer to why I have remained dedicated
to studying and teaching dharma is that it is the most
effective way I’ve found to help people. And also that
it is a spiritual path that anyone, of any religion can I’ve heard that this prayer is performed each morning
practice. No living being is left out of Buddhism; and its by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
goodness excludes no one.
It can be used as a daily prayer to cultivate great
The less simple reason behind my dedication to Buddha compassion or recited to alleviate pain or suffering
dharma is that I’ve taken the Bodhisattva Vow. This faced others.
means I’ve promised to become enlightened for the
benefit of all beings. Here is a prayer I often recite. The Are there certain core teachings of the Buddha that
words come from the Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way you will suggest a beginner should first start to
of Life composed by the great Indian Buddhist Master understand?
Shantideva.
I would suggest starting with the simple teaching that
A Bodhisattva Prayer happiness comes from our mind, and that our problems
also stem from this inner source. But most importantly,
May I be a protector for the protectorless there is a need to practice in order to experience this
A guide for those on the path truth. One taste of dharma is better than 10,000 words.
A boat, a raft, a bridge for those who wish to cross the Discover that it is possible to raise our usual threshold
flood of happiness by changing our mental habits. Using
mindfulness to actually be happier will teach us what
May I be a light in the darkness 1,000 books cannot.
A resting place for the weary
A healing medicine for all who are sick “Everyone you meet always asks if you have a career,
A vase of plenty, a tree of miracles are married, or own a house as if life was some kind of

grocery list. But no one ever asks you if you are happy.”
And for the boundless multitudes of living beings --Heath Ledger
May I bring sustenance and awakening
Enduring like the earth and sky Happiness in our life is what the Buddha wanted
Until all beings are freed from sorrow to show us but sometimes people think Buddhism
And all are awaken is all about suffering. How do we overcome this
—Shantideva, Buddhist sage circa 700 A.D. misconception?