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beings. In this way, serving others countries led by upright leaders not something to be expected to
in an engaged way is built into the with genuine concern for their naturally occur in an individual’s
ethical conduct for bodhisattvas citizens flourished in peace and mind by sheer association with
and thus can be embraced by others prosperity. This clearly testifies such teachings, or by being in
similarly inclined. to the folly of corruption rooted the company of practitioners,
in greed and selfishness and to unless one purposefully and
The principle of non-violence is the fruits of morality, love and regularly takes them to heart. At
central to Buddhist teachings, compassion. times, affiliation with a particular
but in certain countries where religion by whatever means, or
Buddhism has been the dominant Min Wei: As a matter of fact, even becoming knowledgeable in
religion, we read of the military there is no problem regarding the the Dharma may only serve to fuel
and sometimes monastics religion or the teachings itself as and enhance afflictions such as in-
stirring up hostility and even all these conflicts and violence are group biases or arrogance when
violence towards other faiths and due to human issues. According to the understandings stop short of
ethnic minorities. Their hard line Buddhism, the origin of conflict or integrating with one’s mind and
is causing increasing concern. violence amongst us comes from taming it. After all, society is made
How do we explain why centuries our own desire, greed, hatred and up of individuals.
of Buddhist teachings of love, attachment. Only loving kindness
compassion, and mindfulness and understanding can solve our Written by Geshe Dadul Namgyal
have not filtered into the social problems and conflicts. The source and edited by Martha Leslie Baker.
culture of these countries? of problems basically stems from
the lack of understanding and Venerable
Aggacitta: Whatever they call selfishness. Āyasmā
themselves—Buddhists, Christians, Aggacitta is the
Hindus, Muslims, Atheists; or However, the Buddha gave us many founder of the
whatever occupations they teachings which are conducive to Sāsanārakkha
profess—politicians, armed forces, our happiness in this world and Buddhist
monks, religious leaders, social hereafter. These teachings include Sanctuary (SBS) in Taiping, Perak,
activists—all humans are subject the four immeasurables which a Pāli scholar and a meditation
to the three unwholesome roots of are loving kindness, compassion, teacher.
greed, hate and delusion. Until and empathetic joy, and equanimity.
Geshe Dadul
unless these mental defilements are The aim of learning Buddhism is to
Namgyal
understood and tamed, the world overcome our desires, hatred and
will always be in turmoil as humans ignorance until we attain realization is a Geshe
Lharampa and
sway under their influence. and enlightenment - not to increase
senior resident
or accumulate more wealth, seek
Nowadays this issue is exacerbated teacher at
out more pleasure, higher position,
by the ubiquitous influence of Drepung Loseling Monastery in
greater power or to chase for honor.
social media that can quickly and Atlanta, Georgia, USA
drastically erode the established
Thus, we should really put the
social and cultural norms of a Ven. Min Wei is a teacher of
teachings into practice, stop fueling
society. e-learning at the International
anger and hatred. Instead, we
Buddhist College (IBC) and
should start cultivating the seed of
History has repeatedly shown an independent translator of
compassion and understanding.
us that empires fell when their Buddhism. EH
Geshe Dadul: The practice of love,
ruling elites slid into corruption
compassion, mindfulness, etc. is
and neglect of their citizens, while