Notes From the Dalai Lama's Talk on Compassion

Portland, Oregon, May 11, 2013

“Compassion means genuine loving kindness, the wish for others to be happy.  All the world’s religions -- every one -- message is compassion.  We need the practice of tolerance.  We need the practice of forgiveness.”

People of faith who aim to practice these values must be serious about it.  

“In many cases, religious practice is simply lip service.  Talk compassion, do something different.  Sometimes religion teaches us hypocrisy.”

“We can see among non-believers some people really dedicated to serving other people.  Be a compassionate person, not necessarily a religious believer.”

“Compassion is the key factor one one’s own well-being.  We are social animals, but those dogs always barking often remain lonely.”

Compassion includes tolerance and acceptance.  Anger is counter-balanced by tolerance and acceptance.  

Serving others is a tradition of all religions.  All religions have the same potential.

Be truly, sincerely committed.  Everyone needs the practice of compassion, in order to be happy.  Compassion is not only for religious people.

Compassion and affection are biological in nature.  (For example, nurturing a baby.)  As we grow older, greed and self-centeredness erode our compassion.  These are the costs of growing up.  

Religious tradition builds on the biological compassion, to encourage a lifetime of compassion.  All faiths have a tradition of compassion.  

Affection, action, and research are our karma in our lives.  When change occurs, we need to research, re-evaluate, take action, and change.   Action that is positive results in happiness.

A materialistic life is a cultural habit, and is living at a superficial level.  It is animal thinking.  So, go broader.  Humans are able to reason.  Use reason to extend compassion to all levels, all people.  Change your thinking.

Materialism is not happiness.  

The hygiene of emotion.  Our emotional state is as important as our physical state.  We need to educate ourselves and others about emotional health.  

This is “secular ethics”.  “Secular” means to respect all religions and the non-believer.  

Religion promotes basic human values, but, often, religious practices and views corrupt this.  The ruling class can corrupt this, and there is often bullying.  

Institutions get corrupted.  We need to recognize this,  change, and oppose this.  Religion isn’t necessarily religious institutions.  

Sincerely gentle people live better, more peaceful, happier lives, and have more friends.  

Affection, a sense of concern, brings trust, brings friendship.

Fear, hate, and anger eats at our immune system.  Compassion increases our immune system.

People, if they are NOT the recipient of affection early on in their lives, are less satisfied, have a lesser sense of love, are more anxious, and less happy.

Be committed.  Be unified with others who are also seeking more compassion in their lives.

Neal Lemery