"..Throughout history there have been individual nuns who
rose to eminence, beginning of course with Mahaprajapati. Whatever other
qualities they may have had, these women revealed remarkable determination and
courage. They were single-minded in the pursuit of their chosen goal, without
regard for encouragement or disappointment. I urge you, both as individuals and
communities, to adopt a similar approach."
"..Having taken ordination we must constantly remember that
the primary reason for holding vows as a nun or a monk is to be able to
dedicate ourselves to the practice of the Dharma. Even if only a few
individuals try to create mental peace and happiness within themselves and act
responsibly and kind-heartedly towards others, they will have a positive
influence in their community. As well as being equally capable, women have an
equal responsibility to do this."
Shakyamuni Buddha
attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya over two and a half thousand years ago, yet
his teaching remains refreshing and relevant today. No matter who we are or
where we live, we all want happiness and dislike suffering. The Buddha
recommended that in working to overcome suffering, we should help others as
much as we can. He further advised that if we cannot actually be of help, we
should at least be careful not to harm anyone.
Part of Buddhist
practice involves training our minds through meditation. But if our training in
calming our minds, developing qualities like love, compassion, generosity and
patience, is to be effective, we must put them into practice in day to day
life. In an increasingly interdependent world our own welfare and happiness
depend on many other people. As human beings others have a right to peace and happiness
equal to our own. We therefore have a responsibility to help those in need.
This conference is
mainly focused on the concerns of Buddhist nuns. In the past, in many Buddhist
countries, nuns did not have the same educational opportunities as monks, nor
access to the same facilities. Due to prevailing social attitudes nuns were
often treated or regarded in ways that are no longer acceptable today. I am
happy to see that these things are beginning to change. Recently, the first
Winter Debate Session for nuns was held in Dharamsala, in which nuns from
several nunneries participated successfully. Here was clear evidence of the
improved educational standards that nuns now enjoy.
Throughout history there
have been individual nuns who rose to eminence, beginning of course with
Mahaprajapati. Whatever other qualities they may have had, these women revealed
remarkable determination and courage. They were single-minded in the pursuit of
their chosen goal, without regard for encouragement or disappointment. I urge
you, both as individuals and communities, to adopt a similar approach. I
believe that inner peace plays an important role in the development of
determination and courage. In that state of mind you can face difficulties with
calm and reason, while keeping your inner happiness. In my experience, the
Buddha’s teachings of love, kindness and tolerance, the conduct of nonviolence,
and especially the view that all things are relative and interdependent are a
source of that inner peace.
I have remarked before
that whenever Buddhism has taken root in a new land there has always been a
certain variation in the style in which it is observed. The Buddha himself
taught differently according to the place, the occasion, and the situation of
those who were listening to him. To some extent, as Buddhist nuns, you are now
participating in the evolution of a Buddhism for a new time, a time when the
universal principle of the equality of all human beings takes precedence. It is
heartening to observe, as your conference clearly demonstrates, that Buddhist
women are casting off traditional and outmoded restraints.
All of you have a great responsibility to take the essence of
Buddhism and put it into practice in your own lives. Having taken ordination we
must constantly remember that the primary reason for holding vows as a nun or a
monk is to be able to dedicate ourselves to the practice of the Dharma. Even if
only a few individuals try to create mental peace and happiness within
themselves and act responsibly and kind-heartedly towards others, they will
have a positive influence in their community. As well as being equally capable,
women have an equal responsibility to do this.
I offer my greetings to
all participants, as well as my sincere prayers that your conference may be
successful in contributing to a more peaceful and happier world.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
January 12, 1996
Life as a Western Buddhist Nun Conference
January 12, 1996
Life as a Western Buddhist Nun Conference
No comments :
Post a Comment