suffering – Human Values Institute

Empathy and compassion

Last night in Tokyo with my Human Values Institute group we discussed in some detail the distinctions between empathy and compassion. I had just stepped off a 12+ hour flight, and spent about 20 hours […]

Offer happiness and peace to all my mother

This awesome text on compassion written nearly 1300 years ago, called ‘8 Verses of Mind Training’ by the humble Samurai Spiritual Warrior Langri Thangpa.’ Verse 7 reads: “In short, may I directly and indirectly Offer […]

The most important days of the year in the Buddhist calendar

Today is one of the 4 most important days of the year in the Buddhist calendar. It is the day of miracles when the Buddha displayed miracles to sustain the nascent Buddhist tradition. The karmic […]

The root of the problem

For those interested in understanding the teachings of the Buddha, to eliminate suffering for oneself and others, this schema presented in the last post is crucial to understand. The root of the problem is a […]

Distorting reality

Imagining our early anger as a cloud that dissipates, transforming anger into tolerance, can be very effective. Yet to fully get rid of our anger, and all of our destructive emotions like jealousy, pride, greed, […]

Martin Luther King Jr. and Thich Nhat Hahn said

Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” And more wisdom again wrapped in love from Thich Nhat […]

Humility

This chronic disease of cherishing ourselves is the cause giving rise to our unsought suffering. Recognizing this, we seek the courage and strength to blame, destroy, and say no to this monstrous demon of selfishness. […]

We are not alone.

As we recognize others’ suffering and realize that we are not alone, our pain is lessened. There’s a Tibetan saying: ‘Wherever you have friends that’s your country, and wherever you receive love, that’s your home.’

Happiness and suffering comes from

Normally people think happiness and suffering comes from outside. That’s not true! Happiness and suffering depends on the way you think. Today is the 15th day of Saka Dawa, Buddha Purnima, the day Buddha was […]

Experience of suffering

To the extent that our experience of suffering reminds us of what everyone else also endures, it serves as a powerful inspiration to practice compassion and avoid causing others pain. And to the extent that […]