We need to be sincere in our practice, but at the same time we can't take ourselves too seriously. Tenzin Palmo More Quotes by Tenzin Palmo More Quotes From Tenzin Palmo Monastic life cuts off the distractions and emotional entanglements one becomes involved in, in the lay life. Tenzin Palmo distractioncuttingemotional Everyone should not be ordained, but for those who really feel that the only thing that matters in this world is the Dharma, then it is a logical step to adopt a form of life that automatically precludes worldly distractions. Tenzin Palmo matterstepsworld I think it would help if, when people are first ordained, they underwent a period of strict training, maybe for several years. During this time they would learn basic Buddhist philosophy in a monastic community where all the teaching and training was directed toward living a perfect monastic life and wasn't channeled out to fit into the lay life - which is what usually happens in Dharma centers where the teachings are directed toward how to live the Dharma in your everyday life. Tenzin Palmo buddhistteachingphilosophy Perhaps Westerners are in a better position to practice true renunciation than uneducated Orientals because most Western people, by the time they come to the Dharma, have led a pretty full worldly life with lots of sensual pleasures, money and lots of toys to play with. They have seen that the path of accumulation of worldly treasure does not lead to happiness or contentment. That's why they come to the Dharma. Tenzin Palmo practiceplaypeople If you don't find that people find you're easier to live with than you were before, if you don't find that your heart is feeling warmer toward others and if your negative emotions are not getting any better, then there's something wrong. That is always the touchstone of the Dharma practice. Tenzin Palmo practiceheartpeople Other people may tell us, "Oh, you're so much nicer." Of course you can't hope that other people will tell you that you're so much nicer, but that's always a good sign. Perhaps people find that you're easier to live with. Tenzin Palmo easiermaypeople In the beginning especially, we won't realize we're changing. Tenzin Palmo realizing To really be of benefit to others as the Buddha always taught, we ourselves must first get out of the swamp. One of the quickest and most effective ways to do this is in isolation, with very few distractions, working very hard at it and spending all your time and efforts at changing your mind. Tenzin Palmo working-very-hardeffortmind Try to develop some genuine love and compassion, some real caring for others. Tenzin Palmo compassioncaringreal Different people are different. Tenzin Palmo different-peoplesdifferentpeople Every country that meets Buddhism molds it into their own indigenous religion, as America will. A very clear example of this is Japan, which threw out almost all the dharma, and just kept that essence, which spoke to them. Tenzin Palmo japanbuddhismcountry I do think that someone who decides to devote themselves entirely to the spiritual life, that that is more meritorious. Tenzin Palmo spiritual-lifespiritualthinking I know many Catholic priests and nuns who use the Buddhist teachings to become better Catholics, and Jews who use them to become better Jews. Why not?! It just takes us towards more deeply recognizing our original nature, which is what we all share after all. Tenzin Palmo buddhistcatholicteaching Nowadays, mindfulness has become a catch-all word, but the general principle of trying to be more conscious and aware in our daily life is very important. Along with this, it's helpful to contemplate some of the mind training verses which are designed to take and transform all of the problems we experience. Tenzin Palmo trainingimportantmind If you become a monk because it's an easy life, because you're going to be fed, and sheltered and people will respect you, then that is not a very meritorious motivation. Tenzin Palmo monkmotivationpeople Distraction is the main problem for us all - what the Buddha called the monkey mind. We need to tame this monkey mind. Tenzin Palmo monkeysmindneeds Wherever we are and whatever we're doing, we're either conscious, or we're not. Tenzin Palmo conscious I think it's a meritorious action to become a monk, provided that your motivation is pure. Tenzin Palmo motivationactionthinking It's interesting that in those countries like Taiwan or Korea, where nuns are given equal opportunities for study and practice, they also develop great social awareness. Tenzin Palmo koreaopportunitycountry There is a tremendous rise now in feminine awareness and wishing for equality, equal opportunities. Tenzin Palmo awarenesswishopportunity
