We offer a range of advice and talks by His Holiness the Dalai Lama designed to inspire, as well as links to written resources.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama recently gave two days of teachings on the ‘Lamp for the Path of Enlightenment’ at the request of the monasteries and Tibetan Buddhists of Ladakh. During the COVID lockdown, His Holiness has offered myriad traditional teachings, as well as talks on contemporary subjects such as Science and the Mind, Social Engagement and how to live our life for the benefit of ourselves and others. A rich collection of recordings can be found at his website .
VIDEOS
Desmond Tutu and His Holiness: Joy and Happiness
His Holiness the Dalai Lama reunites online with Archbishop Desmond Tutu from his residence in Dharamsala on June 24, 2021. This uplifting 5 minute video shows the teasing, mischievousness as well as the depth of friendship, of these two inspiring world leaders. This interview was on the occasion of the release of their new movie Mission: Joy – Finding Happiness in Troubled Times. For more info please see https://missionjoy.org/
Nature of the Mind
His Holiness delivers a 2 hour teaching which exemplifies his interest in Science and the Mind, and his initiatives exploring how neuroscience can measure the benefits and applications of the Buddhist practices of compassion and Mahamudra . Mahamudra practice aims to bring about the innate mind of clear light, the mind of awareness. His Holiness also speaks about Rigpa awareness, within the Dzogchen teaching lineage and the nature of the mind. His Holiness also covers the Four Noble Truths and Neurobiology.
Compassionate Ethics in Difficult Times
His Holiness addresses religious leaders, teachers and others in New York. He talks about his commitment to promoting religious harmony, for example, being introduced by a Christian minister as a good Christian, and his experiences with other faiths. He discusses how science has measured how affection is necessary for the development of children and animals.
Pilgrimage to the Mahabodhi Temple
At this time when travel is not possible due to the COVID pandemic, we can gain inspiration as we watch His Holiness visit the holy Mahabodhi Temple. He talks about how everything exists in dependence on each other, and how this can be an antidote to negative emotions of anger and disturbance. He explains that all religions have the same message of love.
His Holiness on His Last Day in Lhasa
Here in this short excerpt of a longer talk, His Holiness the Dalai Lama recounts in detail his hair-raising escape from Lhasa on 17th March 1959.
His Holiness Addresses the G7 on Climate Crisis
Here in this short address, His Holiness the Dalai Lama urges leaders to see themselves as one, rather than individual’s with a self-centres narrow-minded attitude. The time has come to think of humanity and the whole world and to recognise that global warming has become a most serious matter. He gives the example of how Tibet has less snow, which affects all of the Asian countries downstream.
Long Life Puja for His Holiness (includes the Oracles)
This beautiful and rich ceremony is age old, and Tibet TV managed to capture amazing footage including the preparations, the falling into trance and the advice to His Holiness of the Oracles (Khandro-la Rinpoche is one). The practice of making long-life offerings to the guru, increases the student’s connection and also, it is said, their own long life, as well as, of course, the precious teacher’s. Those interested in ceremony and ritual are invited to watch this ceremony and make virtual mental offerings in their own way, to His Holiness.
WRITTEN RESOURCES TO DOWNLOAD
His Holiness’ talks, interviews and teachings are available in written form to download.
Compassion and Human Values
World Peace
Environment
Religious Harmony
Buddhism
Retirement and Reincarnation
Tibet
Transcripts and Interviews
Acceptance Speeches
Dogyal (Shugden)
Illuminating the Path to Enlightenment E-book
This book, published by the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive, can be read online. In it His Holiness the Dalai Lama gives a commentary to not only Atisha’s A Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment, but also to Lines of Experience, a short lam-rim text written by Lama Tsong Khapa. In bringing together the teachings of Atisha, Lama Tsong Khapa and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, this book offers listeners one of the clearest and most authoritative expositions of the Tibetan Buddhist path ever published. These teachings were given by His Holiness in Los Angeles in 2000 and were sponsored and published by Thubten Dhargye Ling in partnership with the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s words on the Qualities of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
‘His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the supreme leader in spreading the Dharma in the world today, in particular the stainless teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa. These activities are most important in the world. It is of the highest importance to have His Holiness continue these most precious activities for a very long time to come. We are very humbled to be asked to help in such a noble and worthy project.
It is so important to have His Holiness in this world today. No president or leader of a country, or Buddhist leader, in the world today can compare with His Holiness’s incomparable wisdom, compassion and special effect on the world.
An ordinary poor Tibetan beggar reciting OM MANI PADME HUM may not be wealthy in a material way like an American or European but that Tibetan is unbelievably rich mentally due to having His Holiness as their guru, guiding them to enlightenment and giving advice on how to live their life. Without His Holiness we Tibetans are like a body without a head.’
‘If you are not the actual Compassionate-Eyed Buddha, there is no other compassionate Buddha guiding us sentient beings.’
Lama Zopa Rinpoche