The basic Buddhist stand on the question of equality between the genders is age-old. At the highest tantric levels, at the highest esoteric level, you must respect women: every woman.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of respecting women at all levels of existence.
The Dalai Lama highlights the timeless and fundamental principle of gender equality, rooted in Buddhist teachings. He asserts that respect for women is not just a societal norm but a spiritual obligation that transcends ordinary understanding and is vital even in the highest spiritual practices.
In practice
In a discussion on gender equality at a community meeting, one might quote the Dalai Lama to emphasize the importance of respect.
Human beings are not intrinsically selfish, which isolates us from others. We are essentially social animals who depend on others to meet our needs. We achieve happiness, prosperity and progress through social interaction. Therefore, having a kind and helpful attitude contributes to our own and others' happiness.
Material objects give rise to physical happiness, while spiritual development gives rise to mental happiness. Since we experience both physical and mental happiness, we need both material and spiritual development. This is why, for our own good and that of society we need to balance material progress with inner development.
All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.
The ultimate source of a happy life is warm-heartedness. This means extending to others the kind of concern we have for ourselves. On a simple level we find that if we have a compassionate heart we naturally have more friends. And scientists today are discovering that while anger and hatred eat into our immune system, warm-heartedness and compassion are good for our health.
My religion is kindness. _x000D_ A good mind, a good heart, _x000D_ warm feelings these are _x000D_ the most important things.
If a person's basic state of mind is serene and calm, then it is possible for this inner peace to overwhelm a painful physical experience. On the other hand, if someone is suffering from depression, anxiety, or any form of emotional distress, then even if he or she happens to be enjoying physical comforts, he will not really be able to experience the happiness that these could bring.
Let us fight the battle-retreat from the things that attract us and rouse ourselves to meet the things that actually attack us.
Outside of that single fatality of death, everything, joy or happiness, is liberty.
Men rarely if ever dream up a god superior to themselves. Most gods have the manners and morals of a spoiled child.
Because you are a great lord, you believe yourself to be a great genius. You took the trouble to be born, but no more.
He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man.
Having lived through the transition from totalitarianism, I am acutely mindful of the need to never take for granted the basic freedoms of thought, expression and belief that democracy brings.
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