Joseph Campbell is one of my favorite authors about the inspiring commonality of the cultural and spiritual practices of tribes all over the world, from the ancients up to now.
In the Dalai Lama’s latest book, “Buddhism: One Teacher, Many Traditions,” co-authored by American Tibetan Buddhist nun, Venerable Thubten Chodron, various practices are explained and misconceptions are corrected.
I’ve combined three questions from three different readers, because a response to one overlaps with responses to all. In short, engaging in violence or harm of any sort directly counters the aim of all Buddhist practice: the aspiration to end suffering.
After spending three days listening to His Holiness the Dalai Lama teach in Oregon, the Venerable Thubten Jampa, of Sravasti Abbey, is still processing the experience. “What I really found amazing,” she said, “was when he went to leave, then turned back, and said ‘I’m the same as you. You have the same potential I have.’”