A Message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Excerpts:

"..Throughout history there have been individual nuns who rose to eminence, beginning of course with Mahaprajapati. Whatever other qualities they may have had, these women revealed remarkable determination and courage. They were single-minded in the pursuit of their chosen goal, without regard for encouragement or disappointment. I urge you, both as individuals and communities, to adopt a similar approach."

"..Having taken ordination we must constantly remember that the primary reason for holding vows as a nun or a monk is to be able to dedicate ourselves to the practice of the Dharma. Even if only a few individuals try to create mental peace and happiness within themselves and act responsibly and kind-heartedly towards others, they will have a positive influence in their community. As well as being equally capable, women have an equal responsibility to do this."

Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya over two and a half thousand years ago, yet his teaching remains refreshing and relevant today. No matter who we are or where we live, we all want happiness and dislike suffering. The Buddha recommended that in working to overcome suffering, we should help others as much as we can. He further advised that if we cannot actually be of help, we should at least be careful not to harm anyone.

Part of Buddhist practice involves training our minds through meditation. But if our training in calming our minds, developing qualities like love, compassion, generosity and patience, is to be effective, we must put them into practice in day to day life. In an increasingly interdependent world our own welfare and happiness depend on many other people. As human beings others have a right to peace and happiness equal to our own. We therefore have a responsibility to help those in need.

This conference is mainly focused on the concerns of Buddhist nuns. In the past, in many Buddhist countries, nuns did not have the same educational opportunities as monks, nor access to the same facilities. Due to prevailing social attitudes nuns were often treated or regarded in ways that are no longer acceptable today. I am happy to see that these things are beginning to change. Recently, the first Winter Debate Session for nuns was held in Dharamsala, in which nuns from several nunneries participated successfully. Here was clear evidence of the improved educational standards that nuns now enjoy.

Throughout history there have been individual nuns who rose to eminence, beginning of course with Mahaprajapati. Whatever other qualities they may have had, these women revealed remarkable determination and courage. They were single-minded in the pursuit of their chosen goal, without regard for encouragement or disappointment. I urge you, both as individuals and communities, to adopt a similar approach. I believe that inner peace plays an important role in the development of determination and courage. In that state of mind you can face difficulties with calm and reason, while keeping your inner happiness. In my experience, the Buddha’s teachings of love, kindness and tolerance, the conduct of nonviolence, and especially the view that all things are relative and interdependent are a source of that inner peace.

I have remarked before that whenever Buddhism has taken root in a new land there has always been a certain variation in the style in which it is observed. The Buddha himself taught differently according to the place, the occasion, and the situation of those who were listening to him. To some extent, as Buddhist nuns, you are now participating in the evolution of a Buddhism for a new time, a time when the universal principle of the equality of all human beings takes precedence. It is heartening to observe, as your conference clearly demonstrates, that Buddhist women are casting off traditional and outmoded restraints.

All of you have a great responsibility to take the essence of Buddhism and put it into practice in your own lives. Having taken ordination we must constantly remember that the primary reason for holding vows as a nun or a monk is to be able to dedicate ourselves to the practice of the Dharma. Even if only a few individuals try to create mental peace and happiness within themselves and act responsibly and kind-heartedly towards others, they will have a positive influence in their community. As well as being equally capable, women have an equal responsibility to do this.

I offer my greetings to all participants, as well as my sincere prayers that your conference may be successful in contributing to a more peaceful and happier world.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama
January 12, 1996
Life as a Western Buddhist Nun Conference