September 22, 1979 Los Angeles, California Embassy Auditorium University of Oriental Studies
32:21 minutes Summary (AI-generated):This recording provides an explanation of the fundamental role of compassion and altruism in both daily life and spiritual practice. It details the transition from basic kindness to the profound development of the altruistic mind of enlightenment (bodhicitta), emphasizing the need to balance material advancement with the cultivation of wisdom (prajñā) and meditative stabilization (śamatha).
Main Topics:
The Universality of Compassion
The explanation begins by highlighting compassion and love as the fundamental themes of the Buddha's teachings and as values shared across various religions. It suggests that while humans use their sophisticated brains to achieve material progress, this development must be balanced with the cultivation of a compassionate heart to maintain human values and achieve internal peace.
The Necessity of Altruism over Self-Cherishing
The recording explores the concept of altruism by comparing the singular self to the limitless number of other sentient beings. It posits that most global problems stem from self-cherishing and argues that true welfare is actually achieved more effectively when one focuses on the needs of others rather than clinging to self-interest.
Techniques for Cultivating an Altruistic Mind
The explanation details specific methods for generating a good mind, such as equalizing the distinction between friends, enemies, and neutral parties. By recognizing that all beings have been our friends or parents in past lives, one can develop a sense of love and compassion, eventually moving from merely wishing for the happiness of others to a firm determination to actively remove their suffering.
The Integration of Wisdom and Meditative Stabilization
The recording concludes by outlining the essential components of the bodhisattva path: the altruistic mind of enlightenment (bodhicitta), wisdom (prajñā), and meditative stabilization (śamatha). It emphasizes that a steady, one-pointed mind is a necessary foundation for realizing the nature of emptiness (śūnyatā) and for the subsequent practice of the six perfections (pāramitā).
