HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA
UNDERSTANDING OUR MIND AND THE CAUSES OF HAPPINESS
Commentary on the text “The Three Principal Aspects of the Path” by Je Tsongkhapa

Tuesday 4th August, from 9:30 to 11:30 and 14:00 to 16:00

Every human being wishes to have happiness and to avoid suffering. However, when we look at our own lives or at the world that surrounds us, we note that suffering is present everywhere and that the happiness to which we so deeply aspire often seems to remain inaccessible or transitory. Buddhism explains in a clear and complete way how at the same time the mind can cause suffering and that it is possible to train it in order to put an end to this suffering and its causes.
“The Three Principal Aspects of the Path” was composed by Je Tsongkhapa, an eminent Buddhist master of the 14th century, founder of the Tibetan Gelugpa tradition. Although it was written a very long time ago, this very rich text constitutes a source of invaluable inspiration for our current daily life, whatever our religion or our beliefs might be. During one day of teaching, through the explanation that His Holiness will give us based on this text, this richness will be conferred to us in a detailed way which is accessible to all, with the humour, sensitivity and warmth so characteristic of the 14th Dalai Lama.

This teaching will approach in particular the following topics:

What is the mind? • What are the causes of happiness? • What are the causes of suffering? • How can we develop the qualities of our mind? • How to cultivate compassion • How to develop serenity • How to develop our wisdom • How are all phenomena related to one another? • Why should we give up negative acts? • What are the causes and the consequences of our acts?