In this extraordinary series, Geshe Tashi gives us regular updates on the Coronavirus Pandemic amongst the Tibetan diaspora in India through the lens of Sera Monastery, home to around 6,000 monks. In response to emails asking after his welfare and requesting advice on Coronavirus and Buddhist practice, he generously shares his observations, thoughts and advice in his usual warm-hearted and accessible style.
As part of this Practicing Buddhism in a Pandemic series, Geshe Tashi quotes a Time magazine article by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the need for courage and compassion in the face of the Coronavirus. Geshe Tashi elaborates, explaining how we need courage in order to have compassion. Courage does not magically appear from just anywhere. The courage we need comes from our understanding. The courage of the bodhisattva, in particular, comes from understanding the workings of the self-centred mind, and the many serious disadvantages such a narrowly focussed, short-sighted mind will bring. This kind of courage and understanding comes from study, contemplation and meditation.
Taking Helen Keller and a bicycle recycling bin man from Scotland as examples, Geshe Tashi explains how we can use our understanding and skills to help us act with courage, and how these small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
https://foundationsofbuddhistthought.org/
Khen Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsering taught in London for over 25 years and is currently Abbot of Sera Mey Monastery in Karnataka State, India.
We hope you enjoy some atmospheric photos of Geshe la doing his weekly Wednesday offering.
