Ep. 297 – Advice from the Dalai Lama: The Fragrance of Nirvana

Jack shares stories and insights from a rare gathering with the Dalai Lama on what really makes a teacher, and how compassion—not titles—spreads the Dharma.

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This time on Heart Wisdom, Jack thoughtfully explores these themes & topics:

• Spring renewal at Spirit Rock & the wider Buddhist boom
• 1,000 U.S. meditation centers — a movement far bigger than any one sangha
• The Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra on gathering “in harmony and concord”
• The Dalai Lama: compassion over conversion; students over titles
• What really authorizes a teacher? (Hint: their students’ freedom)
• “Spy on your teachers” — trusting slowly & wisely
• The scent-test of liberation: recognizing authentic peace
• “Bodhisattva off-duty?” — practice everywhere, even with late-night TV temptations
• Spiritual life as engagement with, not escape from, difficulty
• Interdependence: why true emptiness embraces every creature
• Speaking out against spiritual misconduct & retraumatization
• The wounded student, the wounded teacher — bringing psychology into Dharma

This Dharma Talk recorded on 03/29/93 at Spirit Rock Meditation Center was originally published on DharmaSeed.

“The Dalai Lama said, ‘Nirvana has a wonderful scent—like flowers.’ You can tell it when you're around someone connected with nirvana. You can tell it around places where there’s that fragrance of peace, well-being, and liberation.” – Jack Kornfield

“Deep down, what matters is only the spirit of compassion—only what benefits beings in every form, in every realm on this earth. Don’t think about how to spread Buddhism. It doesn’t matter if there are even one or two more Buddhists. The only thing that matters is the well-being of each person and the well-being of the earth that we live on.” – Jack Kornfield quoting H.H. the Dalai Lama

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

About Jack Kornfield:

Jack Kornfield trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India, and Burma, studying as a monk under the Buddhist master Ven. Ajahn Chah, as well as the Ven. Mahasi Sayadaw. He has taught meditation internationally since 1974 and is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. Jack co-founded the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, with fellow meditation teachers Sharon Salzberg and Joseph Goldstein and the Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California. His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies.

Jack is currently offering a wonderful array of transformational online courses diving into crucial topics like Mindfulness Meditation Fundamentals, Walking the Eightfold Path, Opening the Heart of Forgiveness, Living Beautifully, Transforming Your Life Through Powerful Stories, and so much more. Sign up for an All Access Pass to explore Jack’s entire course library. If you would like a year's worth of online meetups with Jack and fellow community, join The Year of Awakening: A Monthly Journey with Jack Kornfield.

Stay up to date with Jack and his stream of fresh dharma offerings by visiting JackKornfield.com and signing up for his email teachings.

“Only the benefit you bring to others proves the depth of your own practice.” – Jack Kornfield

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