Wednesday, January 12, 2005

The Philosophy of Kindness

My religion is kindness.

My message is the practice of compassion, love, and kindness.
Compassion can be put into practice if one recognizes the fact that
every human being is a member of humanity and the human family
regardless of differences in religion, culture, color, and creed.
Deep down, there is no difference.

We should try never to let our happy frame of mind be disturbed.
Whether we are suffering at present or have suffered in the past,
there is no reason to be unhappy.
If we can remedy it, why be unhappy?
And if we cannot, what use is there in being depressed about it?
That just adds more unhappiness and does no good at all.

By developing a sense of respect for others and a concern for their welfare,
we reduce our own selfishness, which is the source of all problems,
and enhances our sense of kindness which is a natural source of goodness.

This is my simple religion.
There is no need for temples;
no need for complicated philosophy.
Our own brain, our own heart is our temple;
the philosophy is kindness.

~ the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso

When photographers get bored.