A Bird Needs Two Wings: Wisdom and Compassion

Teaching with Venerable Robina Courtin on wisdom and compassion, including the following -

The wisdom wing is all the nuts and bolts of Buddha's teachings, the four noble truths (what is suffering, it's causes, that you can get rid of it, and how to do the job). Buddha is the same as a scientist, in that belief is the starting point but you've got to prove it, make it your own experience. Karma and ethics, we create ourselves moment by moment, you are the main cause of you. The vast majority of all humans on this planet have absolutely no idea that what goes on in their mind plays any role at all in their lives. Every thought produces the person I become. The first level of practice is to control the servants of the mind - the body and the speech, because every negative action (an action that harms another) - it will harm you! Ignorance, attachment and anger, the three poisons. If you want to help others, practice compassion; if you want to help yourself, practice compassion. When you're with others, watch your body and speech; when you're on your own, watch your mind.

Questions include - the Dalai Lama's album - Inner World, working with death row prisoners, understanding karma, activism and Buddhism, Nelson Mandela, psychedelic therapy, people who don't want to help themselves, books on Buddhism, practising to improve samsaric existence, do wisdom and compassion grow together, eating meat, karma and ignorance, and daily practice.

The Buddhist Society London, 17th June 2020.