Durban - Everyone is looking for real, pure and lasting happiness, but we don’t really know how to fulfil this, our oldest and deepest wish, says Buddhist nun Gen-la Kunsang.
In an exclusive interview the internationally respected teacher spoke about how everyone could find freedom from their daily problems and cultivate pure happiness within by connecting to the positive potential of one’s own mind.
Kunsang, originally from Switzerland, was drawn to Buddhism at a young age.
“I had been searching for a spiritual path, something more than just eating, working, sleeping, something more than the ordinary way of life,” she said.
Kunsang is now the deputy spiritual director of the New Kadampa Tradition, an international Buddhist tradition dedicated to world peace. She studied and practised Kadampa Buddhism for 30 years under the guidance of her teacher, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. She is an inspiring teacher who has helped many people improve their lives through meditation and her kind-hearted example.
“Modern Buddhism teaches us, in a very practical way, efficient methods through which we can learn to solve our daily human problems and how to become better, happier people. In this way our suffering and dissatisfaction will reduce.
“If we improve ourselves, our life will improve. These teachings are beneficial and suitable for everyone,” said Kunsang.
“The best way is to improve our own human nature and qualities through developing the capacity of our mind.
“Through this we become good-hearted and wise and are able to help others be the same.”
When asked what encouragement she would give to the people at Durban, Kunsang had simple advice.
“Try to be generous and not selfish. Remember always, everybody wants to be happy and avoid suffering, so don’t cause harm to anybody, but try to make them happy. Always try to be patient and offer respect, and try to be a friend to everyone,” the Buddhist teacher said. - The Mercury
* Visit www.meditateinsa.org for details.
Kunsang will speak at the Blue Waters Hotel at 7pm on March 4. Her talk will be titled “A Vision for a Joyful Life”. Tickets are R70 each with proceeds going to the International Temples Project for world peace.