Training the Mind: Verse 4 When I see beings of unpleasant character Oppressed by strong negativity and suffering, May

I hold them dear-for they are rare to finds if I have discovered a !e"el treasure# This verse refers to the special case of relating to people "ho are socially marginali$ed, perhaps because of their behavior, their appearance, their destitution, or on account of some illness% Whoever practices bodhichitta must ta&e special care of these people, as if on meeting them, you have found a real treasure% Instead of feeling repulsed, a true practitioner of these altruistic principles should engage and ta&e on the challenge of relating% In fact, the "ay "e interact "ith people of this &ind could give a great impetus to our spiritual practice% In this conte't, I "ould li&e to point out the great e'ample set by many (hristian brothers and sisters "ho engage in the humanitarian and caring professions especially directed to marginali$ed members of society% One such e'ample in our times "as the late Mother Teresa, "ho dedicated her life to caring for the destitute% )he e'emplified the ideal that is described in this verse% It is on account of this important point that "hen I meet members of *uddhist centers in various parts of the "orld, I often point out to them that it is not sufficient for a *uddhist center simply to have programs of teaching or meditation% There are, of course, very impressive *uddhist centers, and some retreat centers, "here the Western mon&s have been trained so "ell that they are capable pf playing the clarinet in the traditional Tibetan "ay# *ut I also emphasi$e to them the need to bring the social and caring dimension into their program of activities, so that the principles presented in the *uddhist teachings can ma&e a contribution to society% I am glad to say that I+ve heard that some *uddhist centers are beginning to apply *uddhist principles socially% ,or e'ample, I believe that in ustralia

there are *uddhist centers "hich are establishing hospices and helping dying people, and caring for patients "ith ids% I have also heard of *uddhist centers involved in some form of spiritual education in prisons, "here they give tal&s and offer counselling% I thin& these are great e'amples% It is of course deeply unfortunate "hen such people, particularly prisoners, feel re!ected by society% -ot only is it deeply painful for them, but also from a broader point of vie", it is a loss for society% We are not providing the opportunity for these people to ma&e a constructive social contribution "hen they actually have the potential to do so% I therefore thin& it is important for society as a "hole not to re!ect such individuals, but to embrace them and ac&no"ledge the potential contribution they can ma&e% In this "ay they "ill feel they have a place in society, and "ill begin to thin& that they might perhaps have something to offer%