Even if we do the minimum practice of reciting one mala of OM MANI PADME HUM or we do a three-year retreat or study Dharma philosophy for many years, it is all to develop compassion, to gain realisations, especially that of bodhicitta. Therefore, every single thing we do is for us to stop harming others and to benefit them. The main goal of our practice is that. If we don't stop harming others, we can't benefit them.

If you do lots of retreats, lots of sadhanas, recite many mantras, but then in daily life somebody criticises or bothers you in some other way and you immediately retaliate, try to harm them back, it shows that real practice is not happening. There may be lots of recitations, lots of prayers, but when it comes to dealing with other beings, the real practice, the actual practice - whose purpose is the development of patience, tolerance, compassion and loving kindness - is missing. That means you did not fulfil the purpose of all the prayers and sadhanas, or even that one mala of OM MANI PADME HUM, that you did.

The whole, entire purpose of those practices is to help you in your daily life when you are with other sentient beings - to not harm but benefit them. How? By developing your mind in loving kindness, compassion and bodhicitta.

This teaching is given by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Courtesy of Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.
 

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