D. Encouragement to Develop A Virtuous Personality 1. Reasons for Developing A Virtuous Personality Always comply with your friends in word and deed Be a person of integrity filled with kindheartedness. In order to benefit yourselves in the long term, The pith instruction is to benefit others at the present moment. a. The Importance of Virtuous Personalities What a virtuous personality entails is that we must always be respectful with our family members and friends in what we say and do; to be kind and act with integrity; and that if we wish to benefit ourselves in the long run, the key is to benefit others in the present moment. Dharma practice requires a virtuous personality. This is the essential teaching summarized by His Holiness through many years of his teaching. His Holiness required that anyone who studies at Larung Gar must follow three rules, which are (i) to cultivate a virtuous personality; (ii) to uphold the pure precepts; (iii) to listen, reflect, and meditate on the Dharma teachings. Regardless of whether one studies the Mahāyāna or Vajrayāna teachings, it is imperative that one has a virtuous personality; otherwise, making any progress in one’s Dharma practice becomes impossible. Jamgön Mipham says in The Words on the Mundane and Transmundane Codes, Worldly rules are the foundation of Buddhadharma, If one does not act nobly in the world, One will never grasp the supreme principle of Buddhadharma, Not to mention to achieve enlightenment.
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