Is it possible, even when one has been born in the West, and if one has been educated as a Roman Catholic, to understand and feel the essence of Buddhism ? And I should have started with this question : what is the essence of Buddhism ? Thank you, Lama, if you would be so kind to answer these questions and also, if you do not select them.

Response from Tulku Lobsang:

The essence of Buddhism is three things: discipline, mindfulness, and the alert mind. So, really, the essence of Buddhism is love. Because when you have love, you don't need discipline, you automatically have it. When you have love, you don't need to practice mindfulness, because you automatically have it. When you have love, you don't need to practice having an alert mind, your mind is automatically alert.

Love is the essence of Buddhist teachings. If you know what love is, then you know the essence of Buddhism. The essence of Buddhism is YOU. If you understand your own essence, you understand the essence of Buddhism.

~Tulku Lobsang

Answered on June 8th, 2011
Florianopolis, Brazil