Mindfulness and Compassion with Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche and Matthieu Ricard | BIF 2024

Bhutan’s culture is grounded in Vajrayana Himalayan Buddhism, which holds wisdom and compassion as its deepest goals. To achieve these requires attention to one’s own mind, to the conditions of the humans and all sentient beings one is in relationship to, and to larger environment one is in. This quality of attention is called mindfulness. A mindful society stives to eliminate the suffering of all sentient beings and create wellbeing and happiness. Mindfulness is integral to Bhutan’s national identity and development philosophy. It supports the goals of Gross National Happiness, enhances mental health and well-being, and promotes environmental conservation and social harmony. Mindfulness practices are woven into civil responsibility, leadership, governance, and educational systems in Bhutan, demonstrating their crucial role in the daily functioning of the Bhutanese people. This session is led be two extraordinary teachers of Himalayan Buddhism, Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche and Mathieu Ricard who talk about Buddhism and a mindful society in the contemporary world. Recent studies involving thousands of people over fifty years of their lives, reveal that the key to genuine happiness lies in the quality of human relationships. And good relationships are built on altruism and compassion. Mindfulness is essential for achieving any goal, but like any tool, it can be used for good or harm. If we had greater regard for the well-being of others, we would opt for an economy that is at the service of people and not people at the service of the economy. We would act more decisively to address income and wealth inequalities, discrimination, environmental degradation and poverty. --------------------------- Speakers: Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche | Buddhist Scholar, Author, Filmmaker Matthieu Ricard | Philosopher & Buddhist Monk Moderator Samantha Simmonds, BBC News Presenter