My dear friends,
The penultimate precept of Atisha’s “The Best” is:
The best beneficial deed, according to Atisha, is to help someone enter the Dharma because it offers them a path to ultimate liberation from suffering. To bring someone to the Dharma is to introduce them to a way of life and understanding that leads to the development of wisdom, compassion, and true freedom. This is not just a temporary alleviation of pain or difficulty, but a gift that can transform their entire being and guide them towards enlightenment, where they realize the nature of reality, free from delusion and the suffering it creates.
In helping someone enter the Dharma, we are essentially guiding them to the source of all beneficial qualities: the cultivation of ethical discipline, meditative concentration, and wisdom. We are leading them to a state of mind that can generate boundless compassion and understanding, enabling them to not only free themselves but also to become a source of refuge and support for others. This is why it is regarded as the most profound and beneficial deed—it plants the seed of awakening within another’s heart, a seed that can blossom into the Bodhisattva’s way of life, bringing benefit to countless beings.
How to Accomplish This Beneficial Deed
- Live the Dharma Yourself:
The first step in helping someone enter the Dharma is to embody the teachings yourself. When others see the peace, kindness, and wisdom in your actions and demeanor, they become naturally curious about the source of your calm and compassionate way of being. Your life becomes a silent but powerful teaching, demonstrating the fruits of practice. This is what we see in the lives of great teachers, such as the Buddha and Christ, whose presence alone was a beacon that drew people to seek the truth.
- Share the Teachings with Skill and Compassion:
Sharing the Dharma requires a deep sensitivity to where a person is on their path. Each person has different needs, interests, and capacities, so it is important to approach with humility, patience, and a listening heart. Sometimes, this may involve answering questions, offering a book, or introducing them to a meditation practice. Other times, it may be through offering support and love, showing the principles of Dharma in action rather than in words. The key is not to force or proselytize, but to invite and encourage, in a way that respects their autonomy and dignity.
- Use Skillful Means (Upaya):
The Bodhisattva path teaches the use of skillful means, or upaya, which is the ability to tailor the teachings to suit the situation and the person. For example, when Jesus spoke to fishermen, He used metaphors of fish and nets; when He spoke to farmers, He spoke of seeds and soil. In the same way, we can draw on what resonates with the person we are trying to help. If someone is deeply struggling with anxiety, we might introduce them to mindfulness as a way of calming the mind. If someone is seeking meaning, we might share the teachings on compassion and the interconnectedness of all beings.
- Provide a Supportive Environment:
Just as a seed needs fertile soil to grow, a new practitioner of the Dharma needs a supportive environment. This could mean introducing them to a spiritual community, or simply being there to encourage and answer questions. Communities and friendships built on the values of love, compassion, and wisdom provide a nourishing space where the teachings can take root and flourish. Your presence, encouragement, and patience become like the gentle rain and sunlight that helps the seed of Dharma grow within their heart.
- Pray for Their Well-Being and Awakening:
Another way to support someone’s entry into the Dharma is through prayer or meditation. Whether you call it prayer to the Holy Spirit or dedicating merit to all sentient beings, this practice helps to clear obstacles and create favorable conditions for others to find their path. When we sincerely hold someone’s well-being in our hearts, we generate powerful positive energy that can influence their journey, even in ways we might not immediately see.
In all these ways, helping someone enter the Dharma is the best beneficial deed because it opens a door to boundless possibilities. It is not just an act of kindness for this life, but a gift that continues to bear fruit, guiding them through this life and beyond. Helping someone find the Dharma is like guiding them to a path that leads to the essence of truth and freedom. It is the highest form of love.