Advice from Lama Yeshe
Advice from Lama Yeshe
compiled for the UCWP inaugural conference, October 2005
What is UE/EE?
We need new education for the world. Because all the education is no longer up to date for the present intelligent people. (Jan 1983)
To completely understand one's own psychology, oneself, one's own physics, I call this universal education. (Jan 1983)
Many people in the world do not want to accept spirituality, and when they have accepted spirituality they do not understand scientific reality. These conflicts I can see in the Western world: very common. So I determined there must be a middle way. (1983)
In Buddhism we have an incredible arrangement, universal education from beginning at birth up until death, as an old man. I feel these things could be put into a universal language. Give up religion, give up Buddhism. Go beyond the Buddhism. Essential aspect of the philosophy put into the scientific language. This I feel is my aim. (1983)
UE is from children up to death time, up to death, next life, how to educate. (Jan 1983).
Why is UE/EE universal?
We want to introduce universal wisdom and methods which at a deep level are not in conflict with each other. That is our aim. (Jan 1983)
It is all universal human experience of universal human beings. So you could write universal human experience of desire, of anger. (Jan 1983)
UE should be universal people, without culture games. Every country, culture, religion and philosophy already has wisdom. We should bring that wisdom into UE. (unknown)
UE/EE, Buddhism & other religions
UE is not a religious trip...that we have to make clean clear (Jan 1983)
Give up religion, give up Buddhism. Go beyond the Buddhism. Put the essential aspect of the philosophy into scientific language. This I feel is my aim. (Jan 1983)
In Buddhism we have very deep scientific, psychological and philosophical explanations. I have never doubted that everyone can benefit from these. However unless they are presented in the right language, it doesn't work. Through presenting them in the right way, people can understand the essence of all the ancient religions without belonging to any religion. (June 1983)
Retain basic fundamental Buddhist concepts, but communicate them in a totally scientific based language...Buddhist project, yes, but universal project. Because Buddhist people study, Buddhist people making project for universal education. (Jan 1983)
We can teach the entire Lam Rim and something tantra without using any terminology that is Buddhist...I want you to change the clothes, to cut the Buddhist terminology and use simple scientific language which doesn't have any religious connotation. (Sept 1982)
Buddhism contains true universal education. But when one presents Buddhist universal psychology, one must present it in contemporary and scientific terms, without the projection of narrow Buddhist religious oriental connotation. (Oct 1982)
Subjects: mental factors, prajna paramita subject, abhidharma and madhyamaka, also life, death, bardo, rebirth, entire should be. All Lam Rim, all Buddha's wisdom should be put into children's education. (Oct 1981)
Ask the people to tell you what Buddhism can offer to UE. Same thing you can do with Christian leaders etc. (Oct 1982)
The practical development of UE/EE
First we investigate how to do it, we produce books, tapes, videos etc. From there many people become educated and then are ready for giving education. When we have a clean clear idea, then we start teacher training programmes. (Sept 1982)
When we say ‘new education' that does not mean we abandon the old education completely. We put it into a new shape, and add more flavour, with a deeper understanding of human nature. (Jan 1983)
If you do not have material you are empty-handed. That is a big problem. (Jan 1980)
We have so much material. I cannot think that the problem is material. The problem is how to put it together, that is all. (1980)
UE should present material that is logically understandable. If there is no logical reference, the explanation is incomplete. Behind this logic there must be some psychological explanation and philosophical framework as well. (Oct 1981)
Of prime importance in education is the teacher. Teachers should have universal education in order to educate children to a universal level. (Oct 1982)
You need Dharma people with good understanding to work on the UE project. Definitely you need an incredible sort of skill. (Jan 1983)
We share. We energise each other and we support the growth of education in each different area. Our (FPMT) centres are part of UE resources although they are not yet UE. UE resources come from the centres and when successful, UE will reinforce the centres...I want all our students to support UE and produce UE material. (Jan 1983)
I think this is quite a big, long distance. Many generations before it will be finished, you know. (Jan 1983)