[art_fan_12]

I sometimes like to joke that "no Buddhist monk ever came knocking at my door!"

Having said that, I think there is a bit of a difference between the approach taken by those of other major religions who often wish to convert us all or so it seems. They mean well usually, but it is just not very well received.

But on the other hand, I think that the word "Dharma" not only represents the teachings of the Buddha, but in another sense and meaning it is simply the truth of the way things are. Having said that, I think it is possible to help others along teaching dharma in a skillful manner, even to those who are not Buddhists. This can be done from the perspective of simple things, like helping them reduce their anger, or trying to get them to think a little more positively for example.

Especially for Mahayana practitioners, we are trying to not only reduce our own suffering, but the suffering of others too. One of the best ways to do this is to teach dharma to others, but it doesn't have to be in a dogmatic way. It can be done in a way that has an actually has an effect on their day to day experience.

Terma