Based on the compassionate wish to see all beings escape suffering and its causes, my current observation sees the general state of depression touching the younger generations as a direct result of not having been taught the benefits of discipline.

Ceasing suffering must be done by addressing its causes: in this case, bring the topic in the light of the victims but in sight of the current educators as well.

This can be done most simply by reminding us of some good advices given by Nagarjuna in 

His “Letter to a Friend”.

1. Looking at the precepts (kept during NyungNay) and train in them occasionally

Abstaining for twenty-four hours from the following various acts: 

1. Killing, or here, harming, other living beings; 
2. Theft -that is, taking what is not given-; 
3. Sexual intercourse (“impure conduct”);
4. Telling lies (in particular, claiming to have sublime qualities one does not have);
5. Drinking alcohol, which produces a careless state of intoxication; 
6. Greedily eating at inappropriate times;
7. Indulging in a bed higher than eighteen inches; 
8. The three activities of singing, dancing along with dressing up, and playing music; and these three: wearing necklaces of jewels and other ornaments that are a source of vanity, wearing multicoloured ornaments, and using sweet smelling perfumes and so forth.

As a result of their desire to nurture the seed of positive actions and purify negative actions, men and women—that is, those on the three continents where they can observe such discipline -who keep these eight branches with renewal and confession, following the example of the discipline of Arhats in the past, are granted and obtain a pleasing body in the six realms of the gods of enjoyment.

2. Getting rid of incompatible traits

Consider the following traits as enemies, since they destroy positive actions: 

• Niggardliness: stinginess regarding one’s own possessions; 
• Craftiness: skilfully playing down one’s own defects, and deceitfulness in pretending to possess certain qualities, to easily beguile others; 
• Attachment: to body and wealth;
• Laziness: not delighting in virtue; 
• Arrogance: thinking one has qualities that one does not have;
• Desire: craving for existence; 
• Hatred: the hatred of the inhabitants of the Hell of Torment Unsurpassed; and, 
• Pride: being proud of one’s breeding (“I am superior,” one thinks), proud of one’s physique, proud of one’s learning, proud of one’s youthful- ness (“I’ve lost none of my youthfulness, I’m still in top form.”), and proud of one’s power (“How immensely powerful I am!”).

3. Exercising carefulness regarding what is compatible with discipline

Carefulness is the way to deathlessness; while carelessness is death, the Buddha taught, therefore, so that your virtuous deeds may grow, be careful, constantly and with respect.

Carefulness is characterised by practicing virtuous activities and guarding the mind from tainted activities.

"Carefulness is the way of immortality; Carelessness is the way of death. With carefulness one will not perish; With carelessness one always does.”

By Venerable Lama Sangyay Tendzin