Tolerance doesn't involve smoothing over all the differences, it means seeing the differences, and allowing them to be there without making any damming judgements. Tolerance actually means having real confidence.
Divergence of view is possible without there having to be hostility. If you have confidence in your own path, you don't have to denigrate other paths. You don't have to shore yourself up by dismissing other systems – that is simply not necessary.
So let us by all means disagree with certain views. But let that not make us angry or violent! Let us also have the good grace to acknowledge the benefit there may be in systems that employ different concepts. We could in fact approach this thing with great gentleness and humour!
p24-25, Wearing the Body of Visions, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books, 1995, ISBN 1-898185-03-4
There's only a problem, in the contradictory nature of different paths, if you fail to realise that their differences lie in the difference between their bases (where you begin). Their bases are different because the relative capacities of individuals are different. This means that what is a useful method for one person, could merely be an obstacle for another. Once you have a fundamental understanding of this, it becomes very simple. Then, not only will there be no conflict between different vehicles of Buddhism as to how and when they are presented but; you'll also come to understand the methods of any religion.
This is the true basis of tolerance.
p23, Wearing the Body of Visions, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books, 1995, ISBN 1-898185-03-4
We're all equal in the sense that we are all enlightened. Then, we're all unequal in our experience of clarity or confusion. In the ultimate sphere of existence there is no difference between people. But in the relative sphere of existence there are relative differences between people and that can function usefully in terms of active compassion.
Say that a child acts in a spiteful way towards you. You recognise that he or she has limited capacity to understand the outcome of their acts and how they're understood in the adult world. It means you can make a lot of allowances for them. It means that you can be kind. You can be tolerant. You can be forgiving.
It's all based on understanding; understanding that someone has less capacity; less intelligence; less insight; more pain; more confusion – whatever is the condition of the person. If you know that someone is in more pain than you are, you can let go of any animosity that might arise in relation to what they do.
p19-21, Wearing the Body of Visions, Ngakpa Chögyam, Aro Books, 1995, ISBN 1-898185-03-4
