The Dalai Lama describes the 2nd verse of training the mind as:
www.dalailama.com/teachings/training-the... 

Can somebody please explain to me how lowliness works in Buddhism?  How do you have lowliness and still value yourself enough to have great value which Budhissm realizes?  How do you have high self esteem while a lowly attitude?  The Dalai Lama describes lowliness as not lowering self esteem?  How is this possible to view yourself as smaller and more inferior than others and not feel bad about yourself? Any Buddhist know any more than me about this verse?

Dalai Lama's description of lowliness:
"Moving on to another line of the verse, I think it is important to understand the expression "May I see myself lower than all others" in the right context. Certainly it is not saying that you should engage in thoughts that would lead to lower self-esteem, or that you should lose all sense of hope and feel dejected, thinking, "I'm the lowest of all. I have no capacity, I cannot do anything and have no power." This is not the kind of consideration of lowness that is being referred to here. The regarding of oneself as lower than others really has to be understood in relative terms. Generally speaking, human beings are superior to animals. We are equipped with the ability to judge between right and wrong and to think in terms of the future and so on. However, one could also argue that in other respects human beings are inferior to animals. For example, animals may not have the ability to judge between right and wrong in a moral sense, and they might not have the ability to see the long-term consequences of their actions, but within the animal realm there is at least a certain sense of order. If you look at the African savannah, for example, predators prey on other animals only out of necessity when they are hungry. When they are not hungry, you can see them coexisting quite peacefully. But we human beings, despite our ability to judge between right and wrong, sometimes act out of pure greed. Sometimes we engage in actions purely out of indulgence--we kill out of a sense of "sport," say, when we go hunting or fishing. So, in a sense, one could argue that human beings have proven to be inferior to animals. It is in such relativistic terms that we can regard ourselves as lower than others. One of the reasons for using the word "lower" is to emphasize that normally when we give in to ordinary emotions of anger, hatred, strong attachment, and greed, we do so without any sense of restraint. Often we are totally oblivious to the impact our behavior has on other sentient beings. But by deliberately cultivating the thought of regarding others as superior and worthy of your reverence, you provide yourself with a restraining factor. Then, when emotions arise, they will not be so powerful as to cause you to disregard the impact of your actions upon other sentient beings. It is on these grounds that recognition of others as superior to yourself is suggested.

May 12, 2011 -- 6:58PM, amendelo wrote:

The Dalai Lama describes the 2nd verse of training the mind as:
www.dalailama.com/teachings/training-the... 

"Whenever I interact with someone,
May I view myself as the lowest amongst all,
And, from the very depths of my heart,
Respectfully hold others as superior."

This verse is a Training Rule for the Development of Compassion. If the Dala Lama holds on to the Notion that he is the Spiritual Leader and the Political Leader of Tibet, then his compassion is tainted with 'Selfish Conceit'.

Conciet is a Fetter which binds one to the Wheel of Eternal Rebirth in Samsara.

Viewing others as superior is an act of 'Self-Abnegation'.

When the Self is Negated, Selfless Compassion is realised.

Compassion is 'Developed' by the removal of Hindrances and Fetters which blind our mental vision.

It's a good question, Amendelo. Honestly, I'm not sure what the DL is trying to say in your quote. In his comparison of animals and humans, he seems to be saying that while humans have greater capability, animals act with better motives. By saying that, he isn't devaluing human capability.

I hope that helps a little bit. :-)

amendelo:

You seem interested in self esteem. That is best discussed in the Spirituality & Mental Health forum.

The Dhammapada (the words of the Buddha) has lengthy discussion about morality and spiritual behavior.  These are core beliefs that pervade all Buddhist paths.

Here is one link to the text of the Dhammapada online:

www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/dhp/...

 

If you Google, "Dhammapada + humility" - you will probably find a link that lists passages within the Dhammapada about humility.

You could do the same with all spiritual virtues... - peace, patience, kindness, morality, compassion, goodness, etc. etc. etc. ---- and passages from the Dhamapada will come up with the Buddha's words about the various spiritual virtues.