Friendship

Friendship

We have genuine friendship
when it is based on true human feeling,
a feeling of closeness in which there is
a sense of sharing and connectedness.
I would call this type of friendship genuine,
because it is not affected by the increase
or decrease of the individual's
wealth, status, or power.
The factor that sustains the friendship is
whether or not the two people will have
mutual feelings of love and affection.
Genuine human friendship is
on the basis of human affection,
irrespective of your position.
Therefore, the more you show concern
about the welfare and right of others,
the more you are a genuine friend.
The more you remain open and sincere,
then ultimately the benefits will come to you.
If you forget or do not bother about others,
then eventually you will loose your benefit.

(By His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama)