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Toward a True Kinship of Faiths: How the World's Religions Can Come Together
No country, no culture, no person today is untouched by what happens in the rest of the world. Technological innovation, environmental degradation, economic gain & loss, nuclear weapons, instant communication have all created unprecedented familiarity among the world’s many cultures. With this historic development, the Dalai Lama understands that the essential task of humanity in the 21st Century is to cultivate peaceful coexistence.
Many believe in the inevitability of an escalating “clash of civilizations�. Peaceful coexistence has long been problematic with religion, and while previous conflicts over religious differences may have been significant and regrettable, they did not threaten the very survival of humanity. Now, when extremists can persuade followers with the immense emotional power of faith and have access to powerful technological resources, a single spark could ignite a powder keg of frightening proportions.
Yet the Dalai Lama shows how the challenges of globalization can also move us in another direction, to a deeper plane where nations, cultures, and individuals connect through their shared human nature. All major religions confront the same perennial questions; each have distinct forms of expression. But this marvelous diversity of insight has the potential for inspiring dialogue which can enrich everyone’s pursuit of wisdom. All faith traditions turn to compassion as a guiding principle for living a good life. It is the task of all people with an aspiration to spiritual perfection to affirm the fundamental value of the compassion. In this way we can truly develop a deep recognition of the value of other faiths, and on that basis, we can cultivate genuine respect.
In Toward a True Kinship of Faiths , the Dalai Lama also explores where differences between religions can be genuinely appreciated without serving as a source of conflict. The establishment of genuine harmony is not dependent upon accepting that all religions are fundamentally the same or that they lead to the same place. Many fear that recognizing the value of another faith is incompatible with having devotion to the truth of one’s own. Nevertheless, the Dalai Lama profoundly shows how a sincere believer can, with integrity, be a pluralist in relation to other religions without compromising commitment to the essence of the doctrinal teachings of their own faith.
An issue of central importance for the Dalai Lama personally and for the entire world in general, Toward a True Kinship of Faiths offers a hopeful yet realistic look at how humanity must step into the future.
Many believe in the inevitability of an escalating “clash of civilizations�. Peaceful coexistence has long been problematic with religion, and while previous conflicts over religious differences may have been significant and regrettable, they did not threaten the very survival of humanity. Now, when extremists can persuade followers with the immense emotional power of faith and have access to powerful technological resources, a single spark could ignite a powder keg of frightening proportions.
Yet the Dalai Lama shows how the challenges of globalization can also move us in another direction, to a deeper plane where nations, cultures, and individuals connect through their shared human nature. All major religions confront the same perennial questions; each have distinct forms of expression. But this marvelous diversity of insight has the potential for inspiring dialogue which can enrich everyone’s pursuit of wisdom. All faith traditions turn to compassion as a guiding principle for living a good life. It is the task of all people with an aspiration to spiritual perfection to affirm the fundamental value of the compassion. In this way we can truly develop a deep recognition of the value of other faiths, and on that basis, we can cultivate genuine respect.
In Toward a True Kinship of Faiths , the Dalai Lama also explores where differences between religions can be genuinely appreciated without serving as a source of conflict. The establishment of genuine harmony is not dependent upon accepting that all religions are fundamentally the same or that they lead to the same place. Many fear that recognizing the value of another faith is incompatible with having devotion to the truth of one’s own. Nevertheless, the Dalai Lama profoundly shows how a sincere believer can, with integrity, be a pluralist in relation to other religions without compromising commitment to the essence of the doctrinal teachings of their own faith.
An issue of central importance for the Dalai Lama personally and for the entire world in general, Toward a True Kinship of Faiths offers a hopeful yet realistic look at how humanity must step into the future.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
61 people are currently reading
553 people want to read
About the author
Dalai Lama XIV
1,529books6,023followersJetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso (born Lhamo Döndrub), the 14th Dalai Lama, is a practicing member of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism and is influential as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the world's most famous Buddhist monk, and the leader of the exiled Tibetan government in India.
Tenzin Gyatso was the fifth of sixteen children born to a farming family. He was proclaimed the tulku (an Enlightened lama who has consciously decided to take rebirth) of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two.
On 17 November 1950, at the age of 15, he was enthroned as Tibet's ruler. Thus he became Tibet's most important political ruler just one month after the People's Republic of China's invasion of Tibet on 7 October 1950. In 1954, he went to Beijing to attempt peace talks with Mao Zedong and other leaders of the PRC. These talks ultimately failed.
After a failed uprising and the collapse of the Tibetan resistance movement in 1959, the Dalai Lama left for India, where he was active in establishing the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan Government in Exile) and in seeking to preserve Tibetan culture and education among the thousands of refugees who accompanied him.
Tenzin Gyatso is a charismatic figure and noted public speaker. This Dalai Lama is the first to travel to the West. There, he has helped to spread Buddhism and to promote the concepts of universal responsibility, secular ethics, and religious harmony.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, honorary Canadian citizenship in 2006, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal on 17 October 2007.
Tenzin Gyatso was the fifth of sixteen children born to a farming family. He was proclaimed the tulku (an Enlightened lama who has consciously decided to take rebirth) of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two.
On 17 November 1950, at the age of 15, he was enthroned as Tibet's ruler. Thus he became Tibet's most important political ruler just one month after the People's Republic of China's invasion of Tibet on 7 October 1950. In 1954, he went to Beijing to attempt peace talks with Mao Zedong and other leaders of the PRC. These talks ultimately failed.
After a failed uprising and the collapse of the Tibetan resistance movement in 1959, the Dalai Lama left for India, where he was active in establishing the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan Government in Exile) and in seeking to preserve Tibetan culture and education among the thousands of refugees who accompanied him.
Tenzin Gyatso is a charismatic figure and noted public speaker. This Dalai Lama is the first to travel to the West. There, he has helped to spread Buddhism and to promote the concepts of universal responsibility, secular ethics, and religious harmony.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, honorary Canadian citizenship in 2006, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal on 17 October 2007.
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October 28, 2023
A Plea For Peaceful Coexistence
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has become a widely respected and revered figure by many people who do not practice Tibetan Buddhism. The many writings under his name explore a variety of topics from Buddhist belief and practice to secular ethics, and to the relationship between science and religion. In his new book, "Toward a True Kinship of Faiths" (2010), the Dalai Lama expands upon ideas in many of his earlier writings to discuss the nature of religious pluralism. The book moves both on a personal and on a community, world-wide level. The issue the book addresses is how individuals and religions may be committed to their own individual faith traditions, or their secularism, while respecting the faith traditions or the secularism of other people or religions. Of course, this is a difficult, multi-leveled inquiry that has been asked and explored many times. The question is important because all too often religion becomes a means of divisiveness and anger among individuals and groups rather than a source of shared humanity.
The book begins on a more personal level than usual with a work of the Dalai Lama and proceeds towards the more abstract. Thus, in 1959, when as a young man of 24 the Dalai Lama fled Tibet for India, he had experience little of religious life beyond his own Buddhism. Over the years as he learned and gradually became an international figure, the Dalai Lama's horizons broadened. Early on, beginning in 1956 with a trip to India, he came into closer contact with other Asian religions such as Hinduism and Jainism and learned to appreciate them more than he had been able to do earlier with his strictly Buddhist education. Then, in the late 1960s, the Dalai Lama met and befriended Thomas Merton, the famous Trappist monk who had himself shown an interest in Eastern contemplation. The friendship with Merton was the beginning of the Dalai Lama's attempt to understand and appreciate Christianity. While living in India, the Dalai Lama also had the opportunity to get to know Muslim leaders and to gain respect for the peaceful, compassionate aspects of Muslim teachings. And the Dalai Lama saw the Jewish experience, with its long exile from the Holy Land as a model for the exile of his own Tibetan community. From various Jewish leaders, he learned as well about methods of Scriptural interpretation that paralleled his own experience and about Kabbalah -- the expression of Jewish mysticism.
In the first half of this book, the Dalai Lama expands upon his experiences with different religions and how these experiences taught him. He then moves to more difficult and broader inquiries. Many people see what they regard as the only apparent diversity in religious beliefs and argue that all religions are fundamentally the same under the variety. The Dalai Lama respects but rejects this view because it is difficult to say in what sense theistic religions, such as Judaism or Christianity, are "the same" as nontheistic religions such as Buddhism or Jainism. For the Dalai Lama, then, the metaphysics of religion are irreducibly plural. But the religions share, he claims, a common ethics based upon shared humanity, and a practice of compassion and the development of selflessness.
From trying to show how religions share a similar ethics of compassion, the Dalai Lama moves to a discussion of the importance of religions living in peaceful coexistence with one another, and he offers a rather vague programme of inter-religious learning and cooperation. The heart of the book comes in a chapter titled "The Problem of Exclusivism" in which the Dalai Lama struggles with the question suggested in the first paragraph of this review: how it is possible for a person to be committed to his or her own religious tradition while respecting and being open to the traditions of other people. This is a difficult question. Basically the Dalai Lama's answer turns upon a recognition by each person of the value of his own religion to him, and an appreciation that other people find similar values of compassion and love in the metaphysics and religion which they practice. There can be personal commitment without exclusivism. A person can follow the spiritual path he chooses based upon his background and experiences and culture and be committed to it while respecting and understanding that other people from different backgrounds and underlying predelicitions will make different choices. The different choices are metaphysical -- faith based -- but they each work their way to a basically shared human ethics of compassion. The Dalai Lama thus claims that faith based belief in a religion is fully compatible with respect for and an ability to learn from the faith traditions of others. The Dalai Lama expands the point in comparing faith based traditions to secularists who profess no faith. Secular metaphysics too works to teachings of compassion and respect. Hence, secular people and religious people can peacefully coexist with and learn from each other in common humanity.
The issues that this book raises are complex, especially in considering how religions can be pluralistic metaphysically and yet result in essentially parallel ethical teachings. While not minimizing the difficulties, the Dalai Lama writes in a down to earth, simple style. He explains the issues, in itself not an easy task, and writes eloquently towards a resolution. I don't know how this book was written, but an aura of sincerity shines through as the Dalai Lama speaks about himself and his own spiritual path and then generalizes his experiences so that others may share and understand. The book displays a since of urgency and importance in its message. The Dalai Lama concludes his book with a sustained appeal to believers and unbelievers alike. Here is a portion of it:
"Of my fellow religious believers, I ask this. Obey the injunctions of your own faith: travel to the essence of your religious teaching, the fundamental goodness of the human heart. Here is the space where, despite doctrinal differences, we are all simply human..... To all people, religious and nonbelieving, I make this appeal. Always embrace the common humanity that lies at the heart of us all. Always affirm the oneness of our human family.... Let not your differences from the views of others come in the way of the wish for their peace, happiness, and well-being." (pp.181-182)
This is a wise, deceptively simple book that will appeal to readers who have struggled with questions of religious belief and religious pluralism.
Robin Friedman
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has become a widely respected and revered figure by many people who do not practice Tibetan Buddhism. The many writings under his name explore a variety of topics from Buddhist belief and practice to secular ethics, and to the relationship between science and religion. In his new book, "Toward a True Kinship of Faiths" (2010), the Dalai Lama expands upon ideas in many of his earlier writings to discuss the nature of religious pluralism. The book moves both on a personal and on a community, world-wide level. The issue the book addresses is how individuals and religions may be committed to their own individual faith traditions, or their secularism, while respecting the faith traditions or the secularism of other people or religions. Of course, this is a difficult, multi-leveled inquiry that has been asked and explored many times. The question is important because all too often religion becomes a means of divisiveness and anger among individuals and groups rather than a source of shared humanity.
The book begins on a more personal level than usual with a work of the Dalai Lama and proceeds towards the more abstract. Thus, in 1959, when as a young man of 24 the Dalai Lama fled Tibet for India, he had experience little of religious life beyond his own Buddhism. Over the years as he learned and gradually became an international figure, the Dalai Lama's horizons broadened. Early on, beginning in 1956 with a trip to India, he came into closer contact with other Asian religions such as Hinduism and Jainism and learned to appreciate them more than he had been able to do earlier with his strictly Buddhist education. Then, in the late 1960s, the Dalai Lama met and befriended Thomas Merton, the famous Trappist monk who had himself shown an interest in Eastern contemplation. The friendship with Merton was the beginning of the Dalai Lama's attempt to understand and appreciate Christianity. While living in India, the Dalai Lama also had the opportunity to get to know Muslim leaders and to gain respect for the peaceful, compassionate aspects of Muslim teachings. And the Dalai Lama saw the Jewish experience, with its long exile from the Holy Land as a model for the exile of his own Tibetan community. From various Jewish leaders, he learned as well about methods of Scriptural interpretation that paralleled his own experience and about Kabbalah -- the expression of Jewish mysticism.
In the first half of this book, the Dalai Lama expands upon his experiences with different religions and how these experiences taught him. He then moves to more difficult and broader inquiries. Many people see what they regard as the only apparent diversity in religious beliefs and argue that all religions are fundamentally the same under the variety. The Dalai Lama respects but rejects this view because it is difficult to say in what sense theistic religions, such as Judaism or Christianity, are "the same" as nontheistic religions such as Buddhism or Jainism. For the Dalai Lama, then, the metaphysics of religion are irreducibly plural. But the religions share, he claims, a common ethics based upon shared humanity, and a practice of compassion and the development of selflessness.
From trying to show how religions share a similar ethics of compassion, the Dalai Lama moves to a discussion of the importance of religions living in peaceful coexistence with one another, and he offers a rather vague programme of inter-religious learning and cooperation. The heart of the book comes in a chapter titled "The Problem of Exclusivism" in which the Dalai Lama struggles with the question suggested in the first paragraph of this review: how it is possible for a person to be committed to his or her own religious tradition while respecting and being open to the traditions of other people. This is a difficult question. Basically the Dalai Lama's answer turns upon a recognition by each person of the value of his own religion to him, and an appreciation that other people find similar values of compassion and love in the metaphysics and religion which they practice. There can be personal commitment without exclusivism. A person can follow the spiritual path he chooses based upon his background and experiences and culture and be committed to it while respecting and understanding that other people from different backgrounds and underlying predelicitions will make different choices. The different choices are metaphysical -- faith based -- but they each work their way to a basically shared human ethics of compassion. The Dalai Lama thus claims that faith based belief in a religion is fully compatible with respect for and an ability to learn from the faith traditions of others. The Dalai Lama expands the point in comparing faith based traditions to secularists who profess no faith. Secular metaphysics too works to teachings of compassion and respect. Hence, secular people and religious people can peacefully coexist with and learn from each other in common humanity.
The issues that this book raises are complex, especially in considering how religions can be pluralistic metaphysically and yet result in essentially parallel ethical teachings. While not minimizing the difficulties, the Dalai Lama writes in a down to earth, simple style. He explains the issues, in itself not an easy task, and writes eloquently towards a resolution. I don't know how this book was written, but an aura of sincerity shines through as the Dalai Lama speaks about himself and his own spiritual path and then generalizes his experiences so that others may share and understand. The book displays a since of urgency and importance in its message. The Dalai Lama concludes his book with a sustained appeal to believers and unbelievers alike. Here is a portion of it:
"Of my fellow religious believers, I ask this. Obey the injunctions of your own faith: travel to the essence of your religious teaching, the fundamental goodness of the human heart. Here is the space where, despite doctrinal differences, we are all simply human..... To all people, religious and nonbelieving, I make this appeal. Always embrace the common humanity that lies at the heart of us all. Always affirm the oneness of our human family.... Let not your differences from the views of others come in the way of the wish for their peace, happiness, and well-being." (pp.181-182)
This is a wise, deceptively simple book that will appeal to readers who have struggled with questions of religious belief and religious pluralism.
Robin Friedman
April 24, 2016
History has its weight:those accumulated facts,packed as proof of man's actions; great and infamous facts...all crammed together in History books.
As I approached this book I felt I got into the center of this accumulation of facts: man's religions...and how they've been so divisive, throughout History.It weighted heavily on my memory. Still, the purpose of his Eminence the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is exactly to counteract division; he calls it "peaceful coexistence" of different world faiths. Daring,indeed.
The Dalai Lama acknowledges this is a "problematic area"; he refers the risk of the "extremists" and the misuse of the emotional power of religion.
To my surprise, he calls "the clash of civilizations" a "disturbing approach". He prefers: a deeper-level interaction; another way: the "unity of the human family", since now problems are of a global nature; so, the responsibility is common. Therefore, the challenge for each and every believer is to accept the spirit of religious pluralism.
"Compassion: the link that unites all religions of the world".
But, first the weight of History.
1-The Crusades:"11th, 12th and 13th century religious military campaigns;primarily against Muslims in the Levant, occurred between 1095 and 1291".
Torquato Tasso
(1544-1595)
V
For if the Christian Princes ever strive
To win fair Greece out of the tyrants' hands,
And those usurping Ismaelites deprive
Of woful Thrace, which now captived stands
You must from realms and seas the Turks forth drive,
As Godfrey chased them from Juda's lands,
And in this legend, all that glorious deed,
Read, whilst you arm you; arm you, whilst you read.
VIII
All things he viewed, at last in Syria stayed
Upon the Christian Lords his gracious eye,
That wondrous look wherewith he oft surveyed
Men's secret thoughts that most concealed lie
He cast on puissant Godfrey, that assayed
To drive the Turks from Sion's bulwarks high
...
in "Jerusalem Delivered".
2-Jews expelled from Iberia.They "were forced to convert to Catholicism, be expelled or be killed when Spain became united under the Catholic Monarchs King Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492".
(original Edict of expulsion signed by Ferdinand and Isabella)
3-Christians in America;"...y las destrucciones y matanzas que los Cristianos en los otros reynos hacian...*"Brevísima relación de la destrucción de las Indias"(published in 1552) By Bartolomeo de las Casas.
4-St. Bartholomew's Day massacre,in 1572."...France in order to "protect him from the Huguenots� wrath." The guard was instructed to kill every group of Protestants that they found. The Catholic masses found the Protestants efficient scapegoats for the rising prices for food, ...".
5-The Shimabara (Japan) rebellion and massacre,1637�1638;when "Buddhist statues of Jizō, the bosatsu of mercy,were beheaded by rebelling Christians;...the shogunate forces beheaded an estimated 37,000 rebels and sympathizers"
6-Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam Calls For The Murder Of Salman Rushdie - "He must be killed. The Qur'an makes it clear - if someone defames the prophet, then he must die."February 21, 1989.
7-India, Christians get out: "I am a Pakistani muslim,but I fully support those Hindus who are demanding that foreign Christian missionaires [evangelism] be expelled from India" U.Atasi,Lahore in Pakistan;a letter in Newsweek, April 5,1999.
8-THAILAND:"Muslims in the South are slaughtering Buddhists in order to ethnically cleanse the area"; 13 Feb 2012.
9-Jews versus muslims;...see Palestine!
Pakistani religious leader, Pirzada Muhammad Raza Saqib Mustafai, said: "When the Jews are wiped out ... the sun of peace [will] begin to rise on the entire world." Aug 13,2012.
10-Afghan Christian Abdul Rahman Convert to Christianity & face Death; March 27,2006.
11-"Promoting the “Muslim threat� in Myanmar"
in:
(...)
----
In 2006, The Economist published an interesting article about the exiled Tibetan community in Dharmasala, India. The article was titled: "The wrong side of the mountains". A great piece quoting the 14th Dalai Lama words:"we are facing our own extinction". It was an extensive analysis of the Tibetan culture at odds with the Chinese repression; and the problem of succession.
"China knows that the deaths of Dalai Lamas and the discovery of the next incarnation, have often involved intrigue,turmoil and division". To this the 14th Dalai Lama responded: he would only reincarnate only "if Tibetans still needed the institution".
The article ended this way: "China's continued vilification of the Dalai Lama personally,however gives little hint of a readiness to treat with him. Rather it speaks of an aggressive rising power determined the Dalai Lama will die on the wrong side of the mountains, and the wrong side of History."**
Toward a true kinship of Faiths is a book of 2010. It's a remarkable source of hope for many, despite the weight of History. It teaches you that otherness (religious) can be better understood when it is studied. That's what the written word of his Eminence transmits: a profound understanding of his own Buddhism and the other major world religions precepts. I'll take a little sample of them, next.
(1) Islam; the Dalai Lama praises the uniqueness of the text;to him it's the less known religion.
(2) Christianity; maybe the most important aspect is compassion; he refers powerful images as examples:mother holding the Christ-child and Christ on the cross.
(3) Judaism: most striking:the memory aspect;the Torah commandments are double the Buddhist ones.
(4) Hinduism is not a religion of the book; several different types of Yoga are approached.
For each of these religions Tenzin Gyatso met someone during his existence: a Pope, an Iman, a Rabbi, a Swami�. and befriended someone too; many, in fact. This is the virtuosity/beauty of Buddhism.To my knowledge,no religious leader has ever matched this pluralism of friendships.
So, what to do?
Follow the program for inter-religious understanding:
(1) academic dialogue between the erudite of different religions;
(2) sharing of religious experiences between genuine practitioners;
(3) meetings between religious leaders: to dialogue and pray;
(4) joint pilgrimages to world's sacred places.
***
No matter what side of the History (or the mountain) the Dalai Lama will die on ...he's already History, great History.
Maybe he'll overcome History,
....if he's to be back, reincarnated.
*"...and the destructions and killings that the Christians did in other kingdoms...".
**see recent interview in The Economist, on Tibetans self-burning,political reforms,individual freedom...and reicarnation
*** I would, humbly, add Comparative Religions Study in schools´ curriculum.
As I approached this book I felt I got into the center of this accumulation of facts: man's religions...and how they've been so divisive, throughout History.It weighted heavily on my memory. Still, the purpose of his Eminence the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is exactly to counteract division; he calls it "peaceful coexistence" of different world faiths. Daring,indeed.
The Dalai Lama acknowledges this is a "problematic area"; he refers the risk of the "extremists" and the misuse of the emotional power of religion.
To my surprise, he calls "the clash of civilizations" a "disturbing approach". He prefers: a deeper-level interaction; another way: the "unity of the human family", since now problems are of a global nature; so, the responsibility is common. Therefore, the challenge for each and every believer is to accept the spirit of religious pluralism.
"Compassion: the link that unites all religions of the world".
But, first the weight of History.
1-The Crusades:"11th, 12th and 13th century religious military campaigns;primarily against Muslims in the Levant, occurred between 1095 and 1291".
Torquato Tasso
(1544-1595)
V
For if the Christian Princes ever strive
To win fair Greece out of the tyrants' hands,
And those usurping Ismaelites deprive
Of woful Thrace, which now captived stands
You must from realms and seas the Turks forth drive,
As Godfrey chased them from Juda's lands,
And in this legend, all that glorious deed,
Read, whilst you arm you; arm you, whilst you read.
VIII
All things he viewed, at last in Syria stayed
Upon the Christian Lords his gracious eye,
That wondrous look wherewith he oft surveyed
Men's secret thoughts that most concealed lie
He cast on puissant Godfrey, that assayed
To drive the Turks from Sion's bulwarks high
...
in "Jerusalem Delivered".
2-Jews expelled from Iberia.They "were forced to convert to Catholicism, be expelled or be killed when Spain became united under the Catholic Monarchs King Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492".
(original Edict of expulsion signed by Ferdinand and Isabella)
3-Christians in America;"...y las destrucciones y matanzas que los Cristianos en los otros reynos hacian...*"Brevísima relación de la destrucción de las Indias"(published in 1552) By Bartolomeo de las Casas.
4-St. Bartholomew's Day massacre,in 1572."...France in order to "protect him from the Huguenots� wrath." The guard was instructed to kill every group of Protestants that they found. The Catholic masses found the Protestants efficient scapegoats for the rising prices for food, ...".
5-The Shimabara (Japan) rebellion and massacre,1637�1638;when "Buddhist statues of Jizō, the bosatsu of mercy,were beheaded by rebelling Christians;...the shogunate forces beheaded an estimated 37,000 rebels and sympathizers"
6-Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam Calls For The Murder Of Salman Rushdie - "He must be killed. The Qur'an makes it clear - if someone defames the prophet, then he must die."February 21, 1989.
7-India, Christians get out: "I am a Pakistani muslim,but I fully support those Hindus who are demanding that foreign Christian missionaires [evangelism] be expelled from India" U.Atasi,Lahore in Pakistan;a letter in Newsweek, April 5,1999.
8-THAILAND:"Muslims in the South are slaughtering Buddhists in order to ethnically cleanse the area"; 13 Feb 2012.
9-Jews versus muslims;...see Palestine!
Pakistani religious leader, Pirzada Muhammad Raza Saqib Mustafai, said: "When the Jews are wiped out ... the sun of peace [will] begin to rise on the entire world." Aug 13,2012.
10-Afghan Christian Abdul Rahman Convert to Christianity & face Death; March 27,2006.
11-"Promoting the “Muslim threat� in Myanmar"
in:
(...)
----
In 2006, The Economist published an interesting article about the exiled Tibetan community in Dharmasala, India. The article was titled: "The wrong side of the mountains". A great piece quoting the 14th Dalai Lama words:"we are facing our own extinction". It was an extensive analysis of the Tibetan culture at odds with the Chinese repression; and the problem of succession.
"China knows that the deaths of Dalai Lamas and the discovery of the next incarnation, have often involved intrigue,turmoil and division". To this the 14th Dalai Lama responded: he would only reincarnate only "if Tibetans still needed the institution".
The article ended this way: "China's continued vilification of the Dalai Lama personally,however gives little hint of a readiness to treat with him. Rather it speaks of an aggressive rising power determined the Dalai Lama will die on the wrong side of the mountains, and the wrong side of History."**
Toward a true kinship of Faiths is a book of 2010. It's a remarkable source of hope for many, despite the weight of History. It teaches you that otherness (religious) can be better understood when it is studied. That's what the written word of his Eminence transmits: a profound understanding of his own Buddhism and the other major world religions precepts. I'll take a little sample of them, next.
(1) Islam; the Dalai Lama praises the uniqueness of the text;to him it's the less known religion.
(2) Christianity; maybe the most important aspect is compassion; he refers powerful images as examples:mother holding the Christ-child and Christ on the cross.
(3) Judaism: most striking:the memory aspect;the Torah commandments are double the Buddhist ones.
(4) Hinduism is not a religion of the book; several different types of Yoga are approached.
For each of these religions Tenzin Gyatso met someone during his existence: a Pope, an Iman, a Rabbi, a Swami�. and befriended someone too; many, in fact. This is the virtuosity/beauty of Buddhism.To my knowledge,no religious leader has ever matched this pluralism of friendships.
So, what to do?
Follow the program for inter-religious understanding:
(1) academic dialogue between the erudite of different religions;
(2) sharing of religious experiences between genuine practitioners;
(3) meetings between religious leaders: to dialogue and pray;
(4) joint pilgrimages to world's sacred places.
***
No matter what side of the History (or the mountain) the Dalai Lama will die on ...he's already History, great History.
Maybe he'll overcome History,
....if he's to be back, reincarnated.
*"...and the destructions and killings that the Christians did in other kingdoms...".
**see recent interview in The Economist, on Tibetans self-burning,political reforms,individual freedom...and reicarnation
*** I would, humbly, add Comparative Religions Study in schools´ curriculum.
July 9, 2017
People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost. - Dalai Lama XIV.
The antipathy in thought, word and deed between the practitioners of religious faiths, and the mutual suspicion, hostility and recrimination between the religious and the secular each of whom blame the other for the woes of the world, might have been a recurrent theme from times unknown. But in these times of ever-escalating environmental, health, existential and governmental crises, this costly and needless distraction that only serves to alienate people further, this centuries old luxury of bickering and mutual recrimination can hardly be afforded any further. The building of mutual understanding and respect must surely be both a personal and collective endeavor, and at whatever level of maturity this endeavor might be with one, this book wouldn't be such a bad aid for building/reinforcing better understanding and discourse.
Reading Dalai Lama's books gives one a measure of the quality and rigor of the contemplations that lie behind his disarmingly humble, patient, non-fretting disposition when talking about some of the most festering issues plaguing personal and world peace, and this book is no exception. A calm, deep and acutely focused meditation on comparative religion and on the building of personal and social harmony. A mind-expanding read!
The antipathy in thought, word and deed between the practitioners of religious faiths, and the mutual suspicion, hostility and recrimination between the religious and the secular each of whom blame the other for the woes of the world, might have been a recurrent theme from times unknown. But in these times of ever-escalating environmental, health, existential and governmental crises, this costly and needless distraction that only serves to alienate people further, this centuries old luxury of bickering and mutual recrimination can hardly be afforded any further. The building of mutual understanding and respect must surely be both a personal and collective endeavor, and at whatever level of maturity this endeavor might be with one, this book wouldn't be such a bad aid for building/reinforcing better understanding and discourse.
Reading Dalai Lama's books gives one a measure of the quality and rigor of the contemplations that lie behind his disarmingly humble, patient, non-fretting disposition when talking about some of the most festering issues plaguing personal and world peace, and this book is no exception. A calm, deep and acutely focused meditation on comparative religion and on the building of personal and social harmony. A mind-expanding read!
June 22, 2023
The key to this kinship according to His Holiness is love and compassion. Compassion/love/unity will be at the center of any true, practical and sustainable understanding between faiths but what's missing here is a practical plan to make this happen. Perhaps this isn't the place for that and the Dalai Lama might not even be the person to articulate it. That part - the work itself - has to come from all of us and will involve listening to those whom we most disagree with. For me it will start with my own father and other members of my family.
It's easy to talk about understanding on the mystical level and between mystics of faith traditions. It's much more difficult for those vast majority who see their faith as exclusivist or the only path. This is where the real work begins and it's going to be much more difficult and involve much more dedication than these kinds of books often indicate. I'm speaking from experience and revealing more than a little of my own subconscious through my struggles with various members of my own family when it comes to kinship of faith.
What I most love about this work is the honesty of His Holiness. He admits that he can't quite let go of the idea of difference of faith (whereas I personally would see them as all the same at the highest mystical levels and in regards to the "essence" or heart of the great wisdom traditions he references in the book). For me, faiths really are different languages which end at the same place and I too acknowledge that we will each be drawn to our own paths. My path is Islam and it is "right" for me but at the same time I've been able to internalize a much deeper love, respect and holy awe in regards to Christianity than I ever had growing up in the faith. It was never a part of me. It is now. But so is Islam and so is the essence of every other tradition in this book. It's all a part of me, all of it comes from the same source. But I know my view is in a small minority and I'm often at a loss as to how to extend this way of seeing things to others. It's not easy on a day to day basis and often the best way is to say nothing at all and just live out your love (if you can - if I can).
It's easy to talk about understanding on the mystical level and between mystics of faith traditions. It's much more difficult for those vast majority who see their faith as exclusivist or the only path. This is where the real work begins and it's going to be much more difficult and involve much more dedication than these kinds of books often indicate. I'm speaking from experience and revealing more than a little of my own subconscious through my struggles with various members of my own family when it comes to kinship of faith.
What I most love about this work is the honesty of His Holiness. He admits that he can't quite let go of the idea of difference of faith (whereas I personally would see them as all the same at the highest mystical levels and in regards to the "essence" or heart of the great wisdom traditions he references in the book). For me, faiths really are different languages which end at the same place and I too acknowledge that we will each be drawn to our own paths. My path is Islam and it is "right" for me but at the same time I've been able to internalize a much deeper love, respect and holy awe in regards to Christianity than I ever had growing up in the faith. It was never a part of me. It is now. But so is Islam and so is the essence of every other tradition in this book. It's all a part of me, all of it comes from the same source. But I know my view is in a small minority and I'm often at a loss as to how to extend this way of seeing things to others. It's not easy on a day to day basis and often the best way is to say nothing at all and just live out your love (if you can - if I can).
March 15, 2011
This book is like a Co-exist bumper sticker elucidated painfully over the course of 183 pages. It reads slowly and tediously. Perhaps some of its stylistic problems may be related to the fact that the Dalai Lama is not an English speaker and relies heavily on the help of a translator, a fact he admits in the books opening chapters. The most positive thing that I can say about this book is that it does provide a helpful and enlightening view into the some of the better ideals expressed in many of the worlds major religions. As someone who deeply wishes to be loving, respectful and compassionate toward people with different belief systems, I found this very helpful. I hope that at the very least the things I read here will help me to be more loving whenever I have the opportunity to have discussions about Truth with people who come from different cultures, places, and backgrounds. Nonetheless, the premise of the book is explained in its first chapter, and I found much of the rest of the text to be redundant when it came to expounding on the book's best idea---that we should treat each other with love and compassion and without hatred or violence. I cannot agree with most of the Dalai Lama's ideas with regard to pluralism and found his arguments about the issues of exclusivity and fundamentalism to be largely uninformed and unsatisfying. Although the Dalai Lama bears the title "his holiness," the extremely significant issue of holiness is completely absent from this text. This is not a book I would recommend.
December 21, 2021
I read this under duress (for the Book Riot Read Harder challenge: Read a book by/about a non-Western world leader) but I'm so glad I did. This book is amazing. It talks about the inherent ethics and values that unite all religions - namely, compassion and treating others with kindness. It provides a tour of several of the major world religions, treating them all with reverence. The last chapters provide an argument for religious pluralism, and how anyone who wishes for world peace must be open to the acceptance of multiple religious truths. My only complaint is that at times the language felt a little stilted and unnatural, but of course this is a book in translation, which definitely explains that element. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about world religions.
December 19, 2019
Absolutely beautiful. Never before have I felt such a profound desire to simultaneously delve deeper into my own religion and study and reverence others' beliefs. We are all working toward the same goals of living ethical and transcendent lives. Compassion is the key. So much can be learned from this spiritual leader, and from studying the similarities and differences between all of the religions of the world.
Side note: Richard Gear reads the audiobook and while at first it felt funny to hear him reading for the Dalai Lama after seeing him in "Chicago", his voice is really very pleasant and it makes for a very quick listen.
Side note: Richard Gear reads the audiobook and while at first it felt funny to hear him reading for the Dalai Lama after seeing him in "Chicago", his voice is really very pleasant and it makes for a very quick listen.
March 3, 2011
Religion can be a very divisive force, associated with intolerance, persecution, conflict, exclusivity and fanaticism. The Dalai Lama argues here that this does not need to be the case and that the religions can instead lead the way toward peace, tolerance, and greater understanding. The first section of the book examines several of the world's religions � Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism � by recounting the author's contacts and experiences with each faith and its exponents. In this way it provides examples of how people can gradually become familiar with other faiths and get to genuinely appreciate aspects of them, while still being firmly committed to their own spiritual path. For those not familiar with these faiths, it provides an introduction to some of their basic ideas and approaches.
In the second section, the Dalai Lama gives his views on how religions can work together for the good of all. He points out that compassionate ethics is a shared aspect of all faiths, despite great metaphysical and cultural differences. Indeed, he sees it as a basic human quality that underlies all ethical teachings, religious or secular, and these ethics provide common ground. Moreover, because religions can motivate people to make great personal changes and sacrifices, as they reach a deeper emotional level than other institutions generally do, religions have a opportunity to bring about more peaceful, compassionate, earth-friendly behavior on a large scale if they work together for the good of mankind. He also includes the secular population, noting that all human beings need to work together for human good, and that religious and secular people need to learn to respect each other.
The author outlines his own approach to interfaith understanding, which rests on the recognition and celebration of differences. This raises the issue of truth in religion: "Can a single-pointed commitment to one's own faith coexist with acceptance of other religions as legitimate? Is religious pluralism impossible form the perspective of a devout person who is strongly and deeply committed to his or her own faith tradition?" (p. 146) As leader of one branch of Buddhism, he has no interest in the withering away or merging of current religions. "A successful approach cannot hide the differences by promoting some vague vision of all religions actually being one, nor can it be a syncretistic attempt to merge their various strengths into a universal faith.. . . If inter-religious harmony is based upon a healthy recognition of the differences between faith traditions, this then allows us to transcend some of those differences and move beyond them to a higher level of convergence, where they have a common goal of human betterment and a set of key ethical teachings." (p. 132) He agrees that "some version of exclusivism � the principle of 'one truth, one religion' � lies at the heart of most of the world's great religions. Furthermore a single-pointed commitment to one's own faith tradition demands the recognition that one's chosen faith represents the highest religious teaching. For example, for me Buddhism is the best, but this does not mean that Buddhism is the best for all." (p. 158) Rejecting exclusivity and inclusivism, he opts for the type of pluralism that does not accept an ultimate unity of all religions, as streams flowing into the same sea or paths up the same mountain. Recognition of such ultimate oneness of religions "demands a precondition that remains impossible for the majority of adherents of the world's great religions....True understanding of the 'other' must proceed from a genuine recognition of and respect for the other's reality. It must proceed from a state of mind where the urge to reduce the other into one's own framework is no longer the dominant mode of thinking." (p. 148)
His starting point for respect of other religions is the recognition of their benefits to millions of adherents by providing them with ethical guidance, inspiration, meaning and solace. "Their profound benefit to others is really the ultimate reason each of us, believers and nonbelievers alike, must accord deep respect to the world's great faith traditions." This is a problematic point because many nonbelievers feel that the harm religions do to believers outweighs any benefits, and religious adherents may feel the same about religions other than their own. "Given the need for upholding the perspective of 'many truths, many religions' in the context of wider society, while the dictates of one's own faith demand embracing the 'one truth, one religion' perspective, I believe that a creative approach is called for here � if one wishes to uphold both of these perspectives with integrity." (p. 160) This approach not only recognizes the benefits of other religions, but that the doctrinal teachings, though unbridgeably different, inform each religion's ethical way of life. "The doctrines themselves cannot be reconciled, but the way they make it possible to ground strikingly parallel and praiseworthy ethical system is a wonderful fact." (p. 161)
In the end, the Dalai Lama asks people to "return to our basic human quality of empathy and good heart": "On that level, all differences break down. Whether one is rich or poor, educated or illiterate, religious or nonbelieving, man or woman, black, white, or brown, we are all the same. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, we are all equal. We all share basic needs for food, shelter, safety, and love. We all aspire to happiness and we all shun suffering. Each of us has hopes, worries, fears, and dreams. Each of us wants the best for our family and loved ones. We all experience pain when we suffer loss and joy when we achieve what we seek. On this fundamental level, religion, ethnicity, culture, and language make no difference. Today's great challenge of peaceful coexistence demands that we remain in touch with this basic part of our nature." (p. 180) This book is a thought-provoking contribution to discovering paths to peace and well-being for all.
In the second section, the Dalai Lama gives his views on how religions can work together for the good of all. He points out that compassionate ethics is a shared aspect of all faiths, despite great metaphysical and cultural differences. Indeed, he sees it as a basic human quality that underlies all ethical teachings, religious or secular, and these ethics provide common ground. Moreover, because religions can motivate people to make great personal changes and sacrifices, as they reach a deeper emotional level than other institutions generally do, religions have a opportunity to bring about more peaceful, compassionate, earth-friendly behavior on a large scale if they work together for the good of mankind. He also includes the secular population, noting that all human beings need to work together for human good, and that religious and secular people need to learn to respect each other.
The author outlines his own approach to interfaith understanding, which rests on the recognition and celebration of differences. This raises the issue of truth in religion: "Can a single-pointed commitment to one's own faith coexist with acceptance of other religions as legitimate? Is religious pluralism impossible form the perspective of a devout person who is strongly and deeply committed to his or her own faith tradition?" (p. 146) As leader of one branch of Buddhism, he has no interest in the withering away or merging of current religions. "A successful approach cannot hide the differences by promoting some vague vision of all religions actually being one, nor can it be a syncretistic attempt to merge their various strengths into a universal faith.. . . If inter-religious harmony is based upon a healthy recognition of the differences between faith traditions, this then allows us to transcend some of those differences and move beyond them to a higher level of convergence, where they have a common goal of human betterment and a set of key ethical teachings." (p. 132) He agrees that "some version of exclusivism � the principle of 'one truth, one religion' � lies at the heart of most of the world's great religions. Furthermore a single-pointed commitment to one's own faith tradition demands the recognition that one's chosen faith represents the highest religious teaching. For example, for me Buddhism is the best, but this does not mean that Buddhism is the best for all." (p. 158) Rejecting exclusivity and inclusivism, he opts for the type of pluralism that does not accept an ultimate unity of all religions, as streams flowing into the same sea or paths up the same mountain. Recognition of such ultimate oneness of religions "demands a precondition that remains impossible for the majority of adherents of the world's great religions....True understanding of the 'other' must proceed from a genuine recognition of and respect for the other's reality. It must proceed from a state of mind where the urge to reduce the other into one's own framework is no longer the dominant mode of thinking." (p. 148)
His starting point for respect of other religions is the recognition of their benefits to millions of adherents by providing them with ethical guidance, inspiration, meaning and solace. "Their profound benefit to others is really the ultimate reason each of us, believers and nonbelievers alike, must accord deep respect to the world's great faith traditions." This is a problematic point because many nonbelievers feel that the harm religions do to believers outweighs any benefits, and religious adherents may feel the same about religions other than their own. "Given the need for upholding the perspective of 'many truths, many religions' in the context of wider society, while the dictates of one's own faith demand embracing the 'one truth, one religion' perspective, I believe that a creative approach is called for here � if one wishes to uphold both of these perspectives with integrity." (p. 160) This approach not only recognizes the benefits of other religions, but that the doctrinal teachings, though unbridgeably different, inform each religion's ethical way of life. "The doctrines themselves cannot be reconciled, but the way they make it possible to ground strikingly parallel and praiseworthy ethical system is a wonderful fact." (p. 161)
In the end, the Dalai Lama asks people to "return to our basic human quality of empathy and good heart": "On that level, all differences break down. Whether one is rich or poor, educated or illiterate, religious or nonbelieving, man or woman, black, white, or brown, we are all the same. Physically, emotionally, and mentally, we are all equal. We all share basic needs for food, shelter, safety, and love. We all aspire to happiness and we all shun suffering. Each of us has hopes, worries, fears, and dreams. Each of us wants the best for our family and loved ones. We all experience pain when we suffer loss and joy when we achieve what we seek. On this fundamental level, religion, ethnicity, culture, and language make no difference. Today's great challenge of peaceful coexistence demands that we remain in touch with this basic part of our nature." (p. 180) This book is a thought-provoking contribution to discovering paths to peace and well-being for all.
January 22, 2019
A good crash course on world religions but a little dry. I like his ideas on religious pluralism, he has a well thought-out argument.
September 30, 2011
The most special thing about this book is the way it leaves you with the feeling that you’ve been talking face to face with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. He writes with humility and passion, on matters close to his heart.
This book is about learning to get along, because the world is shrinking. Advances in science and industry have brought us closer together, even as religious differences seem extreme. Yet, the fascinating thing is, all of the world’s most respected religions seem to share one thing in common: A teaching of compassion. Even while some religions are theistic and others, like the Buddhist tradition of the Dalai Lama, are non-theistic, the basic teaching is the same. Compassion is, in different variations, the common denominator.
As such, the Dalai Lama shows familiarity and respect for all the popular religions, and maintains that pluralism is the healthiest answer. He pleads for inter-denominational understanding, and he writes with the authority and intelligence that would be expected of his title. I couldn't help but be both impressed and inspired. Yet, when it comes to discussing alternative religions, I doubt he will ever be able to relate on the same level to those born into those religions. The Dalai Lama can appear logical and naive in the same breath, as he dreams about mutual respect across religious boundaries. Consider this problem formula, which arises in any religion where adherents are taught that theirs is the "only true way:"
I feel the Spirit ==> God is with me and my chosen religion ==> I have found the one true way
Yet, though the Dalai Lama is optimistic for the future (as am I), he understands the problem. Religions tend toward exclusivism, so while adherents are taught concern for others, this concern often translates merely into an urge for evangelism. Christians want everybody to enjoy being a Christian! On this topic, the Dalai Lama strongly disagrees. When speaking outside his country, he often begins by assuring his audience that he is not promoting Buddhism; rather, he maintains that the best religion for any person is usually the religion of their heritage. Respect for one another's beliefs is the only way to overcome religious squabbles and promote peace.
Which, of course, is another place where the book appears a bit naïve. Fundamentalist Christians don't want peace; they get positively giddy at the thought of a world war, since this means Jesus is coming to rescue them.
So what's the answer? I'm not convinced this book has any, because I'm not convinced there are any quick fixes. But I agree that believers must, one at a time and at a grass-roots level, come to see the world in a different manner. We must see across religious boundaries and welcome every human as a brother or sister, like Jesus taught.
Well, we can dream.
This book is about learning to get along, because the world is shrinking. Advances in science and industry have brought us closer together, even as religious differences seem extreme. Yet, the fascinating thing is, all of the world’s most respected religions seem to share one thing in common: A teaching of compassion. Even while some religions are theistic and others, like the Buddhist tradition of the Dalai Lama, are non-theistic, the basic teaching is the same. Compassion is, in different variations, the common denominator.
As such, the Dalai Lama shows familiarity and respect for all the popular religions, and maintains that pluralism is the healthiest answer. He pleads for inter-denominational understanding, and he writes with the authority and intelligence that would be expected of his title. I couldn't help but be both impressed and inspired. Yet, when it comes to discussing alternative religions, I doubt he will ever be able to relate on the same level to those born into those religions. The Dalai Lama can appear logical and naive in the same breath, as he dreams about mutual respect across religious boundaries. Consider this problem formula, which arises in any religion where adherents are taught that theirs is the "only true way:"
I feel the Spirit ==> God is with me and my chosen religion ==> I have found the one true way
Yet, though the Dalai Lama is optimistic for the future (as am I), he understands the problem. Religions tend toward exclusivism, so while adherents are taught concern for others, this concern often translates merely into an urge for evangelism. Christians want everybody to enjoy being a Christian! On this topic, the Dalai Lama strongly disagrees. When speaking outside his country, he often begins by assuring his audience that he is not promoting Buddhism; rather, he maintains that the best religion for any person is usually the religion of their heritage. Respect for one another's beliefs is the only way to overcome religious squabbles and promote peace.
Which, of course, is another place where the book appears a bit naïve. Fundamentalist Christians don't want peace; they get positively giddy at the thought of a world war, since this means Jesus is coming to rescue them.
So what's the answer? I'm not convinced this book has any, because I'm not convinced there are any quick fixes. But I agree that believers must, one at a time and at a grass-roots level, come to see the world in a different manner. We must see across religious boundaries and welcome every human as a brother or sister, like Jesus taught.
Well, we can dream.
November 4, 2011
Two points. 1. Compassion is the root of all religion and nonreligious ethic. This is where we find a common denominator to work together for world peace. 2. All roads lead to 'Heaven.' Unfortunately, this is a Buddhist concept, and doesn't translate to theistic religion. The step before this step though, respect for the value religions have, is doable. Excellent read. (note: Catholicism is used to refer to all Christianity; a mite simplistic for us Christians who are not Catholic). Also, from a mother's perspective, the perspective of a monk is interesting, but not readily applicable. I think it's harder to find nirvana in the midst of a young child's temper tantrum than in the sanctity of a quiet temple. Just saying.
June 18, 2013
5 stars for intent, 3 stars for writing (which I think is partially due to the fact that he's working through a translator) so it settles out at a 4, but probably closer to 3.5. Much of it is as much about the Dalai Lama's own experiences meeting with world religious leaders as it is about ways that different religious adherents can come together through the values of compassion and respect. Interfaith dialogue (as well as dialogue with atheists and agnostics) is crucial for the world today, and though I think that the problem of interfaith conflict is more complicated than he presents it here as well as discuss more about engaging with atheists, this book does a good job of identifying some of the issues and proposing solutions that are based on reason.
August 18, 2014
Dalai Lama is a very politically sensitive word in China so it is not easy to find out about what his religious views are . Fortunately, I got this book from a friend Molly in Australia and I had the opportunity to understand more about him other than simply regarding him as a "betrayer of China" like what other Chinese do.
Well, he provided me a new way to examine various religions. He believes "one truth and one religion" and "many truth and many religions "can mercifully coexist. He thinks all religions root in compassion in spite of difference and people, by nature, are different and it is very likely that they would choose to follow their own traditional religion. Therefore, we should recognize the diversity of each religion and respect them from the bottom of our heart.
Well, he provided me a new way to examine various religions. He believes "one truth and one religion" and "many truth and many religions "can mercifully coexist. He thinks all religions root in compassion in spite of difference and people, by nature, are different and it is very likely that they would choose to follow their own traditional religion. Therefore, we should recognize the diversity of each religion and respect them from the bottom of our heart.
March 26, 2014
This was a happy read and one that really touched my heart. While at times the Dalai Lama lost me with references to friends and acquaintances, he touched me with his pure wisdom and kind heart. I can see why so many revere him as the guru and teacher that he has guided so many on their path to faith. I think what's the most enlightening in this book is the similarities in our faiths and that that shouldn't be something that separates us but brings us together.
May 30, 2010
A lot of wasted pages talking about peole he had met, but without any real import. His conclusion, however, is promising and he agrees with me in principle, but his solution is too simplistic. A good read though.
February 19, 2011
Good to see inclusive coverage for those without religious beliefs.
December 18, 2019
Uplifting and necessary for all theists and a shame not to read.
February 24, 2011
What a lovely book! Fine insights & concepts shared with noble aspirations for all...
November 5, 2023
Summary: The Dalai Lama argues on the need for inter-faith tolerance to ensure humanity's survival. Although distinct faith teachings often have irreconcilable core doctrinal teaching, pluralism should focus instead on the common ethical and cultural aspect that all religions advocates: compassion. This perspective enables the acknowledgment of other faiths without compromising one's own belief, a win-win for all. Fundamentalism and extremism, he pointed, are nothing more than misguided interpretations of faiths of any kind which failed to consider the context on which the topics are described.
My take: the real message and arguments of the book arguably only begins in the last three chapters of the book, where the Dalai Lama laid the arguments detailing why religions should facilitate world peace instead of its common branding as a divisive factor. I'm glad to see the Dalai Lama acknowledging that a seemingly faith-induced conflicts are merely a facade to a deeper underlying multifaceted conflicts spanning political, geographical, and racial tensions. I would argue here, however, that these conflicts in actuality comprises most of the conflicts occuring, instead of a purely ideological clash-driven conflicts. Moreover, his ideas depended on the nature of all faith to be looking inside (as is common in nontheistic religions like Buddhism and Hinduism), whereas the reality points to the dominance of exclusivism as the core ideologies of the world's faith. In this context, the argument lays weak in contrast to the take of the modern secularist which excludes religion in its view of a utopian society.
My take: the real message and arguments of the book arguably only begins in the last three chapters of the book, where the Dalai Lama laid the arguments detailing why religions should facilitate world peace instead of its common branding as a divisive factor. I'm glad to see the Dalai Lama acknowledging that a seemingly faith-induced conflicts are merely a facade to a deeper underlying multifaceted conflicts spanning political, geographical, and racial tensions. I would argue here, however, that these conflicts in actuality comprises most of the conflicts occuring, instead of a purely ideological clash-driven conflicts. Moreover, his ideas depended on the nature of all faith to be looking inside (as is common in nontheistic religions like Buddhism and Hinduism), whereas the reality points to the dominance of exclusivism as the core ideologies of the world's faith. In this context, the argument lays weak in contrast to the take of the modern secularist which excludes religion in its view of a utopian society.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2017
Early in his writing career, The Dalai Lama focused on happiness. He's since turn to compassion. And it's compassion that all world religions have in common.
This book the Dalai Lama goes through the major faith traditions in doing his best as an outsider to describe the tenants. He proves his not just shooting from the hip by telling us the major figure in whatever religion he's currently talking about that gave him the info. He then tells us which doctrines overlap with Buddhist beliefs. It's an interesting tour of religions.
I think this should be required reading in schools and not just because it explains that Islam means surrender to Allah and because of this true believers shun violence. The Jihad we hear extremists mention as backing has been interpreted by Imams as referring to a mental and/or emotional struggle, not a physical one. In the current time of rampant Islamophobia, that is the most beneficial takeway. But the next best is The Dalai Lama's plea to not convert to another religion unless you must. The atmosphere of one's upbringing is such that a person's childhood religion is best suited for that area of the world.
This is a great read and the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I didn't read it; I listened to it. Richard Gere narrates it and his monotone voice relayed no emotion. Having listened to many a talk by the Dalai Lama, the mirth and belly laughs that accompany his talks are things I've come to expect and enjoy. But Mr. Gere's voice was the very opposite and so I found my attention wandering from time-to-time.
This book the Dalai Lama goes through the major faith traditions in doing his best as an outsider to describe the tenants. He proves his not just shooting from the hip by telling us the major figure in whatever religion he's currently talking about that gave him the info. He then tells us which doctrines overlap with Buddhist beliefs. It's an interesting tour of religions.
I think this should be required reading in schools and not just because it explains that Islam means surrender to Allah and because of this true believers shun violence. The Jihad we hear extremists mention as backing has been interpreted by Imams as referring to a mental and/or emotional struggle, not a physical one. In the current time of rampant Islamophobia, that is the most beneficial takeway. But the next best is The Dalai Lama's plea to not convert to another religion unless you must. The atmosphere of one's upbringing is such that a person's childhood religion is best suited for that area of the world.
This is a great read and the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I didn't read it; I listened to it. Richard Gere narrates it and his monotone voice relayed no emotion. Having listened to many a talk by the Dalai Lama, the mirth and belly laughs that accompany his talks are things I've come to expect and enjoy. But Mr. Gere's voice was the very opposite and so I found my attention wandering from time-to-time.
December 12, 2022
Religinio judėjimo vadovas ieško sąsajų su kitomis religijomis. Toks, nelabai labai masiškai paplitęs reiškinys.
Pradžioje skaitant maišėsi susižavėjimo ir skepticizmo jausmai. Autorius trumpai pristatė didžiąsias (ar labiausiai paplitusias) pasaulio religijas, lygindamas jas su budizmu.
Kartais atrodė, kad apie kai kurias religijas geri žodžiai sakomi iš mandagumo, o kartais per išorinį teologijos sluoksnį pasiekdavo kažkas didesnio.
Pabaigoje, lyginant religijas, tars skirtumų išryškėjo vienas bendras bruožas - atjauta (empatija?). Na, tik pats iš savęs tai nėra išimtinai religinis reiškinys. Jis skatintinas ir nereliginėse visuomenėse. Sakyčiau, dvasinės bendrystės dar reiktų paieškoti...
Pradžioje skaitant maišėsi susižavėjimo ir skepticizmo jausmai. Autorius trumpai pristatė didžiąsias (ar labiausiai paplitusias) pasaulio religijas, lygindamas jas su budizmu.
Kartais atrodė, kad apie kai kurias religijas geri žodžiai sakomi iš mandagumo, o kartais per išorinį teologijos sluoksnį pasiekdavo kažkas didesnio.
Pabaigoje, lyginant religijas, tars skirtumų išryškėjo vienas bendras bruožas - atjauta (empatija?). Na, tik pats iš savęs tai nėra išimtinai religinis reiškinys. Jis skatintinas ir nereliginėse visuomenėse. Sakyčiau, dvasinės bendrystės dar reiktų paieškoti...
August 7, 2017
Excellent book for a spiritual approach to a pluralistic contemporary society. The last two chapters are the strongest "in sum" chapters as to why anyone who follows a religion MUST be open to a world where their religion isn't the only religion and how the denial of other religions in a fundamentalist manner is actually contradictory to the core tenets of most religions in the first place). I really like this book as a companion to Stephen Prothero's _Religious Literacy_ and for its possible use to help understand how to understand not just the possibility but the necessity of religious studies and a religious literacy in schools and contemporary society. For an extra mind-blowing and enriching experience, I suggest reading this back to back with Neil deGrasse Tyson's _Astrophysics for People in a Hurry_. The two books work to create a beautiful balance of science, society, spirituality, and coexistence.
August 2, 2020
A thoughtful engagement of the many main faith traditions with an honest attempt to find their common threads. The Dalai Lama is a not only a great student of other religions, but his transparent humility comes through in how he is attempting to transcend the more traditional boundaries of doctrine in order to find a true appreciation and understanding of other faith traditions that sharpens one's own genuine faith practice. Though not everyone may be able to accept his guidance after his survey of the faiths, there is great wisdom and genuine admonition to practice one's own tradition more truly which is something we can all benefit from.
November 21, 2018
Religijos įdomus dalykas - apie jas diskusija dažnai yra tuščiavidurė, nes negalima nei įrodyti, nei paneigti. Bet, matyt, ne tiesoje esmė - čia Dalai Lama ne tik parodo, kad visos pagrindinės religijos atsimuša į tą patį moralinį pagrindą ir kviečia per dialogą spręsti tarpreligines įtampas, bet ir kviečia tikinčiuosius vienytis ir siekti bendrų tikslų, pavyzdžiui, spręsti ekologinė krizę, kovoti su skurdu, ekstremizmu ir pan.
Šiaip rašyti galima daug, bet, kadangi skaičiau lėktuvuose ir oro uostuose, jaučiuosi per daug nusikalusi rimtesnėms teologinėms diskusijoms :)))
Šiaip rašyti galima daug, bet, kadangi skaičiau lėktuvuose ir oro uostuose, jaučiuosi per daug nusikalusi rimtesnėms teologinėms diskusijoms :)))
June 10, 2017
I liked this book even it is written in a simple style. I appreciated the effort to find the common ground for different faiths on the compassion. This could be a realistic way to work together for the world's peace even if the reality is very different. I appreciated the effort to present in few words and sentences the core of the main faiths in the world. It is not a book for deepening the topics.
November 30, 2017
Excellent book breaks down religions into 3 components: 1. ethical teachings; 2. doctrine around an ultimate truth; 3. traditional customs. It also describes in detail the idea of religious pluralism, vouching for religious leaders to adopt this way of working. This is based on the given that all faiths are worthy since they have been a source of inspiration, hope and solace for millions of people. In pluralism, all faiths would coexist peacefully, like parties do in democracy and like people of different faiths do in India as an example. He also emphasizes how compassion towards your fellow man or creatures on this planet is the guiding principle of all religions.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2019
Overall this book seems to provide a decent overview of several major religions and the common goals that can be found in them. However, it suffers at times from the author’s use of stories about interfaith meetings he has had that often add very little depth to the points he is making. Replacing these tangents with a deeper dive into the commonalities and differences between the religions would have made the author’s argument stronger.
December 1, 2021
This was really thought provoking and reminded me of the time I have spent studying world religions and even a class on Tibetan Buddhism. His Holiness makes a point several times in the book about how religion is used as a title during conflict when really the issue is economic or political and about power. It made me think about the current times we’re in and the ways Christianity is being used for political gain by conservatives in the US.
August 30, 2022
This book is so peaceful and sheds a wonderful light on seeing each other in a light of kindness and compassion. Rejecting violence and embracing God (whoever that is for us) and making that our identity. I listened on audiobook, read by Richard Geere (perfect voice for the book). But I intend to buy a copy so I can take deeper notes. I recommend reading no matter your religion.
January 8, 2023
Audiobook
There is so much in here about different religions, beliefs, and ethical stances and how you can reconcile these differences and develop and deepen your compassion. It’s extraordinary how the DL is able to explain things that have divided so many for so long. A real plea for peace and a map on how we might eventually get there.
There is so much in here about different religions, beliefs, and ethical stances and how you can reconcile these differences and develop and deepen your compassion. It’s extraordinary how the DL is able to explain things that have divided so many for so long. A real plea for peace and a map on how we might eventually get there.
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