5/16/2008 8:09 pm
Last Read:
5/17/2008 12:14 pm
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In his Introduction to The Four Noble Truths, the Dalai Lama (exiled religious leader of Tibet, which is NOT supposed to be a part of China) writes:
"I would like to further emphasize that when I say all religions have great potential, I am not just being polite or diplomatic. Whether we like it or not, the entire human race cannot be Buddhist, that is quite clear.
"Similarly, the whole of humanity cannot be Christian or Muslim, either. Even in India during the Buddha's time, the entire population did not turn to Buddhism. This is just a fact.
"Furthermore, I have not just read books about other religions but I have met genuine practitioners of other traditions. We have talked about deep, spiritual experiences, in particular the experience of loving kindness. I have noticed a genuine and very forceful loving kindness in their minds. My conclusion is therefore that these religions have the potential to develop a good heart."
"The Queen of Hearts is always your best bet." --The Eagles, Desperado.
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2622 posts 5/16/2008 8:31 pm |
What a nice post. Thank you. It warms my heart when I hear of a great leader talk about inclusiveness instead of divisiveness. This world is just getting more and more crowded and the sooner we can all learn to live together, the better.
S
"Seduce my mind and you can have my body. Find my soul and I'm yours forever."
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16353 posts 5/16/2008 10:54 pm |
...and the entire human race, nor any part of it, doesn't learn its graces overnight. secular and non-secular alike forget that, born human, we are utterly fallible, yet utterly capable of grace.
Nice...
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5/17/2008 2:11 am |
The D.L. as usual shows forseight and acceptance in his words. At the base of any endeavor are the humans involved in it. Since humans have the capacity for goodness, and at the base of all religions lie human practitioners, then all religions (which are really and only made up of the humans practicing them) have the capacity for goodness.
The cessation of suffering is attainable through nirodha. Nirodha means the unmaking of sensual craving and conceptual attachment. The third noble truth expresses the idea that suffering can be ended by attaining dispassion. Nirodha extinguishes all forms of clinging and attachment. This means that suffering can be overcome through human activity, simply by removing the cause of suffering. Attaining and perfecting dispassion is a process of many levels.*
* Thanks to "The Big View" for this synopsis
To Dance Beneath the Diamond Sky With One Hand Waiving Free; Silhouetted by the Sea
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