Why the Dalai Lama Rocks

His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama

His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama

I don’t know exactly when I first became aware of the (current) Dalai Lama, but I can vividly remember reading his autobiography and being utterly impressed and astonished at the depth of his thinking and his compassion–even for people in my (young and not very compassionate) view who “didn’t deserve it.” (e.g. those that had tortured and killed his countrymen, invaded and overtaken his country, forced him into exile, and so forth.)

I am not a Buddhist, but there is much about Buddhist teaching that calls to me, and much that I think we all can learn from.

I know it’s a lifelong journey, etc. but personally I am struggling with attempting to feel compassion for people I find reprehensible: e.g. those who identify as being “American Conservative Republicans.” Yet, my lack of compassion toward them, mainly only hurts me, and it certainly does not contribute to something I believe in: which is the propagation of personal, local, national, and world peace and happiness.

In an essay, the Dalai Lama wrote:

Under present conditions, there is definitely a growing need for human understanding and a sense of universal responsibility. In order to achieve such ideas, we must generate a good and kind heart, for without this, we can achieve neither universal happiness nor lasting world peace. We cannot create peace on paper. While advocating universal responsibility and universal brotherhood and sisterhood, the facts are that humanity is organized in separate entities in the form of national societies.

And furthermore, in my country, we seem to be organized in the form of separate entities in the form of political persuasion and/or parties: We have the Rush Limbaughs and Ann Colters of the world who think “liberals” have no morals and should be wiped off the face of the planet.

Yet I further this schism and add to the divisiveness when I rage against the republicans and the conservatives and think of them (and speak of them) as though they have no souls, no hearts, and no concern for their fellow man.

I’ll work on it.В  H.H. The Dalai Lama speaks the truth when he says:

Living in society, we should share the sufferings of our fellow citizens and practise compassion and tolerance not only towards our loved ones but also towards our enemies. This is the test of our moral strength. We must set an example by our own practice…

So I’ll start where I am, and for the rest of today, I will try to have compassion for the republicans/conservatives, try not to speak or think ill of them, and try to embody the principles set forth by H.H.T.D.L. (and many other people whom I admire, including my mother.)

I mean, if the Dalai Lama could forgive the Chinese, I should be able to forgive anybody anything… right?

If you’re interested, you can read the rest of this very sane essay written by The Dalai Lama here: A Human Approach to World Peace .

I would encourage you to do so, and to join me in these efforts. This kind of stuff is sane, and may even help make a better world!

March 9, 2009  Tags: , , , , , , , ,   Posted in: Sane

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