They would get no argument from the Dalai Lama on this. The New Atheists are right of course when they fault religion for not living up to its own ideals. Religion, with its exalted ethical and spiritual teachings, is another example-whatever Richard Dawkins might say-of our human capacity for creating good. The human mind has created art, science, philosophy, government, education, and the miracles of modern medicine. To call the brain a “problem,” of course, is only half of the story. But bacteria don’t have brains, and the crux of the problem is that we do. Granted, there are still more microorganisms in a shovelful of prime agricultural soil than human beings on Earth. Our once-marginal species is now the dominant life form on the planet numbering over seven billion souls. In the past, such moral failings, while contributing to human misery, did not put life itself at risk. Abortion clinics are bombed to support a “pro-life” agenda religiously inspired hatred in the Middle East have fueled ongoing war-religiously inspired hatred everywhere have led to countless horrors. Worse still, religion has often been in service of the very sins of intolerance that its prophets have railed against. After millennia of being preached at by priests and prophets, humanity is still addicted to war we continue to lay waste to the planet’s fragile ecosystem we torture animals, repress ethnic minorities, and ignore the plight of the poor. It is easy to sympathize with the Dalai Lama’s frustration. This is why I am increasingly convinced that the time has come to find a way of thinking about spirituality and ethics beyond religion altogether.” But the reality of the world today is that grounding ethics in religion is no longer adequate. “All the world’s major religions, with their emphasis on love, compassion, patience, tolerance, and forgiveness can and do promote inner values. Question: Why shouldn't you try to convert others if you think they are not on the best path? Less important for Buddhism, as there are other lives where they will get the chance again.ġ0.Well, not exactly-here is what the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism actually told his four million friends on Facebook earlier this fall: “If you find you agree with me and you find some value in what I If we try to convert them, we will instill doubts about their own faithĭ. If they do they will reap benefits and achieve satisfaction andĬ. To genuinely and sincerely follow their own beliefsī. He would advise people to follow their own religion The Dalai Lama does not believe in trying to convert others to BuddhismĪ. There is lots of time to be reborn and eventually reach the goal ofĩ. Of salvation, but probably does think thisĭ. He does not say if liberation is more important than these other types Paradise) and to achieve this the Buddhist path is not the only oneĬ. Other religions have other conceptions of salvation (a beautiful “liberation”( from the cycle of death and rebirth) w/o turning to theī. While it is true that teachers/adherents of other religions cannot attain Different ways some more effective for spiritual growthĪ. Oneself the creator, that everything depends upon oneselfĬ. Someone else likes idea there is no creator, that ultimately one is For some, the idea of God as creator and that everything depends on his will isī. Variety of different religions is a useful and beautiful thingĪ. Variety is wonderful and personal and allows expression ofħ. Some people prefer spicy hot food and others bland tasting foodĮ. Still, all dishes are made to taste goodĭ. Some hot, some sour, some very sweet–opposite, conflicting tastesĬ. Still purpose of these different philosophies the same ( slavation)ī. Unlike Christianity which thinks of union with another being.ĭ. Buddhists also believe that Buddahood, the ultimate goal, is a state of Contradicts Buddhist teaching that universe has no first cause, noĬreator and there can’t be such a thing as a permanent primordial pureĬ. Christians see God as the creator, almighty and permanentī. Is philosophical/doctrinal disagreement on idea of GodĪ. Each have their own paths for this transformationĥ. No conflict on this point: All major religions aim a human happiness, true religiousįollower must be gentle and honest, and strive to be a better human beingĪ. E.g., a Christian could train in meditationĤ. Is this what Hick believes might happen in the future?Ī. Type of integration not plausible: A composite religion which is neitherĪ. Allow people of all faiths to find common ground in building aĢ.
Same goal of permanent happiness and encourage moral Still, all major religions have much in common Unique features of these religions can’t be compromised w/o loss ofĬ. The Dalai Lama does not think Christianity and Buddhism can beī. Buddhism, Christianity, and the Prospects for World ReligionĪ.
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