Monday, July 6, 2009

Dalai Lama

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOUR HOLINESS
Truth cannot shine if we fail to accept truth or consider it illegal to tell the truth.
Responsibility for working for peace lies not only with our leaders, but also with each of us individually.
Peace starts within each one of us.
When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around usNo matter how new the face or how different the dress and behavior, there is no significant division between us and other people.
It is foolish to dwell on external differences, because our basic natures are the same.

Providing for equality under law, everyone is entitled to equal rights and freedoms without discrimination of any kind.
Peace and freedom cannot be ensured as long as fundamental human rights are violated.
Similarly, there cannot be peace and stability as long as there is oppression and suppression.
It is unfair to seek one's own interests at the cost of other people's rights.

I believe that at every level of society - familial, tribal, national and international - the key to a happier and more successful world is the growth of compassion.
We do not need to become religious, nor do we need to believe in an ideology. All that is necessary is for each of us to develop our good human qualities.
Ultimately, humanity is one and this small planet is our only home, If we are to protect this home of ours, each of us needs to experience a vivid sense of universal altruism. It is only this feeling that can remove the self-centered motives that cause people to deceive and misuse one another.


Whether we are concerned with suffering born of poverty, with denial of freedom, with armed conflict, or with a reckless attitude to the natural environment everywhere, we should not view these events in isolation. Eventually their repercussions are felt by all of us. We, therefore, need effective international action to address these global issues from the perspective of the oneness of humanity, and from a profound understanding of the deeply interconnected nature of today's world.
At birth, all human beings are naturally endowed with the qualities we need for our survival, such as caring, nurturing and loving kindness. However, despite already possessing such positive qualities, we tend to neglect them. As a result, humanity faces unnecessary problems. What we need to do is to make more effort to sustain and develop these qualities. Therefore, the promotion of human values is of primary importance. We also need to focus on cultivating good human relations, for, regardless of differences in nationality, religious faith, race, or whether people are rich or poor, educated or not, we are all human beings. When we are facing difficulties, we invariably meet someone, who may be a stranger, who immediately offers us help. We all depend on each other in difficult circumstances, and we do so unconditionally.
We do not ask who people are before we offer them help. We help because they are human beings like us. -Dalai Lama


As a child I attended a private Catholic school (I know, I know, I'm sorry too). I never agreed to calling the visiting Cardinal "Your Excellency" but I think I would use the words quite freely with his Holiness The Dali Lama. One of the greatest minds the world has ever known

3 comments:

  1. This is a wonderful, very timely, reassuring post.

    Thank you!

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  2. He's not just one of the greatest minds, but hearts as well, don't you think?
    I love him, just seeing his face makes me feel sooo peaceful. And he never takes himself too seriously, which is beautiful.
    I watched a 3 hour ceremony (online) dedicated to his health and well being, so it was all very serious, and it was in Dharamsala, and he did his part, but then close to the end after some very big deal chanting and such like, The Dalai Lama put his fingers on his nose, and wiggled them,in trumpet style, while laughing, in someone's direction.

    He's just beautiful. So, thank you truly for this post:) And for always saying such nice things on mmine

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  3. You ladies are more than welcome. Thanks so much for the kind words. I do love the way he always seems so happy and looks like he loves to laugh. I bet he would be a great guy to have a cup of tea and tell jokes with

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