6 Quotes by Lynn M. Hamilton

By “global ethics,” the Dalai Lama means that all people must take personal responsibility for ensuring human rights, fairness, equality, and environmental protection, regardless of their belief system.

The Dalai Lama teaches that the self lies somewhere beyond our bodies and our minds. He preaches that human nature is essentially good. Only the affection of a mother allows a child to survive. Only the baby’s affection for his mother drives him to feed from her breast. This shows, the Dalai Lama explains, that we are born into compassion and sustained by it. So our essential nature is compassionate.

Through civil disobedience, India could free itself from tyranny while preserving a commitment to the peaceful ethics of all its major religions.

Often he says that practicing Buddhism is unnecessary. Everyone can find the keys to a purposeful and moral life within their own culture and religious framework.

What does the Dalai Lama’s life teach us? Certainly, he is a sterling example of turning adversity into joyful service. But there is more to him than that: he is also a model of innovation and adaptation. He has taken the tenets of Buddhism and made them relevant to everyone. His message is not just about personal happiness and good karma; it is also very much about respecting the earth’s resources, recognizing the equality of all people, and sharing with the less fortunate.

He met with Pope Paul VI, and they found common ground in their conviction that faith brings meaning to life regardless of the belief system.