Apr 1/2 – Blog #12
The Dalai Lama is a philosophical figure not only for Buddhism, but all around the world. His ideologies are accepted and respected all over the world. He has a peaceful and understanding attitude towards virtues and ethics.
The main belief surrounding religion and ethics is that there are multiple different religions and that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and values. However, the Dalai Lama believes that instead of getting caught up in our national interests, everyone should be taught how to love, show compassion, practice mindfulness, and peace. He believes in a greater emphasis on these inner values. A world where all of these things exist is one where people can live happily and in harmony, he argues. One of his main commitments is that intolerance leads to hatred and division and that dialogue is the best way to solve this division. The Dalai’s opposition to religion brings him to the conclusion that ethics are rooted in human nature. In this way, we need to embrace our differences and focus on our commonalities.
I believe that in comparison with my own personal beliefs, the Dalai Lama is pretty accurately describing the world we live in. In particular, setting aside our differences and our interest in nationality, and delving into the global ethics of our world, we can curate a better world. I do believe that religion can help to a certain degree, like he says, but a stronger sense of inner values and ethics is necessary to harbor peace in the world. Most of what he preaches is beneficial because it solves deeper rooted issues in the world. Yes, there is no shortage of political, economic, and social issues, but the argument he makes is that all of these can be solved with more value placed on ethics and morals. Which in part I agree with because without a strong sense of morals, there are very little problems that can be solved, with difficulty in making the right decisions.
This principle is prevalently visible in the world today. Historically and presently, the root of corruption and faulty systems in the world have been the cause of a misappropriation in ethics. As fate would have it, this lack of ethics in our world has lead to a multitude of government mistakes made by important people, and a weakened sense of values when it comes to making moral decisions. Not only, is the Dalai Lama preaching for a more ethical society, but he is doing so in a justified effort to make the world a better, more peaceful place for years to come.
For more on the Dalai Lama’s commitments. Dalai Lama: “We need global, secular ethics”
450 words.
Mind of Lucca 