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I recently received a forward from a friend, and really liked what the Dalai Lama said. He was asked by an interviewer: ““Your holiness, what is the best religion?”
I thought he would say: “The Tibetan Buddhism” or “The oriental religions, much older than Christianity”
Dalai Lama paused, smiled and looked me in the eyes ….which surprised me because I knew of the malice contained in my question.
He answered: “The best religion is the one that gets you closest to God. It is the one that makes you a better person.”
To get out of my embarassment with such a wise answer, I asked: “What is it that makes me better?”
He responded:
“Whatever makes you
more compassionate,
more sensible,
more detached,
more loving,
more humanitarian,
more responsible,
more ethical.”
“The religion that will do that for you is the best religion”
I love that man!
I’ve always wanted to ask the Dalai Lama where he finds the time to put the foreword to just about every new Buddhist book published… 😆 SamBee wrote:I’ve always wanted to ask the Dalai Lama where he finds the time to put the foreword to just about every new Buddhist book published…
😆 I’m sure he has his own “Executive Secretary.”
Thanks for this post Rix. I recently just read The Art of Happiness. I love the Dalai Lama… that man is so wise and amazingly happy! So much to learn from him. flowerdrops wrote:Thanks for this post Rix. I recently just read The Art of Happiness. I love the Dalai Lama… that man is so wise and amazingly happy! So much to learn from him.
Yes he is! Many are surprised how respectful he is of all religions, but that is what I find so appealing about him. Many Mormons could learn much from him!Great thoughts – and so much like what Pres. Hinckley used to stress about just being a little better. I can’t remember when this was, but it was in the past couple of years. Someone was interviewing the current Dalai Lama, and they asked him what we would expect as a real hardball, western journalist-style, interview question. I can’t remember the exact words, but they basically called him out on the whole god-like stature of his symbolic position in Tibetan Buddhism. It was basically like “Are you really all that?” My jaw dropped to the floor when he answered. I was so impressed. He simply stated that no, he was just a normal man, and he wasn’t even any special kind of super-monk. He was committed to the religious practice of Buddhism, and is still figuring it all out like everyone else. He took his outward social role very seriously though, and he is “The Dalai Lama.”
He wasn’t the slightest bit embarrassed, apologetic or shy about it.
Brilliant Rix! I absolutely love it. This is my new mantra! Here is another incredible quote from the Dalai Lama that I came across this morning… “My true religion, my simple faith is in love and compassion. There is no need for complicated philosophy, doctrine, or dogma. Our own heart, our own mind, is the temple. The doctrine is compassion. Love for others and respect for their rights and dignity, no matter who or what they are – these are ultimately all we need.”
Ray, I realize this may be petty but as I read your thoughts on President Hinckley (I really do respect him by the way) I was surprised by my reaction. I love how the Dalai Lama said “More” compassionate etc. rather than be better. It feels more doable for some reason. The word “more” implies to me that I already am compassionate while the “be a little better” seems to say I’m not good enough. The reaction I had taught me something about myself. Both the Dalai Lama and President Hinckley are saying the same thing just in different ways and for some reason, the Dalai Lama’s words motivate me while I feel depressed by Pres. Hinckley’s. So perhaps my religion isn’t helping me be “more” at this time for a complicated set of reasons.
canadiangirl, I agree that your reaction probably is more about issues you have with perfectionism – and linking Pres. Hinckley’s words to that issue – than it is about the words themselves. I have heard LOTS of people, especially women, who absolutely LOVED Pres. HInckley’s focus on “a little better” and “a little more” – specifically because they got the message that it’s ok to not be anywhere near perfection right now. It took a lot of stress away from the to hear a Prophet say that. We really do filter through our own experiences and paradigms. I hope you find peace, no matter how you find it.
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