It is the task of all human beings with an aspiration to spiritual perfection … to affirm the fundamental value of compassion…

The Dalai Lama

The Fundamental Value

Theme: Compassion

It is the task of all human beings with an aspiration to spiritual perfection—not just the leaders of the world religions but also every individual believer—to affirm the fundamental value of compassion that lies both at the heart of human nature and at the core of the ethical teachings of all the world’s major religions. In this way we can truly develop a deep recognition of the value of other faiths, and on that basis, we can cultivate genuine respect.

The Dalai Lama

Tenzin Gyatso, born on July 6, 1935, is known globally as the 14th Dalai Lama, the spiritual and former political leader of the Tibetan people. Born as Lhamo Thondup in a farming family in Taktser, Amdo, Tibet, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, when he was just two years old. As the Dalai Lama, he holds the highest spiritual position within Tibetan Buddhism and is seen as a figure of great moral authority and influence. Following China's invasion of Tibet in 1950, he assumed full political power in 1950 but was forced into exile in India in 1959 after the failed Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.

The Dalai Lama is renowned for his messages of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, and compassion. He has authored numerous books and has lectured worldwide, becoming one of the most influential figures in the world of spirituality and philosophy. In recognition of his work for peace and non-violence, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. Furthermore, his advocacy for the cultural and religious rights of the Tibetan people and his efforts to find a peaceful solution to the situation in Tibet through dialogue and understanding, rather than violence, have made him an internationally respected leader. Despite the political controversies and challenges, he remains committed to promoting human values and harmony among the world's religious traditions.

Buddhism
Toward a True Kinship of Faiths

The Dalai Lama (Toward A True Kinship Of Faiths: How The World's Religions Can Come Together) Intro. XI-XIII.

The Dalai Lama

Theme: Compassion

About This Dalai Lama Quote [Brief Commentary]

In the words of the Dalai Lama, compassion is not a trait reserved for the elite or the spiritually advanced; it is an innate quality within all of us. It’s like a seed within the soil of our hearts, awaiting nourishment. When we recognize this, we realize that every faith tradition, every ethical framework, is essentially guiding us towards the same universal truth: compassion is foundational. To see this is to appreciate the value in each other’s beliefs, not as divergent paths but as parallel journeys towards a common destination of deeper humanity.

The Dalai Lama’s invitation to affirm the value of compassion serves as a reminder that interconnectedness is not a lofty ideal but a simple, elemental truth. By elevating compassion, we acknowledge the common ground we share, not just with fellow believers of our own faith but with humanity at large. In this shared space, respect is not something we have to manufacture; it flows naturally from a sense of kinship. We no longer see others through the divisive lens of ‘us’ and ‘them,’ but rather as mirrors reflecting the same essential quality of compassion that resides in us.

It’s also powerful to consider that compassion is tied to our happiness. The Dalai Lama stresses that whether we’re believers or nonbelievers, compassion is what ultimately nurtures our well-being. In caring for others, we water the seed of compassion in ourselves and in doing so, we experience a form of happiness that is deep and enduring. This is not a fleeting joy but a solid foundation upon which we can build a meaningful life. In its simplicity, compassion unites us, enriches us, and brings us back to the heart of what it means to be truly human.

The Dalai Lama, Toward A True Kinship Of Faiths: How The World’s Religions Can Come Together

The establishment of genuine inter-religious harmony, based on understanding is not dependent upon accepting that all religions are fundamentally the same, or that they lead to the same place. I do maintain, however, that their very different metaphysical teachings give, in each case, a truly inspiring foundation for a beautiful ethical system rooted in compassion. I have no doubt that a sincere believer can, with integrity, be a pluralist in relation to religions other than his own, without compromising commitment to the essence of the doctrinal teachings of his own faith.

My engagement with the world’s religions has convinced me that, whatever the differences of doctrine, on the level of actually living a religious life or fulfilling a spiritual aspiration, there is a striking degree of shared understanding. In particular, all the great religions stress compassion as a fundamental spiritual value… I have no doubt that compassion lies at the heart of all these religions. If this is true, there is a tremendous potential for the world’s religions to come together in the cause of human goodness… The challenge before us—which I see as most urgent—is to overcome this history [of conflict] and move to a harmonious understanding rooted in compassion.

—The Dalai Lama [Toward A True Kinship Of Faiths: How The World’s Religions Can Come Together] Intro. XI-XIII.

An Additional Quote from the Dalai Lama

“It is my fundamental conviction that compassion—the natural capacity of the human heart to feel concern for and connection with another being—constitutes a basic aspect of our nature shared by all human beings, as well as being the foundation of our happiness. In this respect, there is not an iota of difference between a believer and a nonbeliever, nor between people of one race or another. All ethical teachings, whether religious or nonreligious, aim to nurture this innate and precious quality, to develop it and to perfect it.”

—The Dalai Lama [Toward A True Kinship Of Faiths: How The World’s Religions Can Come Together (From a book review on the Spirituality & Practice website)].

The Fundamental Value

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