What is the Dalai Lama talking about?

[Awaiting_the_fifth]

This is a quote I found on another thread and, when I investigated further, quickly found other uses of it elswhere on the internet.

The Dalai Lama said:

The essence of all religions is love, compassion, and tolerance. Kindness is my true religion. The clear proof of a person’s love of God is if that person genuinely shows love to fellow human beings.

Why is the Dalai Lama involking "God"?

Any ideas?

[Pathless]

Hi ATF,

I would venture to say that the Dalai Lama is invoking God because he is talking across faiths. As I mentioned in the 'naturalism/atheism' thread, in reply to another one of your posts, the concept of 'God' is not universally shunned in Buddhism. Thich Nhat Hanh often uses the word. I think that, while it could be said that Buddhism is an 'atheistic religion,' one of its real strengths is its universal appeal and ability to reach beyond strictly defined borders. The spirit of Buddhism is not bound by concepts or language. The deepest truths that Buddhism offers are experiential, universal insights that individuals may come to; but these profound insights of interconnection and inter-being are far beyond the constraints of language and mental formations; therefore, a prolific teacher will not be bound by dogma, concepts, or language.

My 2c.

[Vajradhara]

Namaste all,


i would agree with pathless... this is an example of Upaya when speaking with theistic beings.

metta,

~v

[taijasi]

Also consider, as you will see in this Encyclopedia Britannica article, that some Buddhists do believe in an Ultimate Buddha, or "first, self-existing Buddha, from whom are said to have evolved the five Dhyani-Buddhas." In this Cosmology, there is most certainly an "ultimate being," but it is accepted that all description or attempt to characterize such a (state of) being is useless ... and therefore Silence is the best description of all.

The Dalai Lama is extremely familiar with the esoteric Buddhist teachings which date back to Shakyamuni and before, as well as Vajrayana, in which the above Dhyani-Buddhas (and their parent, Adi-Buddha) figure prominently. The beauty of HHDL, imo, is that he is able to speak simply yet profoundly, being at once full of Joy & laughter ... while also knowing interiorly a Wisdom that most of us will probably be developing for lifetimes. In this sense, I don't find it at all unlikely that he knows a good deal about this "G-d person" (vide Douglas Adams, HHGttG) ... but I also think he is happy to use the word God because of his ecumenical approach and non-bias toward other faiths/traditions.

Peace,

andrew