I
am interested not in converting other people to Buddhism but in how
we Buddhists can contribute to human society, according to our own
ideas. I believe that other religious faiths also think in a
similar way, seeking to contribute to the common aim....
Just as Buddha showed an example of contentment, tolerance, and
serving others without selfish motivation, so did Jesus Christ.
Almost all of the great teachers lived a saintly life - not
luxuriously like kings or emperors but as simple human beings.
Their inner strength was tremendous, limitless, but the external
appearance was of contentment with a simple way of life.
....the motivation of all religious practice is similar - love,
sincerity, honesty. The way of life of practically all religious
persons is contentment. The teachings of tolerance, love, and
compassion are the same. A basic goal is the benefit of humankind -
each type of system seeking in its own unique ways to improve human
beings. If we put too much emphasis on our own philosophy,
religion, or theory, are too attached to it, and try to impose it
on other people, it makes trouble. Basically all the great
teachers, such as Gautama Buddha, Jesus Christ, or Mohammed,
founded their new teachings with a motivation of helping their
fellow humans. They did not mean to gain anything for themselves
nor to create more trouble or unrest in the world.
Most important is that we respect each other and learn from each
other those things that will enrich our own practice. Ever if all
the systems are separate, since they each have the same goal, the
study of each other is helpful.
- from "The Dalai Lama: A Policy of Kindness"
compiled and edited by SidneyPiburn, published by Snow Lion
Publications
