The Dalai Lama Australia Tour 2007 stopped in Sydney today. Despite the piss-pour weather, a sizable crowd turned out to The Domain to hear His Holiness. I doubt as many stayed for the free One World concert that followed. I know that an hour and a half standing in the pouring rain was just about at the limit of my tolerance.
He began, as all trained public speakers should, with a few jokes about the weather and about the quality of Australian dental work before revealing the secret to world peace – inner peace. While religious faith is a time tested path to achieving inner peace, it is not necessary for its realization. It is not enough to be pleasant, kind, polite, and cheerful on the outside when your heart harbors fear and hatred. He used the Cold War as an example. Yes, on the surface there was peace and civility, but in reality, no one was at peace because they were afraid of what could happen at any moment.
He claimed that the concepts of “me” and “them” are outmoded. In today’s world of globalization with our lives so intricately interwoven across the globe through commerce, communication, and environment, a wound suffered by one is a wound suffered by all. To damage another is to damage oneself. This is The New Reality.
He applauded Costa Rica for dismantling their army, citing the increase in economic prosperity and happiness that inevitably results from not spending the GDP on weapons. He said that because they rely on their neighbors for protection, they actually feel more secure than if they had to be on alert themselves. He proposed a unified armed force, where every nation of the world, regardless of their size, contributed an equal number of soldiers who would serve under a rotation of generals from each country who could be called upon to act in the best interests of the world when terrorism strikes. Because we would all protect each other, there could be no wars between nations.
He also applauded South Africa for employing open dialogue to solve confrontation and advocated fostering this method of conflict resolution in children from the earliest age. So that discussion, understanding, and compromise become ingrained as the default way of thinking, children must be trained in such techniques in the family, in the school, and in the community. Then, aggression and violence will not be an automatic response to discord.
The he made some jokes about quantum physics, which somehow segued into a story of how quickly the world changes. Within a single generation, enemies often become allies. France and Germany used to hate each other, now they are best friends. So fostering hatred and racism is usually a waste of time and energy that generally leaves you looking foolish after the treaty has been signed.
He then advocated cultivating compassion for animals. By understanding the fear and pain of the smallest creatures, one can more easily appreciate the suffering of one’s fellow humans. I am skeptical that western civilization will ever be able to sympathize with the tribulations of a mosquito, but there is certainly nothing wrong with the concept.
He won my heart with the proclamation that the surest way to end suffering on earth would be to remove human beings from its surface, a notion I have often advocated. However, he countered that humans should remain on earth because they have the capacity of altruism. Since altruism is unique to humans among all other species that is reason alone to justify our existence, but only if we live to fulfill its realization.
He began, as all trained public speakers should, with a few jokes about the weather and about the quality of Australian dental work before revealing the secret to world peace – inner peace. While religious faith is a time tested path to achieving inner peace, it is not necessary for its realization. It is not enough to be pleasant, kind, polite, and cheerful on the outside when your heart harbors fear and hatred. He used the Cold War as an example. Yes, on the surface there was peace and civility, but in reality, no one was at peace because they were afraid of what could happen at any moment.
He claimed that the concepts of “me” and “them” are outmoded. In today’s world of globalization with our lives so intricately interwoven across the globe through commerce, communication, and environment, a wound suffered by one is a wound suffered by all. To damage another is to damage oneself. This is The New Reality.
He applauded Costa Rica for dismantling their army, citing the increase in economic prosperity and happiness that inevitably results from not spending the GDP on weapons. He said that because they rely on their neighbors for protection, they actually feel more secure than if they had to be on alert themselves. He proposed a unified armed force, where every nation of the world, regardless of their size, contributed an equal number of soldiers who would serve under a rotation of generals from each country who could be called upon to act in the best interests of the world when terrorism strikes. Because we would all protect each other, there could be no wars between nations.
He also applauded South Africa for employing open dialogue to solve confrontation and advocated fostering this method of conflict resolution in children from the earliest age. So that discussion, understanding, and compromise become ingrained as the default way of thinking, children must be trained in such techniques in the family, in the school, and in the community. Then, aggression and violence will not be an automatic response to discord.
The he made some jokes about quantum physics, which somehow segued into a story of how quickly the world changes. Within a single generation, enemies often become allies. France and Germany used to hate each other, now they are best friends. So fostering hatred and racism is usually a waste of time and energy that generally leaves you looking foolish after the treaty has been signed.
He then advocated cultivating compassion for animals. By understanding the fear and pain of the smallest creatures, one can more easily appreciate the suffering of one’s fellow humans. I am skeptical that western civilization will ever be able to sympathize with the tribulations of a mosquito, but there is certainly nothing wrong with the concept.
He won my heart with the proclamation that the surest way to end suffering on earth would be to remove human beings from its surface, a notion I have often advocated. However, he countered that humans should remain on earth because they have the capacity of altruism. Since altruism is unique to humans among all other species that is reason alone to justify our existence, but only if we live to fulfill its realization.
8 comments:
I really enjoyed this piece. It was a nice reminder.
Did the Lama say anything about his golf game? I've played golf with him several times in Tibet. Big hitter, the Lama.
He said you have a wicked slice.
Why ... that Lama!! Such a jester. He still owes me money that I lent him when we were at the Acropolis. Or was that you?
altruism, compassion, peace...you are sounding more and more like a social neuroscientist every day. Or maybe you've just become an antipode.
Yeah ... he was really hammered that evening. I remember that he kept hassling the strippers .. er, performers ... and we nearly got tossed from the joint. He's a wildman.
a 1 "L" Lama is the Dali, a 2"L" llama is a pack animal, and a 3 "L" lama is a really really big fire.
One L of a big fire?
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