Dalai Lama urges Christians

[cappie]

Dalai Lama urges Christians not to convert to Buddhism


The Dalai Lama has said that Western Christians and Muslims should embrace the teachings of compassion and peace that can be found in their own religious traditions, rather than convert to Buddhism.

The controversial words were spoken by the spiritual leader of Tibet and the leader of the Tibetan Government in Exile at a conference entitled "Ethics for a New Millennium" in Edinburgh, Scotland last weekend.

Instead, the Dalai Lama urged Western Christians and Muslims embrace the teachings of compassion and peace that can be found in their own religious traditions.

"All major religions carry the same messages. Messages of love, compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline. I have Muslim friends, Christian friends. All have these same values."

The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibet, but has lived in exile for nearly 50 years since his homeland was invaded by China.

Despite the continued use of violence against his people by the Chinese he has inspired the hearts and minds of many across the world with his teachings of non-violence and compassion.

As part of his address he urged the USA and Britain to take a "firm stand" with China regarding democracy, freedom of speech and human rights.

These words come days after British Prime Minister Tony Blair engaged in discussions with Chinese President Hu Jintao, and at a time when US President George Bush is in Beijing.

Proposals to increase trade with China has been met with fierce opposition by both human rights and free Tibet protestors.

[zunshynn]

That's wierd.

I used to think about becoming a Tibetan Buddhist.

[DAF]

The Dalai Lama is a very good man, and I appreciate his message here. The only part that sort of puzzled me was how he seemed to degrade christianity and islam to religions of moral ethics (much in the way that buddhism is), when we're so much more than that.
I understand what he was saying though, and appreciate him that much more for saying it.

Free Tibet!
In Christ

[zunshynn]

[quote name='DAF' date='Nov 23 2005, 06:38 PM']The Dalai Lama is a very good man, and I appreciate his message here. The only part that sort of puzzled me was how he seemed to degrade christianity and islam to religions of moral ethics (much in the way that buddhism is), when we're so much more than that.
I understand what he was saying though, and appreciate him that much more for saying it.

Free Tibet!
In Christ
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[/quote]

Does it puzzle you? Of course Christianity seems just about moral ethics to outsiders. If they understood it was more than that.... well, they'd probably be catholic!

I cannot say I "appreciate" such a message. Because when people tell us that it doesn't matter if we stay in our own religion, they're going to demand that we not care what religion they are... and as Catholics we cannot do that. I mean... everyone has free will... but it is our job to try to get them to see the fullness of truth in the catholic faith. We cannot be satisfied until every single child of God's can recieve the holy Eucharist. We've got our work cut out for us.

[DAF]

By "appreciate" i mean "recognize the weight of " the message.
And by "puzzle" I couldn't think of the proper adjective to describe something less severe than shock.
(I got a concussion, gimme a break for a couple days)

in Christ

[photosynthesis]

american pseudo-Buddhists are SO ANNOYING. I have yet to meet a "buddhist" college student who wasn't as addicted to material things as everyone else. The Dalai Lama was probably just annoyed with american people calling themselves buddhists

Edited November 24, 2005 by photosynthesis