Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World

I have been studying about secular Buddhism for a while and I just love Tenzin Gyatso's teaching.As soon as I started reading, I just could not put the book down. I finished it in a couple day and there are so many great teachings about how to be a compassionate person, not as a Buddhist, but just as a human being. I believe that everyone should read this and it would be even better for all the school to teach about empirical truth teachings.

A book that all people can relate. Good material for discussion. Do we need someone to teach us in school how to be compassionate. Maybe, I am not sure. I that is up to the individual. Great book.

This is a book that I think a lot of people need in the current climate of the world right now. I am just finishing the book in November 2020. Even though the book was written back in 2011 I believe, the knowledge that it puts forward is timeless. A lot of this should be automatic for human-beings, but you'd be surprised how many people a lot of the concepts in the book just simply do not apply to or are a foreign concept to them. Mainly compassion, which is spoke about a lot in the book, just seems like it is lacking today. I think if we all take a second to step back, assess, and then open our mouths, the world would be at least that much better. We have seem to forgotten that the world is bigger than just ourselves and need to try to come back to remember that. We all seem to have to forgotten that other people have feelings and they should be taken into consideration. Its very easy to get wrapped up in the me me me culture and completely forget that in the end it is all us us us. “You” may have gotten what you wanted, but what about all the people that was crushed along the way? Are they any less important than yourself? Myself, I picked up the kindle version of this book and you can digitally “highlight” passages that you like of course. If I had a physical copy of this book, I think I would have had to use a couple of highlight markers because I found myself constantly highlighting passages in it. Like I stated earlier, majority of this book should be automatic for people, but still interesting none the less. At the end of my reviews, I usually state if I think that the book is worthy of a physical copy for the bookshelf. I can say that it is.

I like the DVD selection by the Dalai Lama. I listen to many of his talks, and I learn more each time about choices to make to reduce my anxiety and live in "the now." I remember I only have this moment to live in vs the past or the future and to be grateful for each moment. Excellent purchase for me!

The Dalai Lama is one of the religious figures that transcends his denomination. In this well written philosophical text, he explores the value of developing a secular set of ethics, with compassion, balance and acceptance as key elements. His approach remains influenced by Eastern practice and philosophy, but does not rely on Buddhism or any other religion to grasp. A good read.

The Dalai Lama does a fantastic book distinguishing ethics, morality, character and spiritualness in a way not tied to religion. How could such a prominent figure in the Buddhist faith not mention any swaying ideology to his faith and practice? Could the Pope right a book on how to be a good person outside of the realm of Catholicism? Regardless, he does it. A perfect distinction on living life similar to that of water (character/values) and tea (religion). One element you absolutely need to survive as a human, I'll let you guess which one it is ;) Overall, a good back that is also a quick read straight from the mouth of the Dalai Lama, himself. Although, I don wonder how royalties on this book deal or purchases work for him? I'm sure they go to the monastery -anyways that's another topic. Good read here!

This book touches on a lot of different topics, but the crux is that it is quite possible to live a good life, full of compassion and caring for others, without the need for any sort of religious basis or impetus for doing so. While some people find their ethics rooted in religious belief, the fact is that many ethical values are shared across all religions and the non-religious alike.The last chapter introduces the concept of mindfulness and meditation and serves to teach those who are curious about it, how to do it, and its benefits.The Audible narration by Martin Sheen is delightful. His voice is perfect for the material.

In all honesty this is one of the best written explanations from one who has experienced what he writes about. The benefit of having the Dalai Lama himself explain some of the complexities of religion is refreshing. He has lived through a most difficult time in his life and yet he has turned these difficulties around constructively. He uses himself as an example to explain the years of patient inner struggle so necessary if we want to advance spiritually.All the way through the book there are profound statements that speak to all of us regardless of our affiliation, and at the same time promote a respect for whatever affiliation or faith you choose to be part of. I have a sense of gratitude to those who worked to translate the text into English otherwise I would not have been part of the benefit this book has to offer.His Holiness the Dalai Lama did a great service to humanity by writing this book. It will open many avenues of thought within you.

I had the please of seeing the Dalai Lama once while boarding a plane and it stroke me how humble he is. I know that I will never achieve this level but that does not stop me of trying and working on it :-).The opening and ending of the book are the best - the middle part seems to drift away a little from the message (hence four stars) but all in all it was a good reading and there are seem great lessons to be learned. I appreciate he also spends time on how to learn to meditate.There are two key elements that are key in the book: "I am a man of religion but religion alone cannot answer all of our problems" and "within the scale of the life of the cosmos, a human life is no more than a tiny blip. Each one of us is a visitor to this planet, a guest, who only has a finite time to stay. What greater folly could there be than to spend this short time lonely, unhappy and in conflict with our fellow visitors".The Dalai Lama makes an appeal to our humanity - we are not that much different from each other and instead of being angry and doing horrible things to others because we think we're different we need to achieve peaceful conflict resolution. We should not be distracted with all the material items the world offers but work together to improve our planet and ourselves as a species.This may sound like a nice idea but actually he is also realistic what is achievable and that is what sets this book apart from others that just come up with some ideas but no real plans or methods to achieve it.

Well written and insightful.Gives a great framework to work on yourself spiritually and to achieve inner peace and master ourselves better.

Another great book by the great man. he has such grace and character its like meditating just reading his words! I am not religious but it is great to know that there are (few) important religious people with such open minds, fearless of science and the times, making faith straight forward - this is a great read for anyone regardless of religion or belief, an open mind is essential.

Excellent and interesting read for anyone interested in religions, spirituality and ethics in 21st Century. It cuts right through hypocrisy and misunderstandings and gives you a non-judgemental way to approach personal development................or simply to try and understand meaningful ways to relate to yourself, others and the world.

As a proud "militant" Atheistic I realise my views often cause offence to others. As an attempt to find some middle ground with religious believers I decided to read this book. The Dalai Lama is clearly approaching this subject from his strong religious beliefs but successfully finds much we can all agree on.Whilst I will continue to preach evangelically about atheism I shall hopefully be able to do so with a clearer understanding that, for the most part, we all seek the same things from life.