‘Compassion and warm-heartedness are what we can call universal religion, whether we believe in reincarnation or not, whether we believe in God or not. For Buddhists, it does not matter whether we believe in the Buddha or not. It is most important to be a good human being. Sooner or later we have to die, and then if we review and regret all the past years, it is too late.’
‘We place too much emphasis on machines. We should lead our daily lives with some principles. Just like the police force, the intelligence force must be here inside ourselves, and our supreme court must also be within us. Whether there is a supreme court or not, as a judge, a policeman, a punisher, punish yourself if you do something wrong, not necessarily physically, but even mentally – regret it; confess.’ - His Holiness the Dalai Lama
His Holiness the Dalai Lama describes himself as a Simple Buddhist monk. However, to millions of people around the world, he embodies the highest human aspiration: to be happy. His messages of compassion, altruism and peace are articulated in a unique secular ethic and supported with techniques and practices that can help us achieve these ideals. Eliciting global respect and admiration, he is both a prophet and a statesman for our troubled times, yet he’s intensely human and accessible. He’s an inspiration to millions, yet many feel as if he touches and speaks to them personally. He is a Buddhist but belongs to all humanity.
This remarkable book is an edited compilation of mostly personal conversations spanning more than twenty-five years between the Dalai Lama and Rajiv Mehrotra, a disciple of his for more than twenty-five years, who’s now the trustee and secretary of the Foundation for Universal Responsibility, which was established with the funds from the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to His Holiness in 1989. Within these pages, the Dalai Lama’s disarming candor, his deep empathy for his student’s quest, and his wisdom – garnered not just from texts and scriptures but also from an active engagement with life – offer invaluable insights to us all on how we may find true happiness.
