ipl-logo

Dalai Lama's Essay: The Role Of Religion In Modern Society

632 Words3 Pages

In the essay, “ The Role of Religion in Modern Society”, Dalai Lama, The preeminent religious authority in Buddhism reveals the reason behind why religion has been a major source of conflict throughout the history, and how inter-religious harmony is the key to overcoming conflict of the first sort. He goes deeper into the similarities between different religion and identifies the obstacles that obstruct inter-religious harmony by developing ways to overcome them. He believes religion plays a vital role in the modern society by shaping the person's spiritual qualities rather than making him a better religious person than the other.
Dalai Lama expounds that religious practice can help a person cope with adversity than those who don't. Although, …show more content…

Although he agrees that it is beneficial to learn from other traditions, but conversion from their birth culture and tradition will add confusion to their identity. To support this he tells the reader to ask this question to themselves, “Am I attracted to this new tradition because of the essential teachings; or, is it because I find the rituals more fascinating; or, is it because I imagine this new tradition will be less demanding?”(445). If the person still converts after thinking the question through then he thinks it is essential that he does not comment on his previous faith. Throughout the essay Dalai Lama has given the reasons why religion plays an important role to shape the person. Every religion has an essential part to share an enriched diversity. Further in his essay he continues by comparing the similarities between different religion. In one part he compares the “Mahayana Buddhist concept of Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya, and Nirmanakaya and the Christian trinity of God as Father, Son and the Holy Spirit” (444). Although he states that the three concepts are similar to the Christian trinity, but he doesn't explain further how it is similar and the reasons behind the concepts. On the contrary, Dalai Lama explains that the important point is to spread love and compassion,patience,tolerance,humility,forgiveness, and all the spiritual qualities of human

Show More
Related
450 Words | 2 Pages

These two major figures influenced the lifestyle of billions of people from all over the world. Throughout the book Hanh shows a deeper connection between Christianity and Buddhism by renewing the reader's understanding of the main importances of the two religions. Hanh also highlights the importance of being open minded about other religions and emphasizes that people need to be open to the commonalities and or similarities seen

Read More
302 Words | 2 Pages

The capacity to learn is a construct familiar to all animals and some plants, so what makes us so special? There is an advantage to trees being tall and supported by rigid and woody vascular systems. The advantage is simply that most plants grow towards the sunlight to ensure a constant rate of photosynthesis by avoiding obstruction. The tallest tree in the forest never gets outshined, or rather out shadowed, by other trees. Thus, over millions of years natural selection has allowed for coniferous trees to reach heights up to fifty feet, since most of the areas that they inhabit tend to be low on the ultra violet index.

Read More
983 Words | 4 Pages

Making the interfaith connections and gaining mutual understanding helps develop religious pluralism. The ideals the Dalai Lama preaches to Patel would improve society as a whole. By sharing his experiences with Brother Wayne and the Dalai Lama Eboo Patel emphasizes the need for religious pluralism and invites us to embrace religious

Read More
459 Words | 2 Pages

However,

Read More
854 Words | 4 Pages

Religions have existed for millenniums, cultivation and sculpting the old world into what it is today. Each religion is unique in its own sense, meaning that each religion is its own mix, it’s own jam. Every one of these jams, or religions, have been spread across nations. Some jams are smooth like butter, finding easy acceptance and even easier assimilation, whereas some jams are chunky and laden with difficulties. Buddhism’s jam was one of interesting circumstance, containing a vary of smooth and chunky consistency.

Read More
697 Words | 3 Pages

America is a country that is portrayed differently from others when it comes to freedom. The society of Americans is spoiled unlike other countries because it is materialistic. Unfortunately, since America is spoiled the majority of the community only has a love for money instead of things that are more important such as family and a relationship with God. “It is Americans who are gullible” (Alcorn, Page 191). Li Quan and Ben Fielding were old time friends who went to college together at Harvard University.

Read More
204 Words | 1 Pages

Nevertheless,

Read More
722 Words | 3 Pages

Religion has created and resolved many conflicts in civilizations. Throughout world history, religion has played a huge role of different societies due to the conflict that it can cause in cities, countries and even full continents. As time goes by, maturity within each religion progresses. Each religion has become more forgiving with their rules and guidelines which is a drastic difference to how it used to be when old countries used religions to unite and decide government rulers. Religion is a crucial part of civilizations, it can have many different positive and negative effects on the way countries move on.

Read More
539 Words | 3 Pages

The most meaningful or should I say the reading that intrigued me the most in part one is that of Compassion written by The Dalai Lama. The statement “I think that every human being has an innate sense of “I” (The Dalai Lama.p.83) is what peaked an interest for me, I interpreted that to mean that at some point of time in life everyone thinks of themselves. People may naturally have a desire to seek happiness, obtaining a sense of peace that will make them happy within life. He goes on to say the fact that human beings are intelligent can in some ways hinder their happiness.

Read More
843 Words | 4 Pages

Living religions, practices and rituals are integral to adherents’ behaviours and are immersed in everyday human existence. The fundamental principles that define a living religion are compatible with a modern society that is dynamic, and can be seen in practice today. Each of the living religions explored in the articles have different beliefs and ethics, which contribute immensely to each individual, providing a sense of self identity and belonging, along with a moral code and answers to questions that are otherwise unexplainable. Living religion supplies a moral code for adherents to base their everyday life and actions upon, whilst also providing stability. These moral codes differ between each religion, but ultimately dictate the way in which an individual should live their life and base decisions regarding all aspects of their existence.

Read More
1204 Words | 5 Pages

“Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life” (Buddha). Throughout different time periods religion has impacted the society in which people live. Religion has and continues to dictate the rules citizens have to follow in all areas, especially social, educational, and political. Religion influences morals, values, and people’s identities. Many people turn to religion for not just spiritual answers, but for guidance and help in everyday life.

Read More
1010 Words | 5 Pages

Religion–it is something that has been in existence since the beginning of time. It brings meaning to life and death. It creates a sense of belonging in the world. On the other hand, religion, or lack thereof, has also been, in many instances, the cause of oppression, warfare, and even terrorism. Sometimes religion is used to the advantage of one’s self.

Read More
594 Words | 3 Pages

Week Outline Preliminary Thesis Statement: Religion is an essential constituent of any civilization with a unique spiritual pathway. Main Point: Religious spirituality establishes the framework for human social and cultural development. 1. Topic Sentence:

Read More
1390 Words | 6 Pages

Jurak Una PS190 Argumentative analysis essay In the past few years, there has been much discussion on whether religious teaching should be part of the public school curriculum. Religion is a constant element shaping our political, economic and social lives. It pinpoints the set of beliefs, dogmas and practices defining the relation between human beings and the so called “divinity”. The notion of religion has always been a very important element of the world’s history.

Read More
1183 Words | 5 Pages

As noted by Parvati Raghuram "For many, religion relates primarily to belief systems with a commitment to some normative values and some social order" (Skeleton & Allen, 1999) . Religion offers a structure that facilitates honourable thinking and encourages individuals to act sincerely in a formidable

Read More

More about Dalai Lama's Essay: The Role Of Religion In Modern Society

Related Topics

Open Document