The Dalai Lama; One of the most evil men on Earth?

[rossum]

Morality without the why, bugs me…

Buddhism has both a morality and a why. The Buddhist ‘why’ differs from the Christian ‘why’ but it nevertheless still exists:* actions have consequences.

• if you want the consequences then do the actions.
• if you don’t want the consequences then don’t do the actions.

The Buddha tells us what actions have what consequences.

I’ve seen too many atheists who’ve fallen away who used to be Catholic but were lacking or clearly missing some sense of morality, mull about becoming Buddhists because it’s easier since they still need validation for their moral compass, but don’t quite know why they want to still do good.

Buddhism is not easier, it is more difficult than Christianity. There is no forgiveness of sins in Buddhism, if you do the crime then you do the time:Mind precedes all conditions,
mind is their chief, they are mind-made.
If you speak or act with an evil mind then suffering will follow you,
as the wheel follows the draught ox.

Mind precedes all conditions,
mind is their chief, they are mind-made.
If you speak or act with a pure mind then happiness will follow you,
as a shadow that never leaves.

Dhammapada 1:1-2
There are no “Get Out of Hell Free” cards in Buddhism. That is why mindfulness is a virtue in Buddhism - we need to consider carefully before we act because we cannot undo what we have done after the event.

Oh, and a minor point from your post #275:

Llama:


Lama:
http://blogs.yogajournal.com/cityblog/dalai-lama-10-07-lg.jpg

Dalai Llama:




rossum

 

[wingsofmentis]

If you want him to say “Buddhism is the only way,” would you become a buddhist? You want him to say a religion OTHER than your own is the ONLY way? I beleive this man is a very wise man, and with many issues (especially sexual) his teachings are very similer to the church’s. He opposes abortion, gay marriage, I think (not sure) birth control, masturbation (I think also) and sodomy. Although many of his basic beliefs are different than the church’s, he should still be respected and the beliefs that do agree with our own we should hold as true and holy.

 

[Yin_Chan]

Hello,

I believe the Dalai Lama is a good man. A holy man. Not because he is Buddhist but because of his actions. He has always preached non violence even when his people in his homeland face some horrible atrocities at the hands of the Chinese government. You may not believe everything he believes in but he is no Richard Dawkins.

Buddhist are not necessarily atheists. What I think people miss about Buddhism is, Buddhists believe that conceptions about any belief can become misconceptions. (and most likely are misconceptions.) That is why Zen Buddhists have all kinds of funny statements like
“If you see the Buddha on the road, kill him!” (kill your misconceptions of the Buddha or of Buddhahood)
“Like a man looking into a lake and confusing the reflection of the moon on water for the moon.”
A theist sees the glass of water half full. The atheists sees the glass half empty. The Buddhist just sees just the glass with water in it and puts no distinction what it means to be half empty or half full.

Yin Chan

 

[peary]

I’m going to see the Dalai Lama speak in July. I’m frustrated. I want to admire him, so much. He’s a monk, he’s a social revolutionary and a prominent proponent of non-violence. There’s one problem though, he’s a Buddhist. Buddhism makes me angry, mainly because it is the only major religion that denies God. I would have so much more respect for him if he said, “Buddhism is the only way. You cannot lead a productive life or reach Nirvana unless you are a Buddhist.” He could at least side with the other religions, but instead he tells people to avoid organized religion, and insists that religion is subordinate to science. He says religion and faith are unneccesary, and don’t even get me started on his ethics. I want to love the man, but he’s basically the Pope of liberals. He represents “spirituality” with our religious obligation. “Faith? Don’t need it! Buddha? Unneccesary! Religion? Fugedabout’it! Just be nice to other people, and be happy!” Which leads me to ask the question, other atheists showed themselves as the monsters they truly were. What about this atheist? He champions secular ethics while denying God! So, does that make him even more evil than Stalin or Mao? Is he truly one of the most evil men alive?

Wow, you certainly covered quite a few points here! His official website actually answers all of your questions as some of them seem to be confusing to you:

dalailama.com/