Ancient Wisdom, Modern World: Ethics for the New Millennium - Softcover

Dalai Lama, His Holiness The; Norman, Alexander

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0349114439 ISBN 13: 9780349114439

Publisher: Abacus, 2001

Synopsis

At a time and in a culture where science and technology have taken over from religious belief, when ethics are understood primarily in terms of aesthetic choice or legality, how are we to formulate moral principles to guide us in our daily lives?

Though religion can certainly help in this, the Dalai Lama demonstrates that there are universal principles we can draw on which transcend the dilemma of belief or unbelief. And whilst many have been content to speak of spiritual matters as something mysterious or evanescent, the Dalai Lama explains his approach in terms that are as clear and concise as they are compelling.

With wit, gentle good sense and with penetrating insight, the Dalai Lama shows how the truths that have stood the test of generations of practise can provide us with the tools to live happy, fulfilled and meaningful lives. In the process, it becomes apparent that he does not merely espouse the 'feelgood' religiosity some accuse him of. The reader is left admiring not just the wisdom of the author, but the wisdom of the culture he represents.

About this title

Review:

Is it possible to have a workable ethical system without the underpinning of religion? This is a question the Dalai Lama addresses in this very readable book. The two aims we all have in common, whatever our religion, are the pursuit of happiness and the avoidance of suffering. Throughout the book the Dalai Lama emphasises that we are not moral islands; we have a responsibility for others. The more we seek to increase the happiness and decrease the suffering of others, the more, ultimately, we will also benefit ourselves. This applies in all areas of life. "Thus when we commit ourselves to truth--and thereby to honesty--we help reduce the level of misunderstanding, doubt and fear throughout society. In a small but significant way, we create the conditions for a happy world."

As might be expected, the Dalai Lama draws illustrations from his own life as the spiritual leader and as a refugee from Tibet, and from the stories of other Tibetan Buddhist monks. But he is at pains to point out that this is not a Buddhist book and that he has no desire to convert anyone else to his faith. His answer to the dichotomy of the unique demands of individual religions in a world of religious pluralism is that for each of us, there is one religion which suits our upbringing or temperament best--or even none at all. The teachings of this book are universal. It's a shame that for this book, by one of the world's foremost spiritual leaders, the publishers clearly didn't bother to proof-read the text, which is quite badly marred by grammatical and punctuation errors. Let's hope they tidy up for the paperback. --David V. Barrett

Review:

Invaluable ... A blueprint for an ethical way of life (DAILY TELEGRAPH)

This is a book for our time (IRELAND ON SUNDAY)

All the qualities he proposes are achievable and are things we could practice daily by showing just a little thought ... A clearly written and straightforward book which, I think, achieves its purpose of approaching ethics based on universal rather than religious principles (SPECTATOR)

A clearly written and straightforward book... If we could only follow the Dalai Lama's advice to the world for a new millenium and cultivate a commitment to the principle of universal responsibility and experiment with unconditional love, not only would we (SPECTATOR)

About this edition

• Publisher: Abacus
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0349114439
• ISBN 13: 9780349114439
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256