His Holiness Dalai Lama on Achieving World Peace

World Peace—have we made progress?

His Holiness Dalai Lama acknowledges that we are overwhelmed, “When we rise in the morning and listen to the radio or read the newspaper, we are confronted with the same sad news: violence, crime, wars, and disasters. I cannot recall a single day without a report of something terrible happening somewhere. Even in these modern times it is clear that one's precious life is not safe. No former generation has had to experience so much bad news as we face today; this constant awareness of fear and tension should make any sensitive and compassionate person question seriously the progress of our modern world.”

We are industrially and technically advanced; we are educated and literate; yet we continue to suffer restlessness, discontent, and feelings of anxiety.  We are surrounded by living masters, but we lack joy.

Our Beloved Lama notes, “We can only conclude that there must be something seriously wrong with our progress and development, and if we do not check it in time there could be disastrous consequences for the future of humanity. I am not at all against science and technology—they have contributed immensely to the overall experience of humankind, to our material comfort and well-being and to our greater understanding of the world we live in. But if we give too much emphasis to science and technology we are in danger of losing touch with those aspects of human knowledge and understanding that aspire towards honesty and altruism.”

What more could we do?  The Embodiment of Compassion explains, “In order to bring about this great adjustment, we need to revive our humanitarian values.” 

Maybe we need to be more public in our practice.  We could write blogs, editorials, articles, even share uplifting news on social networks. What’s more we might give talks on regional radio and TV stations where talk-show hosts are generally in need of guests. We don’t have to be political or well-known to do this volunteer work.  We only need to love deeply.

Tenzin Gyatso, 14^th incarnation of Dalai Lama says, “We must remember that the different religions, ideologies, and political systems of the world are meant for human beings to achieve happiness. We must not lose sight of this fundamental goal and at no time should we place means above ends; the supremacy of humanity over matter and ideology must always be maintained.

If you are not the “public-speaking” type, there is much peace work to do behind the scenes.  Nature offers opportunities to serve. “Whether they belong to more evolved species like humans or to simpler ones such as animals, all beings primarily seek peace, comfort, and security,” the Great Bodhisattwa says.  “Life is as dear to the mute animal as it is to any human being; even the simplest insect strives for protection from dangers that threaten its life. Just as each one of us wants to live and does not wish to die, so it is with all other creatures in the universe….”