Publication
Imprint: Boston : Mariner Books/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. Context: Followup work to Ethics for a New Millennium. Edition: First Mariner Books edition. Responsibility: H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama. Physical: Text : 1 volume : xv, 188 pages : illustrations, map ; 21 cm.
Call number
Precepts / Dalai #14
ISBN
9780547844282
Original publication date
2011
Collections
CSS Library Notes
Description: Over twenty years ago, in the best-selling Ethics for a New Millennium, His Holiness the Dalai Lama first proposed an approach to ethics based on universal rather than religious principles. With Beyond Religion, the Dalai Lama, he returns to the conversation at his most outspoken, elaborating and deepening his vision for the nonreligious way -- a path to lead an ethical, happy and spiritual life. Transcending the “religion wars,” he outlines a system of ethics for our shared world, one that makes a stirring appeal for a deep appreciation of our common humanity, offering us all a road map for improving human life on individual, community, and golbal levels. -- from back cover
Table of Contents: Introduction
PART I : A new vision of secular ethics
Rethinking secularism
Our common humanity
The quest for happiness
Compassion, the foundation of well-being
Compassion and the question of justice
The role of discernment
Ethics in our shared world
PART II : Educating the heart through training the mind
Introduction: Starting with oneself
Ethical mindfulness in everyday life
Dealing with destructive emotions
Cultivating key inner values
Meditation as mental cultivation
Afterword
FY2022 /
Table of Contents: Introduction
PART I : A new vision of secular ethics
Rethinking secularism
Our common humanity
The quest for happiness
Compassion, the foundation of well-being
Compassion and the question of justice
The role of discernment
Ethics in our shared world
PART II : Educating the heart through training the mind
Introduction: Starting with oneself
Ethical mindfulness in everyday life
Dealing with destructive emotions
Cultivating key inner values
Meditation as mental cultivation
Afterword
FY2022 /
Physical description
xv, 188 p.; 21 cm
Description
A follow-up to the best-selling "Ethics for a new millennium" outlines a system of secular ethics that both transcends religion and incorporates religious tolerance for the overall improvement of human life on individual, community and global levels, offering an accompanying guided meditation practice for cultivating key human values.
Language
Original language
English
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User reviews
LibraryThing member gwoodrow
Really amazing. Most of the other reviews on here already hit the nail on the head in terms of the specifics of content, so I'll just add my brief $0.02. If you've read a lot of HHDL's previous writings you won't find a whole lot of very new thoughts. However, if you're looking for somewhere gentle
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to start then this is the book to go for. It's shorter and more succinct that some of his other works while also conveying many of the core messages well. Show Less
LibraryThing member FredJacobsen
In reading Beyond Religion – Ethics for a Whole World by Tibet’s Dalai Lama, I was reminded of how I was influenced by one of the final scenes of the 1937 Frank Capra film Lost Horizon. The main character, played by Ronald Coleman goes to the dying High Lama, played by Sam Jaffe who revels that
Most modern behavior modification programs, whether for anger management, dealing with drug use or eating disorders, have as a basic premise that through changing your actions, your thought processes will change. Becoming aware of your destructive behaviors, even before they occur, is just one tool to help you substitute constructive behaviors instead. That new behavior then becomes over time, a new habit.
All humans are the same in that each of us wants to be happy and avoid suffering. It is important to first recognize that others around us also want these same things for themselves. But it is through our really caring enough about others, that will help us choose to act for their benefit. Whenever we do, we benefit as well.
Beyond Religion suggests that finding inner peace and happiness within ourselves also then allows us to become more compassionate to the needs of others. To that end, part two of the book is devoted to “Educating the heart through training the mind”. Chapters are devoted to exercises in mediation that anyone can do in order to gain control over runaway emotions and replacing them with positive, constructive behavior. In other words, we CAN learn to be kind to ourselves while we also learn to be kind to others.
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the secret for a long and happy life is to simply “be kind”. It is this implied Brotherhood of Man, which is fundamental to all major religions; yet transcends religion. Beyond Religion is about becoming more aware of how our words, thoughts and actions can affect the well-being of those around us. It is about “building a more compassionate and more peaceful world”.Most modern behavior modification programs, whether for anger management, dealing with drug use or eating disorders, have as a basic premise that through changing your actions, your thought processes will change. Becoming aware of your destructive behaviors, even before they occur, is just one tool to help you substitute constructive behaviors instead. That new behavior then becomes over time, a new habit.
All humans are the same in that each of us wants to be happy and avoid suffering. It is important to first recognize that others around us also want these same things for themselves. But it is through our really caring enough about others, that will help us choose to act for their benefit. Whenever we do, we benefit as well.
Beyond Religion suggests that finding inner peace and happiness within ourselves also then allows us to become more compassionate to the needs of others. To that end, part two of the book is devoted to “Educating the heart through training the mind”. Chapters are devoted to exercises in mediation that anyone can do in order to gain control over runaway emotions and replacing them with positive, constructive behavior. In other words, we CAN learn to be kind to ourselves while we also learn to be kind to others.
Show Less
LibraryThing member streamsong
In the first half of this book, the Dalai Lama puts forth a very interesting discussion of secular ethics. He believes that externally-imposed, religion-based ethics are on the wane. Instead, he suggests that people need to adopt a system of internal ethics based on our recognition of each
The second half of the book is a series of mindfulness meditation exercises designed to help people focus on their emotions and be able to tap into their compassion. This section is very basic. The meditation exercises are, of course, based on Buddhist exercises, but given the book’s theme of ‘Beyond Religion’ they are explained in secular terms.
I found the Dalai Lama’s philosophy of ethics to be very interesting especially given my strictly Judeo-Christian ethics background. There was much to consider, and I’m sure I’ll be re-reading and referring to this section of the book. The second section, including the mindfulness exercises did not have much new material if you have other experience with meditation practice, but would be useful to newcomers.
The Dalai Lama states that he has taught secular ethics worldwide and has written this book in response to questions of how to teach these concepts. I can see this book being especially useful for teachers wanting to introduce secular ethics and mindfulness exercises into their classrooms
The entire book is highly readable with a beautifully clear style that really connects the reader with the Dalai Lama’s vision of a better society through the personal growth of individuals.
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other’s humanity. Once we recognize that all humans desire love and the absence of suffering, we can connect to each other on this most basic human level and formulate a system of ethics based upon compassion. He demonstrates how such a system includes not only compassion, but justice.The second half of the book is a series of mindfulness meditation exercises designed to help people focus on their emotions and be able to tap into their compassion. This section is very basic. The meditation exercises are, of course, based on Buddhist exercises, but given the book’s theme of ‘Beyond Religion’ they are explained in secular terms.
I found the Dalai Lama’s philosophy of ethics to be very interesting especially given my strictly Judeo-Christian ethics background. There was much to consider, and I’m sure I’ll be re-reading and referring to this section of the book. The second section, including the mindfulness exercises did not have much new material if you have other experience with meditation practice, but would be useful to newcomers.
The Dalai Lama states that he has taught secular ethics worldwide and has written this book in response to questions of how to teach these concepts. I can see this book being especially useful for teachers wanting to introduce secular ethics and mindfulness exercises into their classrooms
The entire book is highly readable with a beautifully clear style that really connects the reader with the Dalai Lama’s vision of a better society through the personal growth of individuals.
Show Less
LibraryThing member seidchen
'Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World' has sprung from what seems to be H.H. the Dalai Lama's commitment to fostering compassion as widely as possible--in this instance, beyond Buddhists and even individuals who identify as religious. Written in a straightforward, colloquial voice with
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characteristic good humor, this book opens in its first half a broad discussion of secular ethics grounded in human nature. The second half offers advice--some a bit abstract, but some direct and pragmatic--on building or sustaining a regular practice of compassion. I worry a bit that assuming this must be done through formal meditation practices may be too far outside the norm for many who haven't decided to cultivate mindfulness, but the broad, embracing vision of this book is likely to interest many individuals from a variety of backgrounds. Show Less
LibraryThing member kurvanas
This is a very nice, brief collection from His Holiness that is best summed up by paraphrasing from the book itself: People cannot live without the dignity we all deserve as humans. Though technically a furtherance of his seminal work Ethics for a New Millennium, it is a stand alone, crystal-clear
This is a succinct, gentle reminder that simple empathy and compassion go a long way towards healing all that ails the world. The book tunes out the white-noise of our hectic lives. It cuts through confusion. The lesson is easy. Despite the ever-turning wheel of material/technological/political change, simple guidelines for simply improving life are easy to follow.
Of course the sticking to them is the hard part. But this book is full of reminders about how to stay on the path. One of my favorite (and I think most important) prompts was his call to always educate future generations. It is our responsibility and should be our chief priority. This book is a good start in teaching "ethics for a whole world."
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guidebook for embracing the post-religious world.This is a succinct, gentle reminder that simple empathy and compassion go a long way towards healing all that ails the world. The book tunes out the white-noise of our hectic lives. It cuts through confusion. The lesson is easy. Despite the ever-turning wheel of material/technological/political change, simple guidelines for simply improving life are easy to follow.
Of course the sticking to them is the hard part. But this book is full of reminders about how to stay on the path. One of my favorite (and I think most important) prompts was his call to always educate future generations. It is our responsibility and should be our chief priority. This book is a good start in teaching "ethics for a whole world."
Show Less
LibraryThing member Bidwell-Glaze
This book, Beyond Religion, speaks from the Eastern values and words causing me to re-think the words; secular to include those who have faith; and mental to include the heart; and so many other definitions. I am grateful for the way the author defines the words he uses the first time he does so,
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in a way that causes me to think, and not to feel condescended to. I had not considered the ideal of compassion being the foundation for my own happiness, although it made me happy to be able to help others. This book gave me the tools to help me create in myself the kind of person I want to be. Show Less
LibraryThing member frellingtralk
His Holiness uses this book, Beyond Religion, to further three basic premises. First, one does not have to be religious to be ethical. Second, one does not have to be religious in order to practice meditation. Third, meditation fosters the clarity and self-discipline that are necessary in order to
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live an ethical life. He goes on to argue that meditation should be included as part of formal ethical training in public schools because modern school systems are no longer tied to religious institutions, and so do not inculcate their students into a set of religious norms. Even if they did no single religion is a good fit for all 7 billion people alive today. The result is that, absent formal ethical training, people are adopting consumer capitalism as their default ethical system. This has dire implications for the health of the global ecology and for our ability to relate to one another compassionately. The first half of the book is spent making the case for the existence of and need for secular ethics. The second half is an introduction to meditation practice and an explanation of its benefits for the individual and for society. Both are written simply and warmly, which is amazing considering the complexity of the topic and the delicacy with which the subject must be handled. Ultimately, I found this book to be a very engaging paradox. Here is a man whose public identity is inseparable with a non-theistic religion making the case to both atheists and theists that for the good of the species mindfulness meditation should be included in public education. Skeptical atheists will likely question the value of listening to a person whose formal title is "His Holiness" and dogmatic theists will likely object to the notion of an ethical system outside of revelation. If they can get past these preconceptions and actually pick up the book they will find it to be a very unassuming, cogent and charming attempt at addressing how to deal with the breathtaking greed that seems so characteristic of our age. No matter what your preferred cosmology, I strongly encourage you to engage with this book. Even if your conclusions wind up differing from the author's you'll be richer for the encounter. Show Less
LibraryThing member susiebrooks
Without a doubt the best book written by the Dalai Lama, so far. I really didn't want to finish Beyond Religion and now that I have, I feel the need to read it again. I recognise that I have a tremendous lack of tolerance for religion and those who profess to be devoutly anything. This book came
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into my life at a very good time and I highly recommend it. I can not imagine anyone not benefiting from what His Holiness has to share. His acceptance is inspiring. Show Less
LibraryThing member renrav
I am a big fan of the Dali Lama and picked this up for free a while ago. As a humanist I thought I would enjoy it.
I did enjoy the beginning, but after that it dragged on a fair amount. Since it was an audiobook I can't really skip that. I think I would enjoy reading the actual book and hopefully I
Also now I keep thinking the Dali Lama sounds like Martin Sheen.
I did enjoy the beginning, but after that it dragged on a fair amount. Since it was an audiobook I can't really skip that. I think I would enjoy reading the actual book and hopefully I
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will at some point.Also now I keep thinking the Dali Lama sounds like Martin Sheen.
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LibraryThing member uufnn
Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama has written a book that, as the title proclaims, goes beyond religion. From the dust jacket: "Transcending the mere "religion wars," he outlines a system of ethics for our shared world, one that gives full respect to religion. With the highest
Beyond Religion is an essential statement from the Dalai Lama, a blueprint for all those who may choose not to identify with a religious tradition, yet still yearn for a life of spiritual fulfillment as they work for a better world.
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level of spiritual and intellectual authority, the Dalai Lama makes a stirring appeal for what he calls a 'third way,' a path to an ethical and happy life and to a global human community based on understanding and mutual respect.Beyond Religion is an essential statement from the Dalai Lama, a blueprint for all those who may choose not to identify with a religious tradition, yet still yearn for a life of spiritual fulfillment as they work for a better world.
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LibraryThing member greggchadwick
Three books published in the last few years should be on every peacemaker's bookshelf: Steven Pinker's "The Better Angels of Our Nature", Michael Shermer's "The Moral Arc", and the Dalai Lama's "Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World". These three volumes begin with the premise that global
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violence on an historical timeline is not getting worse and that humanity is generally good. Turn the nightly news on today, or scan the latest headlines on your iPhone, and it would seem that the world grows uglier each day. Pinker's book successfully argues that the past was a much more brutal time. Shermer argues that because of the Enlightenment, thinkers consciously applied the methods of science to morally solve social struggles and that again, on an historical timeline, humanity is in the most moral period in history. The Dalai Lama makes it clear in "Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World" that an individual does not have to be religious to be ethical. Love and compassion are necessities for living. Compassion expresses deep sensitivity to the sufferings of others and a fierce drive to help alleviate those sufferings. Compassion is also the realization that we - human beings, animals, and the earth itself - are all interconnected. Show Less
LibraryThing member Amelia_Smith
I wanted more from this book. It's philosophically/theologically sound, and I agree with the basic premise, but it still read like a book about Tibetan Buddhism. I think it would be accessible to members of other religious traditions, and to non-religious people, but it didn't break new ground for
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me. Show Less
LibraryThing member MartinBodek
I sincerely enjoyed reading about the cultivation of specific human traits from a non-dogmatic persepctive. I have always rejected the notion that a deity is necessary for mankind to avoid that which is harmful to us along numerous plains of the human experience. The author takes his time
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discussing particular traits, positive and negative, in simple terms, using metaphor only when needed. As with other books I've read by Tibetan monks, I agree with about 92% of the philosophy and disagree with the rest. The author seems to rush through one point that I wish he'd taken a bit longer to explain: that of capital punishment and revenge. His conclusion was too quick, especially in the face of strong counter-arguments. Perhaps there *is* closure, and no cycle of violence, when an gross offender's life is taken in return for a crime. Explore that from the victim's perspective please, a bit more. The discussion was ended too quickly. Another unanswered question is: how do we know based on our emotions, whether to give expression to a natural urge or to quash it? This isn't clear to me. On what rationalistic reasoning is this based? I am more used to the concept of channeling all emotions, rather than supressing it, which is beyond a monumental task, which the Dalai Lama seeme to think could come with ease. Not so. No matter the content in the book, I must always keep in mind with a dash of salt that desire to monks is expressed for the layman as a wish for chocolate cake, rather than, oh, I dunno, sex? Show Less
LibraryThing member bicyclewriter
This is a really tremendous little book. If a person is absolutely positive that one particular "brand" of religion has all the correct answers, then this is probably not a book for them. But for anyone who has questions and searches for peace within the questions, this book is a great one.
LibraryThing member shaunesay
Much food for thought in this scary time where it seems like people spend less and less time on the contemplation of harmony and conservation and react violently over the smallest detail, screaming that they are being repressed when they are in fact doing the repressing. Sadly the people who need
The message is wonderful, promoting compassion and intelligent thinking at the individual level to in turn effect change on a greater scale.
"It is my hope that this will be a century of peace, a century of dialogue -- a century when more caring, responsible, and compassionate humanity will emerge."
This is my hope too. But on the evening after another mass shooting in our country, I have to say, I am saddened and discouraged by my fellow humans, and what we're allowing to pass. I can only hope that there are others like myself, who want peace and harmony, and that by striving to better myself, the greater change the Dalai Lama hopes will follow, truly comes to pass.
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this message the most are those that wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole, simply by seeing the Dalai Lama on the cover.The message is wonderful, promoting compassion and intelligent thinking at the individual level to in turn effect change on a greater scale.
"It is my hope that this will be a century of peace, a century of dialogue -- a century when more caring, responsible, and compassionate humanity will emerge."
This is my hope too. But on the evening after another mass shooting in our country, I have to say, I am saddened and discouraged by my fellow humans, and what we're allowing to pass. I can only hope that there are others like myself, who want peace and harmony, and that by striving to better myself, the greater change the Dalai Lama hopes will follow, truly comes to pass.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jamestomasino
A solid argument for ethics expanding beyond religious boundaries. The case for inner values bore heavy similarities to stoicism, which peaked my interest. The Dalai Lama is a very good philosopher and his genuine interest in science and deeply compassionate nature make the journey through this
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book a joy. Show Less