It is possible to look at some of the current Buddhist leaders who are also involved in inter-religious activities in the following website:
http://www.elijah-interfaith.org/798/
Dalai Lama, the Tibetan leader, perhaps, is the most popular living Buddhist leader.
Norman Fischer, a Soto school Zen Buddhist has been well known not only for his contribution to Zen Buddhism in North America but also for his contribution toward inter religious dialogue!
Both these men promoted inter-faith dialogue! And you will notice that neither of them jealously guarded their form of Buddhism or religion! Buddha once said it will be foolish to carry your yacht on your head wherever you go because that little boat has helped you to cross that river! Buddha also said when my finger points to the moon don’t look at my finger! Buddhism, I suppose all religions, point to something beyond! Religions are windows to look beyond!
A. Dalai Lama
http://www.elijah-interfaith.org/798/
Dalai Lama, the Tibetan leader, perhaps, is the most popular living Buddhist leader.
Norman Fischer, a Soto school Zen Buddhist has been well known not only for his contribution to Zen Buddhism in North America but also for his contribution toward inter religious dialogue!
Both these men promoted inter-faith dialogue! And you will notice that neither of them jealously guarded their form of Buddhism or religion! Buddha once said it will be foolish to carry your yacht on your head wherever you go because that little boat has helped you to cross that river! Buddha also said when my finger points to the moon don’t look at my finger! Buddhism, I suppose all religions, point to something beyond! Religions are windows to look beyond!
A. Dalai Lama
1. His Holiness the 14th the Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso, is the head of state and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. He was born in 1935 in a village in Tibet. He was recognized at the age of two as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, and thus an incarnation Avalokitesvara, the Buddha of Compassion. People consider him to be compassionate person and an ocean of wisdom.
2. He began his education at the age of six and completed the equivalent of Doctorate of Buddhist Philosophy when he was 25 in 1959.
3. In 1950 Dalai Lama was called upon to assume full political power. His efforts to bring about a peaceful solution to Sino-Tibetan conflict did not succeed. Tibetan uprisings in 1959 were brutally crushed by the Chinese army. Dalai Lama along with many thousands went as refugees to India where he had remained in exile.
4. According to some reports there are more than 120,000 Tibetans in exile and Dalai Lama has resided in Dharmasala, India since 1960.
5. In 1963 Dalai Lama promulgated a democratic constitution, based on Buddhist principles and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a model for a future free Tibet. So there is a government of Tibet in exile!
6. Much discussions have gone and nothing has been resolved. However, in 1989 the Norwegian Nobel Committee's decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Dalai Lama won worldwide praise and applause. The Committee at this point emphasized the fact that “the Dalai Lama in his struggle for the liberation of Tibet consistently has opposed the use of violence. He has instead advocated peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people." In his remarks Dalai Lama said, "The prize reaffirms our conviction that with truth, courage and determination as our weapons, Tibet will be liberated. Our struggle must remain non-violent and free of hatred." In all this Dalai Lama considers himself as a simple Buddhist monk living in a small cottage!
7. It is believed that he has travelled to more than 62 meeting with dignatries of various countries and conversations with heads of religions and scientists. He also has received over 84 awards, honorary doctorates, prizes and so one in recognition of his message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion. According to an account Dalai Lama has written more than 72 books!
8. Here are some of well known quotes of Dalai Lama:
a. “All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, which is love, compassion and forgiveness."
b. “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”
c. “If you have a particular faith or religion, that is good. But you can survive without it.”
d. “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”
e. “Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.”
f. “There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness.”
g. “We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.”
B. Norman Fischer
1. Norman Fischer is a poet and a Zen Buddhist priest. He has taught, for many years, at the San Francisco Zen Centre. He is presently a Senior Dharma Teacher there. He is also the founder and spiritual director of the Everyday Zen Foundation, an organization that attempts to adapt Zen Buddhist teachings to the Western culture.
2. His Zen teaching promotes openness and common sense spirituality. He emphasises on a willingness to let go of everything, including Zen.
3. Fischer’s poetry collections include the following: The Narrow Roads of Japan (1998), Success (2000), Slowly But Dearly (2004), and I Was Blown Back (2005).
4. Fischer’s books include his Opening to You: Zen-inspired Translations of the Psalms (2002) and Taking Our Places: the Buddhist Path to Truly Growing Up (2003).
5. He, born in Pennsylvania, and educated in Creative Writing and Phenomenology of Religion, lives in California with his wife Kathie and they have twin sons Aron and Noah.
6. Quotes from Fischer:
a. “We all need to have a creative outlet - a window, a space - so we don't lose track of ourselves.”
b. “I myself try to cultivate the open space of gratitude every day. And when I feel it- grateful for my own body, grateful for the clouds and sky, grateful for my family and my teachers and for the teaching of Buddha- I know that my spiritual health is in order. When I don’t feel it, I understand that I am off, and I try to right myself. …Gratitude is something very profound.”
Questions to Explore:
1. Write a letter to your friend – use a letter format – the importance of the Zen to improve the quality of his life as it has done to you.
2. Write a letter to your friend – use a letter format – commending Dalai Lama’s teachings.
2. He began his education at the age of six and completed the equivalent of Doctorate of Buddhist Philosophy when he was 25 in 1959.
3. In 1950 Dalai Lama was called upon to assume full political power. His efforts to bring about a peaceful solution to Sino-Tibetan conflict did not succeed. Tibetan uprisings in 1959 were brutally crushed by the Chinese army. Dalai Lama along with many thousands went as refugees to India where he had remained in exile.
4. According to some reports there are more than 120,000 Tibetans in exile and Dalai Lama has resided in Dharmasala, India since 1960.
5. In 1963 Dalai Lama promulgated a democratic constitution, based on Buddhist principles and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a model for a future free Tibet. So there is a government of Tibet in exile!
6. Much discussions have gone and nothing has been resolved. However, in 1989 the Norwegian Nobel Committee's decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Dalai Lama won worldwide praise and applause. The Committee at this point emphasized the fact that “the Dalai Lama in his struggle for the liberation of Tibet consistently has opposed the use of violence. He has instead advocated peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people." In his remarks Dalai Lama said, "The prize reaffirms our conviction that with truth, courage and determination as our weapons, Tibet will be liberated. Our struggle must remain non-violent and free of hatred." In all this Dalai Lama considers himself as a simple Buddhist monk living in a small cottage!
7. It is believed that he has travelled to more than 62 meeting with dignatries of various countries and conversations with heads of religions and scientists. He also has received over 84 awards, honorary doctorates, prizes and so one in recognition of his message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion. According to an account Dalai Lama has written more than 72 books!
8. Here are some of well known quotes of Dalai Lama:
a. “All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, which is love, compassion and forgiveness."
b. “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”
c. “If you have a particular faith or religion, that is good. But you can survive without it.”
d. “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”
e. “Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.”
f. “There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness.”
g. “We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.”
B. Norman Fischer
1. Norman Fischer is a poet and a Zen Buddhist priest. He has taught, for many years, at the San Francisco Zen Centre. He is presently a Senior Dharma Teacher there. He is also the founder and spiritual director of the Everyday Zen Foundation, an organization that attempts to adapt Zen Buddhist teachings to the Western culture.
2. His Zen teaching promotes openness and common sense spirituality. He emphasises on a willingness to let go of everything, including Zen.
3. Fischer’s poetry collections include the following: The Narrow Roads of Japan (1998), Success (2000), Slowly But Dearly (2004), and I Was Blown Back (2005).
4. Fischer’s books include his Opening to You: Zen-inspired Translations of the Psalms (2002) and Taking Our Places: the Buddhist Path to Truly Growing Up (2003).
5. He, born in Pennsylvania, and educated in Creative Writing and Phenomenology of Religion, lives in California with his wife Kathie and they have twin sons Aron and Noah.
6. Quotes from Fischer:
a. “We all need to have a creative outlet - a window, a space - so we don't lose track of ourselves.”
b. “I myself try to cultivate the open space of gratitude every day. And when I feel it- grateful for my own body, grateful for the clouds and sky, grateful for my family and my teachers and for the teaching of Buddha- I know that my spiritual health is in order. When I don’t feel it, I understand that I am off, and I try to right myself. …Gratitude is something very profound.”
Questions to Explore:
1. Write a letter to your friend – use a letter format – the importance of the Zen to improve the quality of his life as it has done to you.
2. Write a letter to your friend – use a letter format – commending Dalai Lama’s teachings.
