Dalai Lama on inclusivism ~ 1

Dalai Lama on inclusivism

Dalai Lama - the Buddhist spiritual leader of Tibetin peoples. The present leader is Tenzin Gyatso. The office dates from the 15th century. Is it possible for Christianity & Buddhism to

be integrated? Yes - they can exist side by side with no

conflict No - it is not possible to create some sort

of composite religion made up of Christianity & Buddhism

Dalai Lama on inclusivism ~ 2

Dalai Lama on inclusivism

There are some commonalities between all of the major religions All the major world religions are

directed at the achievement of permanent human happiness.

All teach that religious persons must strive to become better human beings (536).

Dalai Lama on inclusivism ~ 3

Dalai Lama on inclusivism

But there are also differences Judaism, Christianity, & Islam hold that

God is the creator of all Buddhism - the universe does not have a

first cause; hence it does not have a creator; and there is no permanent, primordially pure being (536).

But the purpose of these doctrines is to become better human persons and to find happiness. This is shared by Christianity & Buddhism.

Dalai Lama on inclusivism ~ 4

Dalai Lama on inclusivism

The variety of world religions is good; there is beauty in variety.

Should we try to convert members of other religons? No. We should advise them to follow

their own paths as sincerely & truthfully as possible (537).

He closes with a touch of exclusivism: liberation in the Buddhist sense is explained only in the Buddhist scriptures & achieved only in Buddhist practice (538).