“Compassion and concern for others are the key to human survival. People with no interest in religion sometimes disregard qualities like patience and compassion, which they associate with religious practice. In fact, they are relevant to anyone who wishes to live a happy life.”
~ Dalai Lama
8
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11 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Wouldn't patience and compassion be tied to empathy? which is said to be an evolutionary trait rather than a religious quality?
demifeministgal
Level 8
Sep 10, 2019
0
One of the things that seems to characterize religious people is the belief that humans aren't capable of Humanity, like compassion or patience, without the threat of eternal damnation or the enlightenment of their inspired leader.
BitFlipper
Level 8
Sep 8, 2019
1
[en.m.wikipedia.org] affirming the consequent. "If the lamp is broken the room will be dark", does not mean, "if the room is dark, the lamp must be broken". Also "there are non-religious people who are xyzbad" does not mean "people who are xyzbad are non-religious"
MarkiusMahamius
Level 7
Sep 8, 2019
1
In my mind, these are qualities that should be taught by every religion.
BitFlipper
Level 8
Sep 8, 2019
2
Dali Lama did not seek military liberation for his invaded country lacking compassion for his overwhelmed and murdered defenders from Chinese killers yet he is praised by many....Dr Assad defeated USA invaders to Syria and most Americans believe the lies against the leader of his country
GreenAtheist
Level 8
Sep 8, 2019
0
"This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness." - The Dalai Lama
The Buddha did not teach religion; although, there are Buddhists who act as if the Buddha was a god. Although the Dali Lama is the leader of Tibetan Buddhism, he doesn't seem to believe in a god, IMO.
"If science proves some belief of Buddhism wrong, then Buddhists will have to change. - The Dalai Lama
EdEarl
Level 8
Sep 7, 2019
3
Just depends on your definition of “religion.” The Dalai Lama refers to Buddhism as religion, and most scholarly accounts include it in the list of world religions.
@skado Agree the definition of religion is important to understanding his words. I do not claim to be an expert on Buddhism or The Dalai Lama, but have read enough to know know Buddhism and Christianity are very different. Moreover, the way people practice their religion often differs from its teaching.
I am agnostic atheist, and do not worship any religion. On the other hand, I think The Dalai Lama is a good person. He was a toddler when hired for his position, almost like an inheritance. Many monarchs are tyrants; he is not. IMO that is worth some respect.
People with no interest in religion sometimes disregard qualities like patience and compassion, which they associate with religious practice
Oh bullshit. Religious or not, people disregard patience and compassion because it's advantageous them to do so at the time, not because they think "what would an <insert religion of choice here> follower do?". They're just assholes, or they use religion as the excuse to disregard patience and compassion, because they're assholes.
1of5
Level 8
Sep 7, 2019
4
What really pisses me off is when I'm in a really difficult situation and my christian Facebook "friends" send me prayers. I don't want your fucking prayers, I want to meet you for a coffee and talk with a real person in real life !!!
1of5:
@Nathalie_Quebec absolutely! Next time they need something from you, send them this
Wise man and compassionate
bobwjr
Level 10
Sep 7, 2019
3
Not a big fan of this guy. One does not have to be religious to be patient and compassionate. In fact the opposite is often true, since religion sets you apart and as better than those not of your religion in a them against us tribal mentality.
Killtheskyfairy
Level 9
Sep 7, 2019
3
That’s really what he’s saying here. “In fact, they are relevant to anyone who wishes to live a happy life.” Tribalism doesn’t come from religion. It comes from our evolved nature, and it’s one of the traits religion, in its uncorrupted form, was designed to correct. Whoever is patient and compassionate with people who are not kin or close associates are, by default, practicing authentic religion.
@skado Tribalism illustrated.
@Killtheskyfairy
Yep, that’s it exactly. It poisons everything; not just religion.
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