Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World
His Holiness The Dalai Lama
2014
Harper Collins
pp. 188
If you have ever been curious about what HH has to say or if you wonder how things can be unified when the world is so fractured, then this book is something you can begin with. It is written in simple words but that have profound implications. The book provides valuable insights that, as the title suggests, go beyond religion. It does not reject any or all religions but argues that it is possible to live an ethical life, by following one, more, all or no religion. Given the religious diversity in the world, I personally feel that the world needs to pay heed to this. The ideas of cultivating patience, kindness and a sense of generosity are described well. The books ends with a chapter on meditation and the simple exercises of training the mind can be very useful, irrespective of whether you wish to delve into the reasons that make these practices fruitful. Of course, the practices themselves are far easier to read about than to actually master, but you can’t cross the bridge without setting foot on it. I recommend the book to everyone but if you can’t find the time or inclination to read the whole of it, at least read the last chapter to just see if they resonate with you and if you wish to go beyond material, greed and destructive emotions.