Interfaith Ceremony

Translator: I'm extremely pleased to be here at this Interfaith Service and I want to thank everyone.

Dalai Lama: After two weeks, this is the last day in this country. Now, this occasion brings a good memory for my last day in this country. So, you see this hall -- a bit dark -- beautiful atmosphere is here. I enjoy it very much and I am deeply honoured to be amongst people of various, different faiths.

Now today -- humankind -- we have developed very high standards in science and technology, and as a result, we have resolved many human problems -- poverty, disease, hunger. We have solved many problems. At the same time, due to highly developed science, technology, our generation today is facing more fear and more anxiety. Today -- sometimes referred to what is called a sudden explosion or end of this world. That sort of thing has now become a reality. In the past, in our forefather's time, such talk would have been nonsense; but now, such potential destruction has become a reality.

Now under circumstances, inner peace, self-control, self-discipline are more needed. Actually, 1000 years ago, people had suffering, and in order to save or lessen the problem of human suffering, various religions came to exist. Today on top of the basic human suffering, we have more fear, more constant threat. So from that viewpoint, we need even more than ever, the teachings of kindness and the teachings of sense of brotherhood and sisterhood -- two kinds of love.

So, although I can't understand well when you read certain scriptures from different languages, generally, every prayer, every religion emphasizes the importance of love and kindness.

So, at this point, whether you are a believer or a nonbeliever -- this is something which is a private business; but, as a human society, mankind lives together on this planet and we need kindness. We need a real kind atmosphere rather than an angry atmosphere. An atmosphere of hatred creates suffering, creates trouble, creates depression. The atmosphere of warmth and kindness creates peace, enjoyment and calm. So all religions contribute in this respect. Today, various religious practices contribute to real peace of mind.

It is very important and necessary to have such close relations between different religions and faiths and philosophies. Through closer contact -- we will know each other better and will develop mutual respect for each other, and also, we can learn from each other's doctrine and each other's philosophy. It helps makes our own faith richer.

So now, this kind of closer contact, in my mind, is very useful and very meaningful. In this present world, we have many varieties of religions and different faiths. Each has some specialty. People's mental dispositions are so different from each other that different varieties of philosophy and Dharma are very necessary and useful. At the same time, practically all religion's ultimate goal is ultimate happiness of all sentient beings or mankind. So, through closer contact, we can make a common effort for mankind for real peace, lasting peace. That is very necessary and we can achieve this through common effort. So, I'm very happy, very happy.

Now another thing -- through my own experience, we pray, and beautiful scriptures are very nice, very good, but not sufficient. We should implement these good teachings in our day-to-day life; then we will feel or realize or experience the value of Dharma. At the same time, we can show other people the real value of Dharma. If we live the value of religion or Dharma in the book, then it's not so much useful. It is absolutely necessary and important that these good teachings and good ideas must carry into our day-to-day life. Through that way, there is real hope to achieve a real peaceful, friendly, human family.

Through power, through money, through atrocity, through aggressiveness, we cannot achieve the real lasting peace and harmony in the family. So, you see, in this century and the last century, various nations are trying their best to achieve a real lasting peace. Unfortunately, still we are not sufficient. We are lacking the real peace on this globe. There are many, many crises.

The only alternative is through mental development -- to real peace of mind. Through that there is a real possibility to achieve real world peace. Without mental peace, world peace is very difficult. How can there be peace through anger, through hatred, through bitterness? So, anyway to achieve world peace is through kindness, compassion.

So, this is my feeling. I'm deeply moved together with you this evening and thank you very much.

Translator: When I return to India, this memory will be with me very clearly.

Dalai Lama: Thank you very much. Thank you.