25 Jan '13 14:38>
http://www.examiner.com/article/dalai-lama-promotes-secular-ethics-respect-for-nonbelievers
The Dalai Lama advocated for secular ethics, and respect for nonbelievers, while speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival, South Asia’s biggest annual literary event.
Speaking to an attentive and appreciative audience on Thursday, January 24, the opening day of the festival, the Dalai Lama spoke of the virtues of a secular morality free of religious bias. The Dalai Lama stressed the importance of secular ethics as the basis of moral teachings, arguing that morality based on religious teachings cannot be universal.
The Dalai Lama stressed the fact that one need not be religious to be a moral person:
"If you have religious faith, wonderful. If you have no interest in it, okay! Secular ethics are the most important."
The Dalai Lama praised the secular foundations of India, saying “India’s constitution is based on secularism.” He went on to point out that
“Secularism does not mean to disrespect religion; Respect all religions but at the same time respect nonbelievers.”
The Dalai Lama also told the audience that he enjoyed reading stories that showed the capacity of a human being or an animal to help another person, but joked that he did not like stories about miracles because he did not believe in them.
I think he is of an extremely rare breed: a religious leader worthy of respect.
--- Penguin.
The Dalai Lama advocated for secular ethics, and respect for nonbelievers, while speaking at the Jaipur Literature Festival, South Asia’s biggest annual literary event.
Speaking to an attentive and appreciative audience on Thursday, January 24, the opening day of the festival, the Dalai Lama spoke of the virtues of a secular morality free of religious bias. The Dalai Lama stressed the importance of secular ethics as the basis of moral teachings, arguing that morality based on religious teachings cannot be universal.
The Dalai Lama stressed the fact that one need not be religious to be a moral person:
"If you have religious faith, wonderful. If you have no interest in it, okay! Secular ethics are the most important."
The Dalai Lama praised the secular foundations of India, saying “India’s constitution is based on secularism.” He went on to point out that
“Secularism does not mean to disrespect religion; Respect all religions but at the same time respect nonbelievers.”
The Dalai Lama also told the audience that he enjoyed reading stories that showed the capacity of a human being or an animal to help another person, but joked that he did not like stories about miracles because he did not believe in them.
I think he is of an extremely rare breed: a religious leader worthy of respect.
--- Penguin.