Introduction:
Ethics for the new millennium speaks of different ways humans can achieve happiness in daily living. Dalai Lama also speaks of religion and how it fits in understanding what is happiness. He then begs the question from all his understanding of life and the countless religions that he has studied, if there really is a need for organized religion to be happy? To better answer this it might be good to know what fulfills the human spirit and makes a person feel whole.
Chapter 1: Modern society and the quest for human happiness
- Rich are unhappy and have everything
- Poor are happy and have nothing
- Why?
- The rich have constant anxiety, constant worry, and depression, sadness. The rich are to blame for their own unhappiness. How is that?
- Material possessions create much anxiety
- Selfishness: keeping everything to themselves which in turn enslaves them to their unhappiness
- Dalai Lama (1999) points out that society needs to find a balance to be able to live peacefully.
- The poor are making the best of what they have but should strive to move themselves up within society and make a better living for themselves.
- The rich should instead of relying soling on material possessions to give satisfaction should focus on other things to fulfill themselves, instead of using temporary things to create happiness (Lama, 1999).
Chapter 2: No magic, no mystery
Most people who are within an organized religion that follow and practice faithfully are those who tend to find the most happiness compared to those that don’t practice an organized religion faithfully (Lama, 1999).
Dalai Lama (1999) though believes that there is no need to be involved within an organized faith to gain this happiness.
- Why, and how?
- The universal ethical principles that can help people reach happiness are the qualities of the human spirit- love, compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, contentment, responsibility, and a sense of harmony (Lama, 1999).
- What is difficult about this is as human’s, they need to find and understand these ethical principles and give self motivation towards understanding them, an organized religion gives a sense of community and belonging and motivation to achieve these goals of love, compassion, patience etc.
- Involving our bodies to be apart of these qualities of the human spirit it gives a person a sense of peace. This sense of peace is the happiness that everyone aspires for and tries to understand.
- When there is a proper balance and understanding of these spiritual qualities then there is a greater chance of happiness (Lama, 1999). This is why Dalai Lama (1999) believes that organized religion is not necessary to achieve happiness.
Chapter 15: The role of religion in modern society
- The Complexity of religions
- So many different religions has caused much conflict within the world
- A lot of the conflict comes from a lacking of understanding and ignorance from other religions. Nobody is educated in the beliefs of others and so in the end it causes many misunderstandings.
- Another reason is that everyone considerers their religion is the one true religion (Lama, 1999). Dalai Lama (1999) likes to think of religion as medicine for the human spirit, religion is a tool to help us sustain happiness, and that not all medicines are for everyone. Dalai Lama (1999) then points out that even though all religions cannot be the one truth that everyone should remember, most religions share together in one common thing, the principle qualities of the human spirit.
Here is a video link to Dalai Lama discussing his book: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFVQBZA_QOc
(This is not his whole speech there is another link on the page if you wish to see more)
Reflection
Dalai Lama really did a great job with this book, a lot of things were well said and handled appropriately. However, because of his bias towards his faith in Buddhism, I think that a lot of what Dalai Lama said was said in a way to not create any conflict. The way he approached religion was well spoken being that it is a difficult subject. His expression and advice for finding a balance in this world was expressed in a thoughtful way and should not be taken lightly. He further explains within the book how to go about these internal changes in later chapters if you wish to read the book yourself.
Dalai Lama’s claim towards only needing to be fulfilled with the fruits of the human spirit is correct there is a happiness and satisfaction that are granted when someone is completely at peace within themselves. Being at peace within oneself also attracts other people. When looking at our textbook Ferrell, O.C. Fraedrich, and Ferrell, L. (2011) show the importance of true happiness within oneself is important for growth within any company. It helps to gain a better trust and creates a stronger bond with customers, which in turn creates success.
Now looking further into the next few chapters discussed, I would like to admit that I am completely biased towards my Catholic beliefs when I refer to what Dalai Lama has to say. Dalai Lama believes that not one sole religion is for everyone and possibly one person might not find any solace in any religion. In my opinion, I feel that this is not true. I think that if people who are exposed to God in the right way and God reveals himself to that person and gives them the grace to see him, then I don’t know how they could not want to get close to the lord and continue in the journey. It is easy to be misguided by all of the things within the world that tempt us but following the Lord helps to gain and keep that true happiness that everyone seeks to attain.
Dalai Lama also explains within chapter 15 the importance of understanding other religions and being open-minded towards others. Ferrell, O.C. et al. (2011) in Chapter 6 of our textbook describes relativist, descriptive, metaethical, and normative perspectives, all of which show what Dalai Lama is explaining with these conflicts of religions. If we only could see others perspectives or learn about them, and study their culture. This is what should be done when doing business internationally so as to understand and be respectful towards beliefs that are not our own. By using these perspectives success will build within and create a better name for the business, which in turn will receive admiration and respect from others.
Discussion Questions:
1. Do you think that organized religion is important anymore in today's society?
2. What is your stand on not everyone being connected to just one sole religion? Do you agree with Dalai Lama?
Buddhist religion is different in many ways. One difference is that it does not seek the conversion of others the way that Christianity historically has. So I don't think he's trying to be sensitive or unbiased. He really believes that there is no "one way" to God.
ReplyDeleteI think that people tend to gravitate toward ideas that they find relevant. I know that's how it is for me. I'm not so sure if organized religion (in some of it's forms) is as as important as making the core values found in religion relevant. I worked for 15 years as a Catholic youth minister and it was very difficult to make the "practice" of Catholicism relevant to teens. However, it was very easy to connect core Catholic values to issues facing teens.
I struggled with your second question for many years and found that I needed to step out of my Catholic mindset to truly appreciate the richness found in other spiritual traditions. It's actually helped me find even deeper meaning in all the theology, Chistology, and scriptural exegesis that I studied years ago. So, I agree with the Dalai Lama, there is no one single way for people.
Thank you for sharing your perspective. It's nice to hear another thought about how the author is trying to be as unbiased as possible which you are probably correct because he did say countless times within his book this very same thing. I was pretty critical of the readings and so wanted to express my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteYes I also agree with the second statement you said where many people do tend to gravitate towards what is important to them or what makes sense to them. Which in today's American society is what everyone does, to do what you want because you can (we are a free country why not?). I try and go against the grain a little and not do what society tells us. I can't say that I"m perfect but I"m a work in progress.I commend you for what you say in answering the second question. It is great that you really were able to expand and find something that is of value to you because it can be very difficult.
Hi Adriana,
ReplyDeleteGreat analysis on your book. There are a lot of interesting points here to think about. What is happiness and how can we achieve it every day. There are a billion answers to this question. I myself don’t know. However, I will tell you one of the things that give me great joy is helping others, I think most of our classmates and many Christians would agree.
As you talk about chapter 1 I think those are fair assumptions when speaking of extremely rich and extremely poor but when talking about people like middle class Americans I think there is a lot of gray area. I think kind of the opposite that poor can be happy because there are so many stresses on how to pay the bills and feed my children? Instead of like the rich wondering how to keep or get more they are concerned with housing and shelter.
I must admit I don’t know a lot about other religions. I was raised catholic and thought everyone was like me until I took a Christianity class a few years ago. Would you believe if I told you my mother was Lutheran? I believe these universal ethical principles that can help people reach happiness are the qualities of the human spirit- love, compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, contentment, responsibility, and a sense of harmony (Lama, 1999). In my opinion, I don’t even really know about organized religion. I really focus more on my own spiritual relationships more than getting caught up so much in the rules of religion. I do agree with the Dalai Lama that it is very important to find balance in life to be happy.
I agree with James statement with thinking that people tend to gravitate toward ideas that they find relevant. I know I do this myself. Even though I am catholic and would never change my religion (which incidentally, many of my friends have recently decided to do because they don't like all the rules.) I find myself picking and choosing the rules that I really follow and thinking the ones I don't want to follow aren't as important as the ones that I do.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Colleen. I am interested in your last paragraph. Picking and choosing what is relevant to you and leaving behind the others. What do you think is relevant to others or to yourself when it comes to being a catholic? Do you like to think of Catholicism as something to do day to day? What are the things that are important to you?
ReplyDeleteGreat book analysis and discussion!
ReplyDeleteI am interested in hearing what you think about the Pope's encyclical that we read - do you think he was pushing the Christian or Catholic rules down our throats? I am surprised to hear that you thought the Dalai Lama was pushing Buddhism because I thought he and the Pope both talked about human nature and the inner desires and knowledge all people have regardless of religion or culture. Both religious leaders certainly use terminology and ideas from their own religious perspectives, but I would strongly argue that the main point of both is that ethics is not dependent on religiosity. I also think it is safe to say that both leaders would say that religion can lead you to ethics, but that religion is not required to be ethical since there are inner truths that are known to all people.
Jim,
ReplyDeleteI was a Catholic Youth Ministry for 5 years when I was first married and I agree that it was a great challenge to make the faith relevant to the teens because of the divide in their minds between religion and the rest of their lives. It is only through seeing Catholicism as an entire way of living that is guided by the core values of the Church that the practice (the rules, the Mass, the Sacraments even) make any sense at all. So many Catholics (and I would argue people of other faiths as well) get so focused on following the rules and doing what is required by their religion that they completely miss the point of all of it. If I hadn't left the church for several years - I still would be just blindly following the rules and not understanding that Christianity is all about a relationship with Christ and a life that is drastically different because of this relationship. From this foundation - the rules are not dreaded things I don't want to do, but they make total sense and not doing them is contrary to the relationship I am building with Christ. For example - Rule 1: Catholic have to go to Mass on Sundays - of course you need to go to Mass - this is the place where you intimately are united to Christ in the Eucharist and united to His Body - fellow church members. I have found that the more I research the 'rules' I don't like the more I fall in love with them.
I know this is not a religion class, so I better stop here - I could not help responding though. Thanks for reading :)
HI Adriana,
ReplyDeleteNice blog. I do think that organized religion can have a place in society. I was raised Catholic, but I am not a practicing one at this time. I just do not make a full connection with it based on some of my personal beliefs at this time. That obviously does not mean I do not respect the religion or others that are out there. Organized religions offer people guidance and a place to worship among many other positive things. It can teach a positive way of life so I do think it offers a value to our society and does still have a place. As long as it promotes a respect and tolerance for others, then I think it is a good thing for society. Anything else is detrimental.
As far as your last question, I can only answer from my own perspective and experience. I agree with the Dalai Lama in that it is possible for one to be connected to multiple belief systems. I personally do not think there is just one "right" or single way. It is all within and connected to who one is as a person. I personally have found many beliefs I agree with from many different religions. I also know of people who routinely go to the same church every Sunday and are horrible people and some that do not attend church and are probably the some of the best people I know. To me, it is truly the person and their behavior and actions and not just the religion they practice. So yes, I think it is possible and perfectly fine for someone to not be a part of one sole religion as in the end it is about them as a person.
Hi Adriana!
ReplyDeleteGreat analysis! Very interesting information!
I like to believe that organized religion is still important today. Even if someone doesn't go to church every week (have not gone every week but I go a few times a month), it doesn't mean that they don't believe. I have thought that religion keeps order in a way. The religion comes from the heart and if you have it in your heart then you follow the beliefs in your own way bringing good to what you do and fulfillment in your self. Globally there have been religious issues but here at home, I feel that religion of all kinds help people be at peace with themselves and therefore with one another.
One point that I thought was very interesting and truthful statement regarding there being one sole religion was that of Dalai Lama that, "religion is medicine for the human spirit, religion is a tool to help us sustain happiness, and that not all medicines are for everyone. Dalai Lama then points out that even though all religions cannot be the one truth that everyone should remember, most religions share together in one common thing, the principle qualities of the human spirit. I love my religion, but if someone else has a different belief I will not force my beliefs on them but rather join in a discussion about the two. My religion brings me fulfillment within my spirit and if you believe differently than I but you still get your fulfillment in spirit, who am I to tell you how you believe is wrong?
I also agree that organized religion may not be as important as having and greater understand of one’s religion core values and beliefs, sometime I think that making sure everyone understand the values may not get as much focus it they should especially within today youth. I think a lot of us are already brought up in a religion, so really you never mad that choie you just know that you are a Catholic, Christian, Buddhist or etc., but do the youth really true know and understand why…
ReplyDeleteI do agree with Dalai Lama that if everyone had a better understand of other religion things could be a little easier less jumping to conclusion about others’ lives and more understanding why people do things and operate in a certain way.
I agree with Shelley when she says that organized religions offer people guidance and a place to worship among many other positive things. It can teach a positive way of life while promotes a respect and tolerance for others...something I think is very needed in today's society. I also believe that regardless of your religion or your overall beliefs it is something that inspires you and assists with giving you that inner peace.
ReplyDeleteSo many comments I don't know if i will be able to get to all of you but I loved what you said Professor Cory about the faith (Catholics in general). It is a difficult religion and one with many rules but the way you said it really just hit the nail on the head. The rules are what guides us to have that closer relationship with God.
ReplyDeleteNow just to comment on something you said. I don't think that Dalai Lama is shoving Buddhism down our throats. It is quite the contrary being that he doesn't want to push his religion on us. The reason being is that i feel he doesn't want to create a conflict amongst people and make others think that if they don't follow Buddhism that they won't be happy. He stayed in between. So that people wouldn't feel that pressure. What I said though could be controversial to what some people believe and I"m just glad that nobody here is taking anything i say in the wrong way.
I loved everyones comments and answers to these questions. A lot of people just seem to go with whatever feels right to them regardless of what their religion says. It would be interesting if everyone could be taught and everyone understand the basic principles of the human spirit. It would really attest to if we could find true happiness.
Hi Adriana,
ReplyDeleteI found your book analysis to be a seemingly great synopsis of the book. I hope I will have time to read this book in the near future!
It is interesting to learn how ethics are often associated with religious upbringing. However, I found it interesting and helpful that you highlighted the Dali Lama's explanation of the universal ethical principles. I tend to agree with this explanation.
In response to your questions, I think that organized religion has a place in upholding tradition, but from a business perspective, religion is controversial and should be omitted (unless it is a religious-based business, of course). With increasing globalization, I think it will be important for all cultures to be intimately cross-educated about all religions to promote tolerance/acceptance and understanding. While I believe that business and religion are separate (group versus personal) I think that this cross-education of religions will be important in modern society to preserve religious tradition/prevent acculturation. However, I think that the Dali Lama seems to present an objective framework, from which all people may be able to peacefully live by.
While I do think that preserving religions is important, I also think that there are many commonalities between religions that have just had slightly different interpretations. I think that the idea of a non-denominational church is very interesting. Perhaps this will be a tool for religious and ethical collaboration in the future?!
I also think Shelley has a great point that organized religion could offer people guidance and other positive factors in their life as long as it promoted that way, I think a lot people need that sense of guidance and in their life and a lot of people don’t know where to start to get it. There was a lot of great viewpoint and comments on this topic many ideas and wouldnt have thought about without reading other blogs.
ReplyDeleteHi, it’s Matt A….
ReplyDelete1. Do you think that organized religion is important anymore in today's society?
I believe organized religion is important in today’s society but they need to live in harmony. It is true that so many different religions have caused much conflict within the world, but that is due to poor leadership within the religions, not the religions themselves. Followers need to be able to hold their leaders accountable for their actions and not allow them to cause conflict. Followers have the duty to question their religious leaders just as much as they do with their political leaders. I believe that religious leaders are given too much inherent creditability. They are human and can be lead askew by power.
2. What is your stand on not everyone being connected to just one sole religion? Do you agree with Dalai Lama?
I agree with the Dalai Lama that all religions are connected to just one sole religion. I believe that humans want to enhance the principle qualities of the human spirit and answer to higher power. Religion is just one vehicle in which most people do so. Another people strive in enhance their humanity through science, their family, charity, or another calling that benefits them spiritually and/or emotional.
1. Do you think that organized religion is important anymore in today's society?
ReplyDeleteI do think it’s important, but not as significant as the belief in morality and a higher power (God). There is beauty, kindness, and morality in just about all religions. They are all based on the same premise—love of God, fellow man, and peace. The danger lies in one (organized) religion condemning another: Protestants against the Catholics, Jews against Muslims, and on and on…. The persecution of gays and lesbians can be directly tied to organized religion; and the Mormons were accused of bigotry toward blacks, (African Americans). Organized religion can be turned into something negative with the right political climate, agenda, and momentum, it can be very dangerous.
2. What is your stand on not everyone being connected to just one sole religion? Do you agree with Dalai Lama?
Though I am a Christian that believes that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, I will not speak against any other religion, nor condemn the views of those that do not agree with me. I believe that all religion based on love is ordained by, and cloaked under God. We are many people, with many customs—we sometimes interpret God to shape our own understanding of what little we know of faith, the world, and existence beyond this life. The belief in God is faith and through God there are infinite possibilities—and so there is plenty of room for variety.
FROM MATT D.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that organized religion is important anymore in today's society?
I believe religion is important in today’s society to the extent that it promotes charity, compassion, relief, support, and moral purpose. Religion that brings people together in the spirit of charity and goodwill is a good thing. Religion that endeavors to help the weak, sick, poor, lost, and heartbroken people in the world is a good thing. Religion that gives people purpose and helps them develop an understanding of good citizenship and good stewardship is a good thing. People need purpose. Many people are unfulfilled if they don’t have a cause in their life. Religion can give people a positive purpose and a cause. Unfortunately, religion can be easily distorted and abused.
I’m not a big fan of evangelism because of its association with politics and the shaping of legislation. I believe in the separation of church and state and I don’t care to hear about the “good news” from evangelicals. I like to compare religion to the police department. I like knowing it’s there, but at the same time, I prefer to call for it when I feel I need it. I’m bothered by the assumption that if I'm not “born again,” my life is somehow empty and unfulfilled. I’m not interested in someone else’s opinion on this matter and I prefer to be left alone about it.
What is your stand on not everyone being connected to just one sole religion? Do you agree with Dalai Lama?
I agree Dalai Lama on his point that people are not connected to one sole religion. I think this speaks to some of the points I made when I answered the first question. Religion can bring people together but it can also be dangerous. It can be interpreted in literal and figurative terms and it can be manipulated and misconstrued to the point of intolerance. Some people argue that religion is absolute. I argue that there are no absolutes with religion and that everything should be left open to interpretation. Ultimately, I think religious tolerance is essential to religious survival in the 21st century.
--Matt D.
Hello Adriana,
ReplyDeleteNice review,
I think that organized religion is still important in today’s society. Organized religion has a job of helping people to find and know GOD. It sets a foundation and gives guidance in spiritual growth. Many people need to have a place of worship to be identified with. They want to congregate with people whom believe like they believe. It is natural for people to seek out groups of commonality. The church can be a place for them to begin their spiritual quest. They can join together with others on a common goal of spiritual growth and ministry in the world. Sometimes when people move to a new city one of the first things they do is find a church to congregate and join with others in commonality. Most often they can find some neighborly support and friendship. In today’s society where so much is contrary to godly principles and ethical living, organized religion is needed even more than before.
I agree with Dalai Lama. We have many religions because people are different and attracted by different qualities. People have to find GOD in a way that is conducive to their way of learning, thinking and existing. Religion is a vehicle to deliver knowledge of GOD to man and to organize GOD’s work in the earth. It is all about loving GOD and our fellow mankind. As long as people gain peace with GOD, themselves and their fellow man the label on it does not matter. If people would respect each other as children of the almighty GOD regardless of religious background there would be more peace in mankind.
Cheryl H.
Hello All,
ReplyDeleteI was reading Ronya's post and I agree that sometimes organized religion can be a negative thing when it brings about hatred and persecution of others that they disagree with because of life style or race.
Many people take a negative stance on Islamic beliefs because they associate it with terrorist and the hateful acts that they commit, but it does not mean that founding beliefs of the Islamic faith is that of hatred and murder.
I bring this out to say that everyone in a specific religion do not always see eye to eye on political issues and sometimes people distort a faith to justify their own actions and beliefs. You cannot blindly follow people or religions you must form your own relationship with GOD and let GOD be your guide into faith, truth and justice. GOD loves everyone, but not always the things they do. So, acts of evil and hatred toward fellow human beings should always be questioned.
Cheryl H.
Hi Adrianna, great post! This book looks quite interesting to me. I especially liked your review on chapter one. I agree that as humans we tend to get off track. Material possessions, or greed like we discussed in this class, often take precedence over what really matters in life. This chapter helps me reevaulate my own motives, and return to my roots so to speaks on what is important in my life.
ReplyDelete1. Do you think that organized religion is important anymore in today's society?
I do believe that organized religion has a place in today's society. I can only speak from my experience, but I know that it provids me with a set of ethical boundaries, a community, and motives to help others. All of these things can be accomplished without religion, but what it does not offer that religion does is a purpose more than yourself. While organized religion might not be for everyone, I believe that it is an important part of my life.
2. What is your stand on not everyone being connected to just one sole religion? Do you agree with Dalai Lama?
I believe that the Dalai Lama has made some important religious, and philosophical arguments over the course of history. I do not completely agree with this idea however. While being connected with a religion is not for everyone, for myself it is important. The lessons, and charity I do with my church are an important part of my ability to maintain my strong ethical standards. I would like to read this book further, to understand his ideas. This will be another book to add to my life.
Hi, Adrianna!
ReplyDeleteNice post and I definitely want to read the book!
1. Do you think that organized religion is important anymore in today's society?
I think that we all have a true North that lets us know what is right or wrong. For example, if you are a balanced person, it doesn't feel good to lie, steal, cheat etc...that comes from within and is inherent. I feel that religion can and does serve many positive purposes, but in reality, if we didn't have organized religion, we would see a significant decrease in the violence and problems we have in the world today. For example Catholics and Protestants in Ireland, Jews and Palestinians in Israel and Muslim verses Christians. While you can say that leaders are at fault and not the religions, religions get distorted from their original intents because of leaders and those distortions have lived on and the original messages have been changed. Jesus was a man who dressed and spoke simply without pomp and circumstance because he wanted to connect with the common man, religious leaders today have an arrogance and ego that Jesus would probably not condone. Anytime you have an institution (religion), it must operate first and foremost for its own survival and the original message gets lost or distorted in order to support the the people who are the leaders and most stand to benefit. Look at the systemic child sexual abuse of the Catholic church, for example. The organization protected itself and put its own interests ahead of those of the people they were supposedly there to serve.
Also, many religions focus on guilt and strict dogma that causes people to suffer needlessly and this often times leads to bad behavior because people don't feel good about themselves or can't feel free to just be who they are because they have been taught they are "bad" or not good enough. When you feel good about yourself because you feel that you are inherently good, it feels good to make good choices and bad to make bad choices.
If people relied on their own spirituality and respected their own and others as a private matter, we would have much more peace in the world.
I truly believe that if Jesus were here today, he would not be happy with much of what passes for Christianity today. I believe God would not condone violence against your fellow man. Those are man made problems
What is your stand on not everyone being connected to just one sole religion? Do you agree with Dalai Lama?
I believe that there is one God or Higher Power, but I do not think God promotes or would even condone much of what passes for religion today. The basic tenets of most major religions are more similar than dissimilar, everything else is interpretation, ego and the need to be different. I agree with the Dali Lama that there is just One, but I don't see it as a religion...I see it as Spirituality and personal connection with Higher Power.