Disarmament for World Peace

By the Dalai Lama

Through history, mankind has pursued peace one way or another. It is too optimistic to imagine that world peace may finally be within our grasp? I do not believe that there has been an increase in the amount of people's hatred, only in their ability to manifest it in vastly destructive weapons. On the other hand, bearing witness to the tragic evidence of the mass slaughter caused by such weapons in our country has given us the opportunity to control war. To do so, it is clear we must disarm.

Disarmament can occur only within the context of new political and economic relationships. Before we consider this issue in detail, it is worth imagining the kind of peace process from which we would benefit most. This is fairly self - evident. First we should work on eliminating nuclear weapons, next, biological and chemical ones, then offensive arms, and finally, defensive ones. At the same time, to safeguard the peace, we should start developing in one or more global regions an international police force made up of equal number of members from each nation under a collective command. Eventually this force would cover the whole world.

Because the dual process of disarmament and development of a joint force would be both multilateral and democratic, the right of majority to criticize or even intervene in the event of one nation violating the basic rules would be ensured. Moreover, with all large armies eliminated and all conflict such as border disputes subject to the control of the joint international force, large and small nations would be truly equal. Such reforms would result in a stable international environment.

Of course, the immense financial dividend reaped from the cessation of arms production would also provide a fantastic windfall for global development. Today, the nations of the world spend trillions of dollars annually on upkeep of the military. Can you imagine how many hospital beds, schools and homes this money could fund? In addition, as I mentioned above, the awesome proportion of scarce resources squandered on military development not only prevents the elimination of poverty, illiteracy and disease, but also requires the sacrifice of precious human intelligence. Our scientists are extremely bright. Why should their brilliance be wasted on such dreadful endeavors when it could be used for positive global development?

The great deserts of the world such as the Sahara and Gobi could be cultivated to increase food production and ease over-crowding. Many countries now face years of severe drought. New, less expensive methods of desalinization could be developed to render seawater suitable for human consumption and other uses. There are many pressing issues in the fields of energy and health to which our scientist could more usefully address themselves. Since the world economy would grow more rapidly as a result of their efforts, they could even be paid more!

Our planet is blessed with vast natural treasures. If we use them properly, beginning with elimination of militarism and war, truly, every human being will be able to live a wealthy, well-cared-for life.

Naturally, global peace cannot occur all at once. Since conditions around the world are varied, its spread will have to be incremental. But there is no reason why it cannot begin in one region and then spread gradually from one continent to another.

I would like to propose that regional communities like the European Community be established as an integral part of the more peaceful world we are trying to create. Looking at the post Cold War environment objectively, such communities are plainly the most natural and desirable components of a new world order. As we can see, the almost gravitational pull of our growing interdependence necessitates new, more cooperative structures. The European Community is pioneering the way in this endeavor, negotiating the delicate balance between economic, military and political collectively on the one hand and the sovereign rights of member states on the other. I am greatly inspired by this work. I also believe that the new Commonwealth of Independent Sates is grappling with similar issues and that the seeds of such a community are already present in the minds of many of its constituent republics. In this context, I would briefly like to talk about the future of my own country, Tibet, and China.

Like the former Soviet Union, Communist China is a multinational state, artificially constructed under the impetus of an expansionist ideology and up to now administered by force in colonial fashion. A peaceful, prosperous and above all politically stable future for china lies in its successfully fulfilling not only its own people's wishes for a more open, democratic system, but also of its eighty million so-called "national minorities", who want to regain their freedom. For real happiness to return to the heart of Asia - home to one-fifth of the human race - a pluralistic, democratic, mutually cooperative community of sovereign states must replace what is currently called the People's Republic of China.

Of course, such a community need not be limited to those presently under Chinese Communist Domination, such as Tibetans, Mongols, and Uighurs. The people of Hong Kong, those seeking an independent Taiwan, and even those suffering under other communist governments in North Korea, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia might also be interested in building an Asian Community. However, it is especially urgent that those ruled by the Chinese Communist consider doing so. Properly pursued, it could help save China from violent dissolution; regionalism and a return to the chaotic turmoil that has so afflicted this great nation throughout the twentieth century. Currently China's political life is so polarized that there is every reason to fear an early recurrence of bloodshed and tragedy. Each of us- every member of the world community - has a moral responsibility to help avert the immense suffering that civil strife would bring to China's vast population.

I believe that the very process of dialogue, modernization and compromise involved in building a community of Asian states would itself give real hope of peaceful evolution to a new order in China. From the very start, the member states of such a community might agree to decide its defense and international relations policies together. There would be many opportunities for cooperation. The critical point is that we find a peaceful, nonviolent way for the forces of freedom, democracy and moderation to emerge successfully from the current atmosphere of unjust repression.

The Dalai Lama will be holding a public talk and teachings at Emory University from October 8-10. For more information, visit this website. http://www.dalailama.emory.edu/webcast/index.html

Dalai Lama: 50 Thoughts for a Better World

On his 78th birthday, the Dalai Lama has highlighted 50 ideas that can help achieve world peace.

Below is an article published by Times of India:

1) If people trust you, you have no grounds for fear, suspicion or jealousy.
2) Despite the superficial differences between us, we need to have a sense that all 7 billion human beings belong to one human family.
3) What we do need to do is to find ways to incorporate advice about warm-heartedness into our education system.
4) When we develop care and concern by thinking of others not as ‘them’ but ‘us’, there is no room for bullying, exploitation or deceit.
5) Genuine peace is based on inner peace, because you cannot build peace on the basis of anger.
6) Our real guide is our own mind, our sense of reason. We naturally have self-interest, but it should be wise rather than foolish self-interest by taking others' needs into account as well as ours.
7) I feel that each of us has the potential to make some contribution, and together, working with a clear aim, we can change our world.
8) Human happiness depends on taking others into account.
9) If we make consistent effort, based on proper education, we can change the world.
10) It is expressions of affection, rather than money and power, that attract real friends.
11) We need to strengthen such inner values as contentment, patience and tolerance, as well as compassion for others.
12) Everybody wants a happy life and a peaceful mind, but we have to produce peace of mind through our own practice.
13) Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.
14) Serving and helping others out of compassion is non-violence in action.
15) Most of our problems are related to the mind, so we have to work to reduce our destructive emotions.
16) If we can refrain from harming others in our everyday actions and words, we can start to give more serious attention to actively doing good.
17) Placing all our hope on material development is clearly mistaken; the ultimate source of happiness is within us.
18) If we can cultivate a concern for others, keeping in mind the oneness of humanity, we can build a more compassionate world.
19) It’s unrealistic to think that the future of humanity can be achieved only on the basis of prayer. What we need is to take action.
20) Concern for others’ well-being reduces fear and suspicion, prompting the openness and transparency that gives rise to trust and friendship.
21) Anger, hatred and jealousy can never solve problems. Only affection, concern and respect can do that.
22) Refraining from harm - not out of fear, but out of concern for others, their well-being and out of respect - is non-violence.
23) Whether we are happy or not depends on our attitude; compassion, for instance, leads to a calmer mind.
24) Education is the way to achieve far-reaching results; it is the proper way to promote compassion and tolerance in society.
25) Healthy, happy families and a healthy peaceful nation are dependent on warm-heartedness.
26) The challenge today is to convince people of the value of truth, honesty, compassion and a concern for others.
27) To make this a century of dialogue, we need to find ways to promote a greater awareness of the oneness of humanity.
28) It is vital that when educating our children’s brains, we do not neglect to educate their hearts by nurturing their compassionate nature.
29) If you are honest, truthful, and transparent, people trust you.
30) Just as we encourage physical hygiene to preserve our health, we also need a sense of emotional or mental hygiene too.
31) We live in a world in which we are dependent on others; we cannot expect to fulfil our goals while disregarding others’ needs.
32) We forget that despite the superficial differences between us, people are equal in their basic wish for peace and happiness.
33) People think of animals as if they were vegetables, and that is not right. We have to change the way people think about animals. I encourage the Tibetan people and all people to move toward a vegetarian diet that doesn’t cause suffering.
34) Sex offers fleeting satisfaction and leads to trouble later, while chastity offers a better life and more independence, more freedom. Problems arising from conjugal life sometimes even lead to suicide or murder...
35) Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.
36) Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.
37) Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend or a meaningful day.
38) 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.
39) Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.
40) All major religious traditions carry basically the same message - love, compassion and forgiveness. The important thing is that they should be part of our daily lives.
41) When you are discontent, you always want more, more, more. Your desire can never be satisfied. But when you practice contentment, you can say to yourself: Oh yes. I already have everything that I really need.
42) The purpose of our lives is to be happy.
43) In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher.
44) We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without human affection.
45) When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others.
46) The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness. If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
47) If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
48) It is important to consider others at least as important as ourselves. This is the essence of spirituality.
49) A number of people have said to me, after hearing my thinking, that their mind becomes much happier, concludes the Dalai Lama. I sure hope fellow seekers feel totally refreshed, like a walk in the rain, after this talk with the adorable and simple spiritual leader.
50) Reflect.

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His Holiness the Dalai Lama Reflects on Working Toward Peace

Today's world requires us to accept the oneness of humanity. In the past, isolated communities could afford to think of one another as fundamentally separate. Some could even exist in total isolation. But nowadays, whatever happens in one region eventually affects many other areas. Within the context of our new interdependence, self-interest clearly lies in considering the interest of others.

Many of the world's problems and conflicts arise because we have lost sight of the basic humanity that binds us all together as a human family. We tend to forget that despite the diversity of race, religion, ideology, and so forth, people are equal in their basic wish for peace and happiness.

Nearly all of us receive our first lessons in peaceful living from our mothers, because the need for love lies at the very foundation of human existence. From the earliest stages of our growth, we are completely dependent upon our mother's care and it is very important for us that she express her love. If children do not receive proper affection, in later life they will often find it hard to love others. Peaceful living is about trusting those on whom we depend and caring for those who depend on us. Most of us receive our first experience of both these qualities as children.

I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy. From the very core of our being, we desire contentment. In my own limited experience I have found that the more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being. Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. It helps remove whatever fears or insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with any obstacles we encounter. It is the principal source of success in life. Since we are not solely material creatures, it is a mistake to place all our hopes for happiness on external development alone. The key is to develop inner peace.

Actions and events depend heavily on motivation. From my Buddhist viewpoint all things originate in the mind. If we develop a good heart, then whether the field of our occupation is science, agriculture, or politics, since the motivation is so very important, the result will be more beneficial. With proper motivation these activities can help humanity; without it they go the other way. This is why the compassionate mind is so very important for humankind. Although it is difficult to bring about the inner change that gives rise to it, it is absolutely worthwhile to try.

When you recognize that all beings are equal and like yourself in both their desire for happiness and their right to obtain it, you automatically feel empathy and closeness for them. You develop a feeling of responsibility for others: the wish to help them actively overcome their problems. True compassion is not just an emotional response but a firm commitment founded on reason. Therefore, a truly compassionate attitude towards others does not change even if they behave negatively.

I believe that we must consciously develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. We must learn to work not just for our own individual self, family, or nation, but for the benefit of all humankind. Universal responsibility is the best foundation both for our personal happiness and for world peace, the equitable use of our natural resources, and, through a concern for future generations, the proper care for the environment. . . .

A new way of thinking has become the necessary condition for responsible living and acting. If we maintain obsolete values and beliefs, a fragmented consciousness, and a self-centered spirit, we will continue to hold to outdated goals and behaviors. Such an attitude by a large number of people would block the entire transition to an interdependent yet peaceful and cooperative global society.

If we look back at the development in the twentieth century, the most devastating cause of human suffering, of deprivation of human dignity, freedom, and peace has been the culture of violence in resolving differences and conflicts. In some ways the twentieth century can be called the century of war and bloodshed. The challenge before us, therefore, is to make our new century a century of dialogue and of peaceful coexistence.

In human societies there will always be differences of views and interests. But the reality today is that we are all interdependent and have to coexist on this small planet. Therefore, the only sensible and intelligent way of resolving differences and clashes of interests, whether between individuals or nations, is through dialogue. The promotion of a culture of dialogue and nonviolence for the future of humankind is thus an important task of the international community. It is not enough for governments to endorse the principle of nonviolence or hold it high without any appropriate action to promote it.

It is also natural that we should face obstacles in pursuit of our goals. But if we remain passive, making no effort to solve the problems we meet, conflicts will arise and hindrances will grow. Transforming these obstacles into opportunities for positive growth is a challenge to our human ingenuity. To achieve this requires patience, compassion, and the use of our intelligence.

Resources for Teachers & Students © 2008 Markkula Center for Applied Ethics; Essays, Santa Clara, CA

Original article link: http://www.scu.edu/ethics/architects-of-peace/Dalai-Lama/essay.html