Islam not a militant faith: Dalai Lama

TimesofTibet.com ^ | Dec 9, 2003, 08:43 | IANS

[yonif]

Darjeeling - Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has urged Western countries not to consider Islam a "militant religion" and said all conflicts should be resolved through dialogue.

"There is a perception among the Western media that Islam is militant but that is not true. All religions have the same potential for peace," the Dalai Lama said at a Buddhist convention in West Bengal.

The Buddhist religious head is on a weeklong visit to the hill resort of Darjeeling, where he is holding religious discourses and initiation rituals.

The Dalai Lama said even religious radicals could be "sincere practitioners" of their faith. "Fundamentalism is born when religion is used for political and economic purposes."

He said the Pope agreed with him that all religions preached tolerance and brotherhood.

"I have met the Pope many times in the past and we both share similar views on religion and spirituality.

"We are all spiritual brothers and sisters," the Dalai Lama said, calling for religious pluralism for the entire world.

He said violence could not be the answer to terrorism.

"The concept of war is outdated. Violence is unpredictable and it can go out of hand. Conflict situations should be resolved through negotiations," he said.

The Dalai Lama lives in India at the head of a government-in-exile based in the northern hill town of Dharamsala.

[Sunsong]

Right. Just look what a great job he's done for his own country -- Tibet :-)

[sd-joe]

Unadalterated BS.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Would he be better off dead, and would his death have ensured the survival of his faith?

[xrp]

I guess he doesn't miss this little item that much:

[xrp]

Because here's what happened!

Maybe he is right, it is a religion of [Buddhist statue] pieces.

[07055]

This guy is supposed to be something special? Just sounds like another naive dreamer to me.

[yonif]

bump

[OpusatFR]

"The concept of war is outdated. Violence is unpredictable and it can go out of hand."

Somebody better tell the radicals.

[cavtrooper21]

I think he's been up at too high an altitude for too long and he's lost some major brain function.

Anybody noticed how well the Hindus and Moslems are getting along in India....
Oh, yea... they be bosom buddys..

[Sunsong]

"Would he be better off dead, and would his death have ensured the survival of his faith?"

Perhaps. Certainly America has lost many great men (and women) who were willing to fight and die for what they believed in. It is my opinion that what has happened to Tibet is unconscionable. I do not think they have been served well by their leader. I do not think it is peaceful to allow others to kill you, or your loved ones and destroy your culture and country. Peace is not pacifism, imo.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

The Dalai Lama is the embodiment of passivism, but he does believe in justice. I think his point about fundmentalism is valid, however. At least he lives peacefully and safely in India.

[mylife]

Well Hello Dali!!

[Prime Choice]

This rose-colored blather totally ignores the simple reality that all Muslim cultures treat non-Muslims like second-class citizens. If that's not militant at its core, what is?

Funny, but didn't the Leftists get all uppity about that same sort of arrangement in South Africa? Now they turn a blind eye to it. Hmmmmmmmmmm.

[rovenstinez]

Does this guy do drugs? This idea didn't do much at all to save Tibet. He sure ain't my hero.

[mylife]

I read somewhere that he shoots hawks with a pellet gun because he doesnt care for hawks. He doesnt consider them peaceful because they prey upon other fluffy animals.
Pot/Kettle?

[Doc On The Bay]

I'm SURE he "Stands For" "PEACE" in his Religion--& I"M SURE that the Religions Whose Practicioners are attempting to MURDER US are "Peaceful Religions!!"

There Seems to be a "Conflict" between the "Practice" & the "Reality" of various "Peaceful Religions!!"

MOST of US are Confused!!

& SO IT IS, in Humankind, we Just Can't seem to find "Peace!!"

Doc

[little jeremiah]

said all conflicts should be resolved through dialogue.

He shouldn't be preaching that to the US (infidels) but to the terrorists. Maybe they'll change their ways.

Yeah, right.

[mylife]

Here it is Dali Lama misses sex, shoots guns

[WackyKat]

This guy is supposed to be something special? Just sounds like another naive dreamer to me

I've read some of his writings; he's not naive at all,he understands full well what human beings are capable of.