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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Dalai Lama’s letter of Congratulations to President Barack Obama.
http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/11/the-dalai-lamas-letter-of-congratulations-to-president-barack-obama/
The Dalai Lamas letter of Congratulations to Barack Obama on his Reelection as President.
Please accept my congratulations on your re-election to the presidency of the United States.
When you were elected in 2008, you inspired the world with a call to take responsibility for the problems we face as global citizens. Since then, you have made earnest efforts to live up to that great hope and trust placed in you by the American public. I believe you have been re-elected now in recognition of that effort.
When you first took office, I remember writing to you that the world places great hope in the democratic vision and leadership of the United States and that I hoped you would be able to shape a more peaceful world, bearing in mind the poverty, injustice and deprivation suffered by billions of people. The need to address these issues remains pressing today.
As you know, it is over a year since I handed over all my political authority to the elected Tibetan leadership, but as just one among the six million Tibetans I want to thank you for your steady encouragement of our efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the problems in Tibet. I am appreciative of your support for our Middle Way Approach, which I continue to believe is the best way for us to ensure a solution that is beneficial for both Tibetans and Chinese. Given the recently deteriorating situation in Tibet, of which the tragic series of self-immolations is a stark symptom, I hope your Administration will be able to take further steps to encourage a mutually acceptable solution.
I am presently on a visit to Japan, and am pleased to send my prayers and good wishes for every success in your second term.
liberal_at_heart
(12,081 posts)Out of all the world religions I identify most with Buddhism. I haven't done any real serious studying as of yet so I don't like to call myself a buddhist, but I do like to think of myself as one. I don't really get into all the mystical beliefs although I do find visualizing a diety pretty effective for meditation. I have to say that I put him right up there with the most important peaceful religious leaders Gandi, Mother Theresa, and Martin Luther King Jr. These people are rare. To truly live up to the practice of patience, kindness, and tolerance. Not many humans on this Earth that can truly practice these principles like they do or did.
trailmonkee
(2,681 posts)Even when they speak of gods, etc, it's seems like the writing treats these things a strictly symbolism to teach concepts and practices..... I am guessing That the reason why you are attracted to Buddhism, is that Buddhism isn't much of a religion in the first place.
liberal_at_heart
(12,081 posts)Maraya1969
(22,500 posts)came there. He said it was like Jesus because he got close to him. He said the Dali Lama had a very wide aura of peace or light or love around him that people just wanted to be close to him and they all just followed him.
I would love to meet the Dali Lama. He is one of me FB friends! He sends out really nice messages.
One that I like since I passed 50 and started worrying about getting older is this:
"If you want to live a long life old age is bound to happen" His Holiness The Dali Lama
I consider myself a Buddhist but not a very good one. But the great thing about Buddhism is they are OK with that! Judgement is not part of their agenda.
renate
(13,776 posts)You haven't passed 50 yet--does that make you feel a little better?
If 1969 is your birth year, you're younger than I am, but if aging is a thing for you, you little whippersnapper, you might still like "Aging as a Spiritual Practice."
Maraya1969
(22,500 posts)But if I was the same age as someone born in 1969 I would still be studying spirituality. I've been involved in it since around age 30. It was after I got away from those mean Christians who tortured my OCD and bipolar self when I was in college. (they can be really cruel to someone who has unwanted thoughts all the time. Finding people who just said, "eh" about it was so relieving that the thoughts just melted away)
dorksied
(348 posts)The book is called "Buddhism Without Beliefs: A contemporary guide to awakening" by Steven Batchelor.
The thing is, the basics of Buddhism can be applied regardless of your religious beliefs in order to attain a higher level of awareness of self, and this book presents a path that can change your life in ways I never thought possible. I highly recommend you read it.
Cha
(297,692 posts)from the Dalai Lama to Pres Obama.