Transcript Religious-diversity_.. - People at Creighton University

Dalai Lama on inclusivism
 Dalai Lama - the Buddhist spiritual leader of
Tibetin peoples. The present leader is Tenzin
Gyatso. The office dates from the 15th century.
 Is it possible for Christianity & Buddhism to
be integrated?
Yes - they can exist side by side with no
conflict
No - it is not possible to create some sort
of composite religion made up of
Christianity & Buddhism
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Dalai Lama on inclusivism
 There are some commonalities between all of
the major religions
All the major world religions are directed
at the achievement of permanent human
happiness.
All teach that religious persons must strive
to become better human beings (536).
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Dalai Lama on inclusivism
 But there are also differences
Judaism, Christianity, & Islam hold that
God is the creator of all
Buddhism - the universe does not have a
first cause; hence it does not have a
creator; and there is no permanent,
primordially pure being (536).
But the purpose of these doctrines is to
become better human persons and to find
happiness. This is shared by Christianity &
Buddhism.
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Dalai Lama on inclusivism
 The variety of world religions is good; there is
beauty in variety.
 Should we try to convert members of other
religons?
No. We should advise them to follow their
own paths as sincerely & truthfully as
possible (537).
 He closes with a touch of exclusivism:
liberation in the Buddhist sense is explained
only in the Buddhist scriptures & achieved only
in Buddhist practice (538).
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