"Even people who do not believe in religion recognise the importance of these human values in making their lives happier." The Dalai Lama
His presence is beyond description but the most striking aspect is the way he embodies what he speaks, as a living example of how we all can be, if we develop positive human values.
A short video with his message of peace was shown with different celebrities supporters of the Tibetan spiritual leader, including Stella McCartney and Tilda Swinton, reading a collection of mission statements.
The Dalai Lama said the previous century was marred by bloodshed and this should be a century of dialogue that leads to peace. He also promotes religious harmony and understanding amongst different religious traditions, defending a secular education of core moral ethics and principles.
He said the current economic climate was caused by greed and the lack of an holistic and long term view, underlining the need to combine human intelligence with warm-heartedness. I have to mention the film Happy by director Roko Belic, who travelled around the world to find out what makes people happy.
This research came from the recognition that the richest countries on earth are not necessarily the happiest. The message of the Dalai Lama is of inner peace and inner beauty. Stand Up and Be the Change ask young people and all of us to make positive contributions to the times in which we live.
"Be the change you want to see in the world." Mahatma Ghandi
The Dalai Lama has always been a believer in the power of the individual. "Throughout human history, many of the great developments that have helped change the course of humanity have emerged through the initiative of individuals.
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| Mahatma Gandhi |
Whether it was William Wilberforce's campaign to abolish the slave trade, Mahatma Gandhi's non violent freedom movement in India, Martin Lurther King Jr.'s civil rights movement, or my fellow Nobel Peace Laureate Jody William's campaign for the banning of anti-personnel land mines, in each case the inspiration came from individuals."
You cannot help but to be inspired and moved the Dalai Lama's words and joyful attitude. As a woman says in Road to Peace, a documentary film by Leon Stuparich, he is so human and so divine!
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