Three Main Commitments in Life
Firstly, on the level of a human being,
His Holiness’ first commitment is the promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment
and self-discipline. All human beings are the same. We all want happiness and do not want suffering. Even
people who do not believe in religion recognize the importance of these human values in making their life happier. His
Holiness refers to these human values as secular ethics. He remains committed to talk about the importance of these
human values and share them with everyone he meets.
Secondly, on the level of a religious practitioner,
His Holiness’ second commitment is the promotion of religious harmony and understanding among the world’s major
religious traditions. Despite philosophical differences, all major world religions have the same potential to create
good human beings. It is therefore important for all religious traditions to respect one another and recognize the value
of each other’s respective traditions. As far as one truth, one religion is concerned, this is relevant on an
individual level. However, for the community at large, several truths, several religions are necessary.
Thirdly, His Holiness is a Tibetan and carries
the name of the ‘Dalai Lama’. Tibetans place their trust in him. Therefore, his third commitment is
to the Tibetan issue. His Holiness has a responsibility to act as the free spokesperson of the Tibetans in their struggle
for justice. As far as this third commitment is concerned, it will cease to exist once a mutually beneficial solution
is reached between the Tibetans and Chinese.
However, His Holiness will carry
on with the first two commitments till his last breath.
