MB Civic

Phayul, Friday, November 10, 2006
By Tsering Tsomo

Tokyo, Japan, November 10 – His Holiness
the Dalai Lama said Friday that secularism
is the basis of all religions.

“Secularism does not mean rejection of all
religions. It means respect for all religions
and human beings including nonbelievers,”
he said speaking to a crowd of 8,000
Japanese and foreigners at Ryogoku-
Kokugikan stadium in Tokyo.

“I am talking to you not as a Tibetan or a
Buddhist but as a human being having a
friendly discussion and sharing my
experiences on the benefits of cultivating
basic human values.”

The exile Tibetan leader in his lecture on “A
Good Heart – The key to Health and
Happiness” emphasized on cultivating
secular ethics which he said has nothing to
do with religion but benefits all human
beings. He said strengthening inner values
of warmheartedness and compassion
benefits both believers and non-believers
in leading a happy and meaningful life.

Underlining the importance of internal and
external values for a happy life, he said
Japan has the potential to combine both
values with its rich spiritual tradition and
technological progress. “You have a rich
spiritual tradition. The Shinto values of
protecting nature and respect for the
environment are relevant to this day.
Buddhism as Japan’s traditional religion
teaches humane values.”

Responding to a question from the
audience, he said Japan is the most
relevant nation in taking the lead towards
abolition of nuclear weapons as the
country had suffered the deadly impacts of
history’s first nuclear weapon. He also
called for a complete ban on arms sale
especially to undemocratic nations.

“Peace does not mean absence of conflicts.
Differences will always be there. Peace
means solving these differences through
peaceful means; through dialogue,
education, knowledge; through humane
ways,” the Dalai Lama said amidst a
thunderous applause.

To a request from the audience to hold the
next Kalachakra teachings in Japan, the
Dalai Lama said it could be organized if
there were sufficient interests among the
people.

Friday’s event was organized by the Tokyo-based Liaison Office of H.H. the Dalai Lama
for Japan and East Asia.