..续本文上一页 even a little lie can help. For example, a dear friend or a parent in a distant country might be seriously ill or nearly dying and you know that. But you also know that if you tell another person that their parent is about to die, that person will become so upset and worried, they might faint. So you say, “They”re OK.” If you are a hundred percent caring not to upset the other person, then in such case, although a lie from the point of view of one”s own interests is unethical, yet from the point of view of the other, it may be most appropriate.

　　Violent versus Nonviolent Methods

　　So, how best to help others

　　 That”s difficult. We need wisdom; we need clear awareness of the circumstances; and we need flexibility to use different methods according to different circumstances. And most importantly, our motivation: we need to have a sincere sense of concern for others.

　　For example, whether a method is violent or nonviolent depends very much on motivation. Although telling a white lie is, itself, violent, but according to the motivation it might be a method to help others. So, from that point of view, it”s a nonviolent method. On the other hand, if we want to exploit others and so we give them a gift, in appearance it”s nonviolent; but ultimately, since we want to cheat the other person and exploit them, it”s a violent method. So, violent or nonviolent also depends on motivation. All human actions depend on motivation. It also somewhat depends on the goal; but if our aim is just the goal and our motivation is anger, then this is difficult. So, ultimately, motivation is most important.

　　Interreligious Harmony

　　As for what to bring home with you from our discussions here, the important thing is to try to develop inner peace. This we must think about and bring about within ourselves. In addition, if there are some in the audience who follow a religion and are believers, one of my main emphases is always on interreligious harmony. I think all major religions, maybe not so much minor ones that worship the sun and the moon – they don”t have much philosophy – but most major religions have some philosophy or theology. And because their religion is based on a certain philosophy, it”s been maintained for thousands of years. But despite different philosophies, all religions consider the topmost practice to be the practice of love and compassion.

　　With compassion, a sense of forgiveness comes automatically, and then tolerance and contentment. With these three factors, there”s satisfaction. This is common to all religions. These are also important for extending the basic human values we”ve been talking about. So in this regard, all our religions are helpful in the sense that they promote what is the basis of our happiness, namely leading an ethical life. Therefore, since all religions carry the same message, all of them have the same potential to help humanity.

　　At different times, in different locations, different teachings have come about. That”s necessary. These different times and locations and different ways of life evolved because of environmental differences, and because of that, differences in religion developed. For each of those times, certain religious ideas were suitable and [were therefore adopted]. Because of that, thousand-year old religions each have their own traditions. We need this variety of rich traditions: they serve all different types of people. One religion can”t suit and serve all.

　　At the time of Buddha, there were already many non-Buddhist traditions in India. Buddha didn”t attempt to convert all Indians to Buddhism. Other religions were OK. Occasionally, they did have some debate among them. Especially after Buddha, masters for many centuries debated each other. These debates are very helpful, especially in the field of epistemology. One scholar from another tradition critically examines the philosophy and views of a different religion and this causes everybody to think about their own religions and their own traditions and debate. So, naturally it brings about progress. In some cases, perhaps there was a little violence involved in these debates and that”s unfortunate; but, in general, it was a healthy development.

　　India, then, is a very good example of real religious tolerance that has lasted through centuries as a tradition itself; and it”s still alive in India. This is a good model for the rest of the world.

　　In ancient times, people were isolated, so OK. But now we are in different circumstances. For instance London – it”s almost a multi-religious society. Religious tolerance, then, is very important. So those of you with faith in a religion: harmony and tolerance are very important. When you have an opportunity, make contributions in this regard.

《How To Lead an Ethical Life》全文阅读结束。