Interview with the Dalai Lama from John Hick View Point - Essay Example

Interview with the Dalai Lama from John Hick View Point Over theyears, different religions have been made a point of debate and discussion by the theologians. Herein, it should be marked that pluralism has shed a very tolerant eye on different religions of the world. Talking about the famous pluralist, John Hicks have been well known for his viewpoints and extensive study about differently truthful statements that are provided within the guides of different religions of the world. It will not be wrong to state that Dalai Lama has been a prominent figure in the vantage point of view of John Hicks. In other words, it can be said that John Hicks has an attitude of giving consideration to different beliefs and truth statements of a variety of religions that are yet a prominent base in the perspective of Dalai Lama’s teachings. For the purpose of this paper, an interview with Dalai Lama has been well assessed and interpreted through the viewpoint of famous pluralist namely John Hicks. Furthermore, the paper will also include a number of stances that prove the agreement of John Hicks with Dalai Lama’s view of practicing different religions for having primary accounts and address of truth. The interview with Dalai Lama tells the whole story in a very detailed manner. The history of Dalai Lama states that he was the spiritual, political leader and Buddhist monk of Tibet. He got his educational degrees from Tibet and his degrees were equivalent to doctorate of Buddhist philosophy. The characteristics of a belief neither establish nor neutralize its truth (Cutler). While taking a view on the interview with Dalai Lama it explicitly states that though, he is a Buddhist, but he believes that a simple and true religion exists in kindness. He thinks that a good heart, good spirit, good behavior and good attitude are most important elements in the human’s life (Cutler). Following the religious and moral norms is not enough it should be in the heart of each person this is true that the practice does matter. It brings realization and help in making strong religious believe but still kindness, love and respect is more important for human beings (Cutler). His main focus is on compassion where he thinks that if any human being wants to live a happy life than he suggests practice compassion in order to remain happy and make others happy (Cutler). He says that he will never force humans to accept his spiritual practices and religion. Because he thinks that he is a simple Buddhist monk who is not God at all (Cutler). His work is to spread message of peace. In one of his speech, he discussed that people who are suffering from any problem and issue is caused by selfishness, greed and ignorance (Cutler). He thinks that if people start resolving human-created problems than it can be possible that inner peace can be achieved by cultivation of altruism, love, kindness, compassion, good attitude and good heart (Cutler). He thinks that there must be each person should continue a search for ultimate truth as it is a vitally important (Cutler). According to Dalai Lama, Buddhism does not promote blind faith and the extremism that can be developed from exclusivism. It is also wrong if any religion considers that the definitive truth is only in that particular religion, and it creates conflict between other religions. Although, there are some universal similarities found in all religions (Velez de Cea). The idea of religious pluralism has constructive value and positivity on ground level. There must be an acknowledgment about religious tradition’s diversification. Pluralism should coexist in respect of each other in order to develop a better world where peace and compassionate humanity exist (Velez de Cea). On the other side, while talking about John Hick, who is the critics of pluralism, he has developed a broad pluralist point of view. John Hick’s pluralist hypothesis initially presented as something, which could hold the idea of a God of love, and salvation plans universally. Later on, he became a religious pluralism. When, he started criticizing the religious leaders. He critically analyzes the perspective of the Dalai Lama from the vantage point of his pluralistic hypothesis. Hick describes the strengths and weaknesses of Dalai Lama, which shows his approach towards world religions (Velez de Cea). Hick’s point of view states that there are many different ways to experience life and to live in relation with any religion is the ultimate divine. Hick does not have firm believe on the statement by Dalai Lama that there are similarities exist in all religions (Velez de Cea). He thinks that all religions cannot be true at the same point because there are vast differences found in the fundamental approaches of each religion (Velez de Cea). Furthermore, Dalai Lama affirms that the spiritual faiths cannot be same among all the philosophies must differ on a particular point. Like Buddhist does not have believed that the soul goes into the heaven, whereas, Christians base on this approach that their souls move to the heaven. This theory creates this perception that significant difference is there in all the world’s religions that are concerning the nature and the ultimate reality theory (Velez de Cea). There is another aspect about pluralism that all the world’s religions can bring salvation as well as liberation. Where, salvation is the transformation. This transformation from self-centeredness to reality-centeredness called basics of salvation, and there is no such religion, which can change the transformation (Velez de Cea). There are myths on which people believe and consider it as part of their religion. Such myths are related to the real, and now no one can think in non-mythological term. It is the point that Hick does not properly understand, and he does not support relativism of all religions equal validity. For Hick, the salvific transformation is not very much special to a particular tradition (Velez de Cea). Hick has a concept and knowledge about Real in which he believes there is only one God exists. Whereas, Buddhist claims differently on this truth as they follow their many spiritual Gods. Moreover, he has a firm believe on it that real cannot be experienced. However, there are some similarities between Hick’s pluralistic hypothesis, Buddhism religion and Buddha’s view about religious diversity. Hick and Buddha religion they both understand the existence of reality (Velez de Cea). They both believe in several traditions reality can be found. In other words, it is also true that Hick’s understanding about reality is such a different thing. Because he believes that the ultimate reality is a transcendent reality, this phenomenon is beyond the perception of many Buddhist and other pluralists (Velez de Cea). It can be stated after noticing accord between John Hick and the Dalai Lama that both of these men putted so much stress to the plurality of the world’s religions and the fundamental value in their lives (Velez de Cea). Hick called himself a Christian, but he has respect about Buddhist religion. Similarly, Dalai Lama also called him a Christian with Buddhist receptiveness after noticing his demonstration about religions (Velez de Cea). On the contrary, it is also true that their vision about religions goes beyond the totality of a men’s believe about religion and its religious background. As the Dalai Lama came from a non-theistic background, whereas, John hick came from a theistic background but still they had so much similar grounds in their views and believe (Velez de Cea). Hick also supports philosophical religions, so, on some points he agrees and appreciates Dalai Lama for spreading the message of peace, love and compassion. Hick being a Christian also thinks that there is no God exist on earth and Dalai Lama is also a human being. If religious leaders spread the message of peace then there is number of followers surely considers it and then the problems would be minimized from the world (Velez de Cea). In conclusion, based on John Hick’s viewpoint and the interview with Dalai Lama could be suggested that it apparently helps to analyze that Dalai Lama is a peace setter who is Buddhist leader and famous in Buddhist community; people follow him, love him and have faith on him. He promotes peace and tries to find out similarities in between other religions and Buddhism. He is not an extremist and don’t promote fanaticism. Thus, it creates an optimistic impact of Dalai Lama on John Hick, so, he gives optimistic remarks about Dalai Lama and he supports his views and his efforts. However, it is also noticed that Hick’s pluralism also competes with reality of Buddhism and other religious traditions. Though he belongs from different religion but he got impressed from teachings by Dalai Lama. Although Hick was a religious pluralist, he did not agree with Buddhist concepts because his concept of the “Real” challenge Buddhists claim about their Gods and religious practices. Works Cited Cutler, Howard. The art of happiness : a handbook for living. Sydney: Hodderheadline, 2003. Print. Velez de Cea, Abraham. The Buddha and Religious Diversity. New York: Routledge, 2013. Print. Read More