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Title: Beyond Dogma: Dialogues & Discourses by Dalai Lama, Alison Anderson, Marianne Dresser, Dalai Lama, Steven Goodman, Andrew Harvey ISBN: 1-55643-218-6 Publisher: North Atlantic Books Pub. Date: June, 1996 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.95

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Average Customer Rating: 5 (3 reviews)

Rating: 5
Summary: Before the Reformation and Religious Reliance
Comment: Cavemen at one time had no religion but mere observations about their world with which to determine how they would treat each other, their world, and the other animals on earth with them. They had no benefit of religious interpretation, from any sect, no corporate guidance, or training, and no organized government to determine the sense of justice, or how to increase it. Yet, they survived! We know they survived because we live today. If we cannot improve on the efforts cave men used to define their world, we would be more ignorant than we think they were. In fact, they may have been smarter, or lived in a less complex world, for now the complexity we have does not assure a good result, nor one humane for today's world. To prevent going backwards rather than forwards, it may be necessary to contain religious ritual and dogma in a place reserved for personal belief, which we go beyond religion, or transcend it, to deal with the many different groups that man up the world, some religious, some not. Only government can do that, based upon personal responsibility simpy by recognizing that man is alive and is a part of the entire human race alive during his life. Conscientious development is the only reality and logic that makes sense to be all inclusive. Choosing the humanity of life, rather than the scorekeeping of religious dogma is required to maintain both order and morality since morality is uniquely clannish arising as it does from whichever religious sect imposes it. The doctrine of fairness and recognition requires that we reach beyond the narrow confines of different religions to see the world that exits around it in a mission of world survival, undaunted by tribal concerns and secular groups that are the unique styles of those particular groups. Ignoring religion may be much more important than ignoring humanity.

Rating: 5
Summary: An amazing book by an amazing man
Comment: After reading two books by the Dalai Lama, I can honestly say I would rather meet this one person more than anyone else alive today. He is an incredible man who has gone through many hardships but continues to have a positive outlook on humanity and even the men who occupy his country to this day.

You do not have to be Buddhist or even religious at all to gain a lot of insight from Beyond Dogma. As the title of the book implies, he really is the prime example of tolerance. He suggests it might be better for some people not to get stuck up on ceremonies or tradition and focus on what is important instead. Most religions at the heart are found on kindness, generosity, and humility. In fact, he speaks of several priests who took Buddhist vows but remained Christians because in essence, these virtues do not conflict. So he reaches out to people of all backgrounds. Part of this tolerance is because much of Buddhism does not require the same leaps of faith as other religions. You can reason through most of his discussions; you do not have to immerse yourself in scripture to understand what he says. He describes Buddhism as the Middle Way - between faith-based religion and secular philosophy - making it accessible to everyone.

His most recent book, the Art of Happiness, was very popular for its life-changing aspects. In addition to his sagely advice, this work also deals with international relations amongst differing religions and governments. Not surprising since it was written shortly after the Dalai Lama won the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize and consists of interviews while visiting France in addition to narratives. He embraces the idea of a 'New World Order' like few other modern leaders have had the bravery to do.

The Dalai Lama is not a religious icon hidden away from the world; he discusses real-life problems in a modern society that is far removed from the mystical city of Lhasa. Meanwhile, he can still apply a wealth of knowledge from a vast amount of information from many fields. If you are anxious to learn more about Buddhism, Tibet, the East, or the Dalai Lama himself, this is a great book to own yourself or to give to curious friends.

Rating: 5
Summary: My own spiritiual quest started here...
Comment: Browsing through a bookshelf with only the most vague notion of what I was looking for, my eyes were caught by the simple and yet powerful title of this book. At the time, I had little idea of what Buddhism was, and yet the title itself conveyed to me everything that seemed wrong with the religon of my upbringing.

Beyond Dogma is an inciteful and well-written treatise. It is one of my favorites written by the Dalai Lama, and the translation provides great clarity to his words. The autobiographical background of the Dalai Lama and the last fifty years in Tibet is in excellent context with the nature of Tibetan Buddhism. An excellent and easy read that is light on the complex theory and heavy on warmth and understanding.