The
global community
We find that the world has grown smaller and the world's
people have become almost one community. Political and military alliances have
created large multinational groups, industry and international trade have produced
a global economy, and worldwide communications are eliminating ancient barriers
of distance, language and race. We are also being drawn together by the grave
problems we face: overpopulation, dwindling natural resources, and an environmental
crisis that threatens our air, water, and trees, along with the vast number of
beautiful life forms that are the very foundation of existence on this small planet
we share.
I believe that to meet the challenge of our times, human beings
will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. Each of us must
learn to work not just for his or her own self, family or nation, but for the
benefit of all mankind. Universal responsibility is the real key to human survival.
It is the best foundation for world peace, the equitable use of natural resources,
and through concern for future generations, the proper care of the environment.
For some time, I have been thinking about how to increase our sense of mutual
responsibility and the altruistic motive from which it derives. Briefly, I would
like to offer my thoughts.
One
human family
Whether we like it or not, we have all been born on this earth
as part of one great human family. Rich or poor, educated or uneducated, belonging
to one nation or another, to one religion or another, adhering to this ideology
or that, ultimately each of us is just a human being like everyone else: we all
desire happiness and do not want suffering. Furthermore, each of us has an equal
right to pursue these goals. Today's world requires that we accept the oneness
of humanity. In the past, isolated communities could afford to think of one another
as fundamentally separate and even existed in total isolation. Nowadays, however,
events in one part of the world eventually affect the entire planet. Therefore
we have to treat each major local problem as a global concern from the moment
it begins. We can no longer invoke the national, racial or ideological barriers
that separate us without destructive repercussions. In the context of our new
interdependence, considering the interests of others is clearly the best form
of self-interest.
I view this fact as a source of hope The necessity for
cooperation can only strengthen mankind, because it helps us recognize that the
most secure foundation for the new world order is not simply broader political
and economic alliances, but rather each individual's genuine practice of love
and compassion. For a better, happier, more stable and civilized future, each
of us must develop a sincere, warm-hearted feeling of brother- and sisterhood.
The medicine
of altruism
In Tibet we say that many illnesses can be cured by the one medicine
of love and compassion. These qualities are the ultimate source of human happiness,
and our need for them lies at the very core of our being. Unfortunately, love
and compassion have been omitted from too many spheres of social interaction for
too long. Usually confined to family and home, their practice in public life is
considered impractical, even naive. This is tragic. In my view, the practice of
compassion is not just a symptom of unrealistic idealism but the most effective
way to pursue the best interests of others as well our own. The more we -- as
a nation, a group or as individuals -- depend upon others, the more it is in our
own best interests to ensure their well-being.
Practicing altruism is the
real source of compromise and cooperation; merely recognizing our need for harmony
is not enough. A mind committed to compassion is like an overflowing reservoir
-- a constant source of energy, determination and kindness. This mind is like
a seed; when cultivated, it gives rise to many other good qualities, such as forgiveness,
tolerance, inner strength and the confidence to overcome fear and insecurity.
The compassionate mind is like an elixir; it is capable of transforming bad situations
into beneficial ones. Therefore we should not limit our expressions of love and
compassion to our family and friends. Nor is compassion only the responsibility
of clergy, health care and social workers. It is the necessary business of every
part of the human community.
Whether a conflict lies in the field of politics,
business or religion, an altruistic approach is frequently the sole means of resolving
it. Sometimes the very concepts we use to mediate a dispute are themselves the
cause of the problem. At such times, when a resolution seems impossible, both
sides should recall the basic human nature that unites them. This will help break
the impasse and, in the long run, make it easier for everyone to attain their
goal. Although neither side may be fully satisfied, if both make concessions,
at the very least, the danger of further conflict will be averted. We all know
that this form of compromise is the most effective way of solving problems --
why, then, do we not use it more often?
When I consider the lack of cooperation
in human society, I can only conclude that it stems from ignorance of our interdependent
nature. I am often moved by the example of small insects, such as bees. The laws
of nature dictate that bees work together in order to survive. As a result, they
possess an instinctive sense of social responsibility. They have no constitution,
laws, police, religion or moral training, but because of their nature they labor
faithfully together. Occasionally they may fight, but in general the whole colony
survives on the basis of cooperation. Human beings, on the other hand, have constitutions,
vast legal systems and police forces; we have religion, remarkable intelligence
and a heart with a great capacity to love. But despite our many extraordinary
qualities, in actual practice we lag behind those small insects; in some ways,
I feel we are poorer than the bees.
For instance, millions of people live
together in large cities all over the world, but despite this proximity, many
are lonely. Some do not have even one human being with whom to share their deepest
feelings, and live in a state of perpetual agitation. This is very sad. We are
not solitary animals that associate only in order to mate. If we were, why would
we build large cities and towns? But even though we are social animals compelled
to live together, unfortunately, we lack a sense of responsibility towards our
fellow humans. Does the fault lie in our social architecture - the basic structures
of family and community that support our society? Is it in our external facilities
-- our machines, science and technology? I do not think so.
I believe that
despite the rapid advances made by civilization in this century, the most immediate
cause of our present dilemma is our undue emphasis on material development alone.
We have become so engrossed in its pursuit that, without even knowing it, we have
neglected to foster the most basic human needs of love, kindness, cooperation
and caring. If we do not know someone or find another reason for not feeling connected
with a particular individual or group, we simply ignore them. But the development
of human society is based entirely on people helping each other. Once we have
lost the essential humanity that is our foundation, what is the point of pursuing
only material improvement?
To me, it is clear: a genuine sense of responsibility
can result only if we develop compassion. Only a spontaneous feeling of empathy
for others can really motivate us to act on their behalf. I have explained how
to cultivate compassion elsewhere. For the remainder of this short piece, I would
like to discuss how our present global situation can be improved by greater reliance
on universal responsibility.
Universal
responsibility
First, I should mention that I do not believe in creating movements
or espousing ideologies. Nor do I like the practice of establishing an organization
to promote a particular idea, which implies that one group of people alone is
responsible for the attainment of that goal, while everybody else is exempt. In
our present circumstances, none of us can afford to assume that somebody else
will solve our problems; each of us must take his or her own share of universal
responsibility. In this way, as the number of concerned, responsible individuals
grows, tens, hundreds, thousands or even hundreds of thousands of such people
will greatly improve the general atmosphere. Positive change does not come quickly
and demands ongoing effort. If we become discouraged we may not attain even the
simplest goals. With constant, determined application, we can accomplish even
the most difficult objectives.
Adopting an attitude of universal responsibility
is essentially a personal matter. The real test of compassion is not what we say
in abstract discussions but how we conduct ourselves in daily life. Still, certain
fundamental views are basic to the practice of altruism.
Though no system
of government is perfect, democracy is that which is closest to humanity's essential
nature. Hence those of us who enjoy it must continue to fight for all people's
right to do so. Furthermore, democracy is the only stable foundation upon which
a global political structure can be built. To work as one, we must respect the
right of all peoples and nations to maintain their own distinctive character and
values.
In particular, a tremendous effort will be required to bring compassion
into the realm of international business. Economic inequality, especially that
between developed and developing nations, remains the greatest source of suffering
on this planet. Even though they will lose money in the short term, large multinational
corporations must curtail their exploitation of poor nations. Tapping the few
precious resources such countries possess simply to fuel consumerism in the developed
world is disastrous; if it continues unchecked, eventually we shall all suffer.
Strengthening weak, undiversified economies is a far wiser policy for promoting
both political and economic stability. As idealistic as it may sound, altruism,
not just competition and the desire for wealth, should be a driving force in business.
We also need to renew our commitment to human values in the field of modern
science. Though the main purpose of science is to learn more about reality, another
of its goals is to improve the quality of life. Without altruistic motivation,
scientists cannot distinguish between beneficial technologies and the merely expedient.
The environmental damage surrounding us is the most obvious example of the result
of this confusion, but proper motivation may be even more relevant in governing
how we handle the extraordinary new array of biological techniques with which
we can now manipulate the subtle structures of life itself. If we do not base
our every action on an ethical foundation, we run the risk of inflicting terrible
harm on the delicate matrix of life.
Nor are the religions of the world exempt
from this responsibility The purpose of religion is not to build beautiful churches
or temples, but to cultivate positive human qualities such as tolerance generosity
and love. Every world religion, no matter what its philosophical view, is founded
first and foremost on the precept that we must reduce our selfishness and serve
others. Unfortunately, sometimes religion itself causes more quarrels than it
solves. Practitioners of different faiths should realize that each religious tradition
has immense intrinsic value and the means for providing mental and spiritual health.
One religion, like a single type of food, cannot satisfy everybody. According
to their varying mental dispositions, some people benefit from one kind of teaching,
others from another. Each faith has the ability to produce fine, warmhearted people
and despite their espousal of often contradictory philosophies, all religions
have succeeded in doing so. Thus there is no reason to engage in divisive religious
bigotry and intolerance, and every reason to cherish and respect all forms of
spiritual practice.
Certainly, the most important field in which to sow the
seeds of greater altruism is international relations. In the past few years the
world has changed dramatically. I think we would all agree that the end of the
Cold War and the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet
Union have ushered in a new historical era. As we move through the 1990s it would
seem that human experience in the twentieth century has come full circle.
This has been the most painful period in human history, a time when, because of
the vast increase in the destructive power of weapons, more people have suffered
from and died by violence than ever before. Furthermore, we have also witnessed
an almost terminal competition between the fundamental ideologies that have always
torn the human community: force and raw power on the one hand, and freedom, pluralism,
individual rights and democracy on the other. I believe that the results of this
great competition are now clear. Though the good human spirit of peace, freedom
and democracy still faces many forms of tyranny and evil, it is nevertheless an
unmistakable fact that the vast majority of people everywhere want it to triumph.
Thus the tragedies of our time have not been entirely without benefit, and have
in many cases been the very means by which the human mind has been opened. The
collapse of communism demonstrates this.
Although communism espoused many
noble ideals, including altruism, the attempt by its governing elites to dictate
their views has proved disastrous. These governments went to tremendous lengths
to control the entire flow of information through their societies and to structure
their education systems so that their citizens would work for the common good.
Although rigid organization may have been necessary in the beginning to destroy
previously oppressive regimes, once that goal was fulfilled, the organization
had very little to contribute towards building a useful human community. Communism
failed utterly because it relied on force to promote its beliefs. Ultimately,
human nature was unable to sustain the suffering it produced.
Brute force,
no matter how strongly applied, can never subdue the basic human desire for freedom.
The hundreds of thousands of people who marched in the cities of Eastern Europe
proved this. They simply expressed the human need for freedom and democracy. It
was very moving. Their demands had nothing whatsoever to do with some new ideology;
these people simply spoke from their hearts, sharing their desire for freedom,
demonstrating that it stems from the core of human nature. Freedom, in fact, is
the very source of creativity for both individuals and society. It is not enough,
as communist systems have assumed, merely to provide people with food, shelter
and clothing. If we have all these things but lack the precious air of liberty
to sustain our deeper nature, we are only half human; we are like animals who
are content just to satisfy their physical needs.
I feel that the peaceful
revolutions in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe have taught us many
great lessons. One is the value of truth. People do not like to be bullied, cheated
or lied to by either an individual or a system. Such acts are contrary to the
essential human spirit. Therefore, even though those who practice deception and
use force may achieve considerable short-term success, eventually they will be
overthrown.
On the other hand, everyone appreciates truth, and respect for
it is really in our blood. Truth is the best guarantor and the real foundation
of freedom and democracy. It does not matter whether you are weak or strong or
whether your cause has many or few adherents, truth will still prevail. The fact
that the successful freedom movements of 1989 and after have been based on the
true expression of people's most basic feelings is a valuable reminder that truth
itself is still seriously lacking in much of our political life. Especially in
the conduct of international relations we pay very little respect to truth. Inevitably,
weaker nations are manipulated and oppressed by stronger ones, just as the weaker
sections of most societies suffer at the hands of the more affluent and powerful.
Though in the past, the simple expression of truth has usually been dismissed
as unrealistic, these last few years have proved that it is an immense force in
the human mind and, as a result, in the shaping of history.
A second great
lesson from Eastern Europe has been that of peaceful change. In the past, enslaved
peoples often resorted to violence in their struggle to be free. Now, following
in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr., these peaceful
revolutions offer future generations a wonderful example of successful, nonviolent
change. When in the future major changes in society again become necessary, our
descendants will be able to look back on the present time as a paradigm of peaceful
struggle, a real success story of unprecedented scale, involving more than a dozen
nations and hundreds of millions of people. Moreover, recent events have shown
that the desire for both peace and freedom lies at the most fundamental level
of human nature and that violence is its complete antithesis.
Before considering
what kind of global order would serve us best in the post-Cold War period, I think
it is vital to address the question of violence, whose elimination at every level
is the necessary foundation for world peace and the ultimate goal of any international
order.