A Message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Harmful actions and their tragic consequences all have their origin in disturbing emotions and negative thoughts, and these are a state of mind, whose potential we find within all human beings. From this point of view, every one of us has the potential to commit crimes, because we are all subject to negative disturbing emotions and negative mental qualities. And we will not overcome these by executing other people..
The death penalty .. is very clearly a form of revenge. It is an especially severe form of punishment because it is so final. The human life is ended and the executed person is deprived of the opportunity to change, to restore the harm done or compensate for it. Before advocating execution we should consider whether criminals are intrinsically negative and harmful people or whether they will remain perpetually in the same state of mind in which they committed their crime or not. The answer, I believe, is definitely not. However horrible the act they have committed, I believe that everyone has the potential to improve and correct themselves. Therefore, I am optimistic that it remains possible to deter criminal activity, and prevent such harmful consequences of such acts in society, without having to resort to the death penalty.
My overriding belief is that it is always possible for criminals to improve and that by its very finality the death penalty contradicts this. Therefore, I support those organizations and individuals who are trying to bring an end to the use of the death penalty.
Today, in many societies very little importance is placed on education or the development of human values through social programs and entertainment. In fact, if we take television programming as an example, violence, including killing, is regarded as having a high entertainment value. This is indicative of how misguided we have become.
I believe human beings are not violent by nature. Unlike lions and tigers, we are not naturally equipped to kill with sharp teeth and claws. From a Buddhist viewpoint, I believe that the basic nature of every sentient being is pure, that the deeper nature of mind is something pure. Human beings become violent because of negative thoughts which arise as a result of their environment and circumstances.
I wholeheartedly support an appeal to those countries who at present employ the death penalty to observe an unconditional moratorium. At the same time we should give more support to education and encourage a greater sense of universal responsibility. We need to explain the importance of the practice of love and compassion for our own survival and to try to minimize those conditions which foster murderous tendencies, such as the proliferation of weapons in our societies. These are things even private individuals can work towards. — Tenzin Gyatso
Being and Emptiness
Mother’s Day Sermon
Yockey, Cytochrome C and Buddhist Cosmology
Who Are The Sentient Beings?
A Buddhist perspective on stem-cell research
All Sentient Beings
What Difference does Religious Plurality Make?
Opening the Doors of Perception
All Sentient Beings?
Being and Emptiness: Buddhist Perspectives on Compassion
Was the Tsunami Caused by Karma?
Vegetarian Advocates How to Benefit Animals
Zen Buddhist Perspectives on Modern Education
Caring for Pets in Everyday Life and at Their Death
Filial Piety in Early Buddhism
Kyabje Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche
Buddhist Perspectives on the Use of Force
Maria-Kannon: A Focal Point for Buddhist Christian Interactions
The Practice of Saving Lives
Prolife, Prochoice: Buddhism and Reproductive Ethics
Evolution is no Threat to Buddhism
Purification for Animals
How do we feel about Buddhadharma
Buddhist Practice
When Does a Stem Cell Become a Human Being?
Birds
Buddhist Beliefs, Practices and Experiences
The Status of Animals: Philosophical and Ethical Aspects
Buddhist Doctrine and the Culture of Peace
Transforming Depression
Buddhist Quotes Meat-Eating & Vegetarianism
Buddhistic revelation to the modern world
The history of animal rights
A Short Teaching on the Medicine Buddha
Three Myths of the Spiritual Life
Buddhism and Animal Rights – an interview with Dr Tony Page
What it takes to be Buddhist
The great compassion Buddhism and animals
Tibetan Buddhists move towards vegetarianism
The Buddhist Diet
Spiritual Practice for a Global Sangha
The Actualization of Enlightenment by Eihei Dogen
The Heart of the Buddhist View
Questions & Answers With ZaChoeje Rinpoche
Key Message of Diamond Sutra
Nonviolence in Tibetan Culture
A Brief Teaching on Refuge
Animal Liberating Ceremony
Art as a means of spiritual elevation
Benefits of Liberating Animals
Why do Buddhists practise life liberation
Advice on Benefiting Animals
Buddhist Principles
Buddhist Theory of Kamma
Using Sickness for the Path