Greeting Message by H.H. The Dalai Lama

THE DALAI LAMA

MESSAGE

All of us have been born on this earth as part of one great human family. Like members of any ordinary family we have our own personalities, and with them our differing talents, interests and culture. Yet each of us is just a human being like everyone else. We all desire happiness and do not want suffering. What is more, each of us has an equal right to pursue these goals.

People have talked about justice, peace and harmony tor centuries, but little is achieved simply by talk, change is achieved by action. The ultimate purpose of Buddhism is to serve and benefit humanity. Converting other people to Buddhism is unimportant in comparison with the contribution we Buddhists can make to human society according to our own ideas. The Buddha gave us an example of contentment and tolerance, through serving others unselfishly. His teaching is essentially to help others if you can and if you cannot, at least not to harm them.

I am often asked whether the teachings and techniques of Buddhism continue to be relevant in the present day and age. Like all religions, Buddhism deals with basic human problems. So long as we continue to experience the basic human sufferings of birth, disease, old age, and death, there is no question of its relevance. The key is inner peace. If we have that we can face difficulties with calm and reason, while keeping our inner happiness. The teachings of love, kindness aud tolerance, the conduct of nonviolence, and especially the Buddhist theory that all things are relative are a source of that inner peace.

I am happy to learn that the European Buddhist Union is holding their 2005 Annual General Meeting in Szczecin, Poland from September 23 to 25, 2005. I offer my greetings to all participants as well as my sincere prayers that your conference may be successful in contributing to a more peaceful and happier world.

THE DALAI LAMA

September 17, 2005