In today's internetted world, the news is already old enough to be absent from Yahoo's headlines for the day: "Dalai Lama banned from peace conference in South Africa." It's all I can do just to write those words on the screen. It makes my stomach hurt to see them.So, this news makes today a good time for us to Be Peaceful and to look clear-eyed at this wrongdoing by the South African government, to pity the people who made this decision based on their cowardice and lack of humanitarian and spiritual values.
Now more than ever, we should Be Peace, as so many wise teachers have instructed. We should not waste time, breath or energy in criticism of leaders who have lost their way, but instead should turn anew to the Dalai Lama's teachings on peace and forgiveness. We should direct our light toward his spirit and his life-saving, life-giving work of peace. More than ever, it is a time for each of us to Be Peace, remembering that Peace is not the easiest way. It is the best way.
"I pray for all of us, oppressor and friend, that together we succeed in building a better world through human under-standing and love, and that in doing so we may reduce the pain and suffering of all sentient beings."
--The Dali Lama, from his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech.
Image, copyright Ysabel de la Rosa, all rights reserved.
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