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His Holiness the Dalai Lama stands as a living Chenrezig icon for the world as well as for Tibet, an embodiment of compassion, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to peace. One of the core principles he consistently emphasizes is religious pluralism: the deep belief that every person should be allowed choose their own spiritual path, practices, and purpose, but also that their birth traditions should remain appreciated and honored.
In today’s world, where communities of diverse traditions now live side by side in every major city, His Holiness teaches that it is no longer wise, and may even be dangerous, for organized religions to compete for followers or “market share.”
He often vows in public teachings that he never teaches with the intention of “converting” anyone to Buddhism. Instead, he encourages people to use their intelligent wisdom to develop their spirituality from every useful source, but then integrate whatever they learn into their birth religion’s cultural tradition and to remain devoted to the faith of their ancestors, “their grandmother’s religion,” as he often says.
Even for those who choose to formally become Buddhist, to take refuge in the Three Jewels, His Holiness teaches that they should remain completely faithful to the spirit of their original tradition, always with humility and never with disrespect.
While this teaching may seem unusual coming from within a Buddhist context, it reflects the deeper heart of Buddhism Beyond Buddhism, a practice of awakening that transcends labels, honors all sincere spiritual paths, and places the well-being of humanity above institutional identity. In this light then, I will approach the process of “taking refuge in the Three Precious Jewels, Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha,” the door of Buddhism spirituality, from my current understanding of His Holiness’ exceptional approach to 21st century Buddhism and spirituality in general.
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Give what you can. No one turned away.
About Robert A. F. Thurman
