The Wisdom of Forgiveness
ISBN 0733619134 Hodder RRP$24.95
Release November 2004
When Victor Chan first visited the Dalai Lama in the 1970s, he assumed that, since he is a member of the race responsible for destroying Tibet, the Dalai Lama would treat him with disdain. Instead, they developed a close relationship, out of which Victor was able to pose some of the most personal questions ever asked of or answered by the Dalai Lama.
From the conversations in The Wisdom of Forgiveness, we discover under which circumstances the Dalai Lama believes he could be capable of violence; how the experience of profound spiritual insight feels in the body and mind; how he learned to love those who anyone else would consider an enemy; what his personal fears are; what the heart of a holy man looks like in medical tests; and how a highly developed spiritual person experiences pain. This is the most intimate conversation yet with the world’s most famous holy man.
‘So being able to forgive your enemies can make a difference to one’s spiritual progress?’ I asked the Dalai Lama.
‘Yes, yes, there is no doubt,’ he replied. ‘It’s crucial. It’s one of the most important things. It can change one’s life. To reduce hatred and other destructive emotions, you must develop their opposites—compassion and kindness. If you have strong compassion, strong respect for others, then forgiveness is much easier. Mainly for this reason: I do not want to harm another. Forgiveness allows you to be in touch with these positive emotions. This will help with spiritual development.’
—from The Wisdom of Forgiveness
Author Info
The Dalai Lama is one of the world’s greatest spiritual leaders. The recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and many other international awards, he is consulted by presidents and superstars but remains devoted to social justice and to the spiritual welfare of the world.
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