The Dalai Lama interview

The exiled Dalai Lama, who was the first Dalai Lama to visit the West, recently gave an interview to the London Daily Times.

Of fundamentalists he said: "Fundamentalism is terrifying because it is based purely on emotion, rather than intelligence. It prevents followers from thinking as individuals and about the good of the world."

He was speaking of Muslim fundamentalist terrorists, but his words would apply to any other religious fundamentalists, too.

Of Westerners he said: "It is fascinating. In the West, you have bigger homes, yet smaller families; you have endless conveniences — yet you never seem to have any time. You can travel anywhere in the world, yet you don't bother to cross the road to meet your neighbours.

"I don't think people have become more selfish, but their lives have become easier and that has spoilt them. They have less resilience, they expect more, they constantly compare themselves to others and they have too much choice — which brings no real freedom."

Buddha | Buddhism | Dalai Lama | Tibet