Two Present Day Spiritual Leaders | | With the death of Pope Francis last week, the world lost another of its major spiritual leaders. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, another great spiritual leader, offered prayers and condolences to Pope Francis’s spiritual brothers, sisters and to his followers around the world, saying, “His Holiness Pope Francis dedicated himself to the service of others, consistently revealing by his own actions, how to live a simple, but meaningful life. The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm-hearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can.” | | |
Because of delicate political issues, the Dalai Lama and Pope Francis never met face to face, but the relationship between the two religious leaders was marked by mutual respect. Both men advocated for interfaith dialogue and compassion across religious boundaries. The Dalai Lama’s message emphasizes what he saw as Pope Francis’s essential teaching: that service to others represents the highest spiritual calling.
Their paths first nearly crossed in 2014, when the Dalai Lama visited Rome to attend a meeting of Nobel Peace Prize laureates. He requested a private audience with Pope Francis. The Vatican declined, citing diplomatic sensitivities with China. At the time, the Pope was engaged in delicate negotiations with the Chinese government regarding the status and future of the Catholic Church in China—a country where the Catholic Church faces significant restrictions and persecution. Because China views the Dalai Lama as a symbol of Tibetan separatism and a political threat and when foreign leaders meet with him, the Chinese government often reacts by cutting diplomatic and economic ties.
The Vatican’s decision not to meet the Dalai Lama sparked disappointment among many, as it seemed to contradict the universal values both leaders champion. The Dalai Lama, ever graceful, expressed understanding. “I respect the Vatican's decision,” he said at the time, “but my message of compassion and love remains the same.” For years, their relationship remained one of mutual admiration from afar. Pope Francis often referenced Buddhist teachings in his writings and sermons, highlighting the importance of mindfulness and interconnectedness. The Dalai Lama, in turn, spoke warmly of the Pope's humility and his commitment to addressing global inequality.
| | Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama, while representing different religious traditions—Catholicism and Tibetan Buddhism—have expressed strong alignment on several global and philosophical issues. | | |
Pope Francis:
“If we want to build peace, we must be people of peace and compassion.”
“Let us learn to live with kindness, to love everyone, even when they do not love us.”
“A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.”
"The world tells us to seek success, power and money; God tells us to seek humility,
service and love.”
“To love God and neighbor is not something abstract, but profoundly concrete: it means
seeing in every person the face of the Lord to be served.”
“Tenderness is not weakness; it is strength. It is the path of solidarity, the path of humility.”
| | |
The Dalai Lama:
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy,
practice compassion.”
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity
cannot survive.”
“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”
“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them,
at least don't hurt them.”
“Compassion is the radicalism of our time.”
“We can live without religion and meditation, but we cannot survive without
human affection.”
| |
|
COMPASSION
USUALLY, OUR CONCEPT
OF COMPASSION OR LOVE REFERS
TO THE FEELING OF CLOSENESS
WE HAVE WITH OUR FRIENDS AND
LOVED ONES. SOMETIMES
COMPASSION ALSO CARRIES A
SENSE OF PITY. THIS IS WRONG.
ANY LOVE OR COMPASSION WHICH
ENTAILS LOOKING DOWN ON THE OTHER
IS NOT GENUINE COMPASSION.
TO BE GENUINE, COMPASSION MUST
BE BASED ON RESPECT FOR THE OTHER
AND ON THE REALIZATION THAT OTHERS
HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE HAPPY AND
OVERCOME SUFFERING, JUST
AS MUCH AS YOU. ON THIS BASIS,
SINCE YOU CAN SEE THAT OTHERS ARE
SUFFERING, YOU CAN DEVELOP A GENUINE SENSE OF CONCERN FOR THEM.
H.H. THE XIVTH DALAI LAMA
On sale: 9in.x 16in. cloth scroll - $8
| | | | |
|
THE TRUE MEANING OF LIFE
We are visitors on this planet
We are here for ninety
or one hundred years
at the very most.
During that period,
we must try to do something
good, something useful
with our lives.
If you contribute to other
people's happiness, you will
find the true meaning of life.
H.H. The 14th Dalai Lama
On sale: 9in.x16in. cloth scroll - $8
| | | | | |
Peace and Nonviolence
Pope Francis:
“Peace is a gift of God, but requires our efforts. Let us be people of peace
in prayer and deed.”
“Faith and violence are incompatible. Faith and the spirit of peace go together.”
“Every act of violence against a human being is a wound in humanity’s flesh.”
“The true force of the Christian is the force of truth and love, which means
rejecting all violence.”
“The culture of encounter demands that we be ready not only to give, but also to receive.
Peace is built in this exchange.”
“Nonviolence is not a sign of weakness, but of strength. It means facing evil
with the weapons of love and truth.”
| | |
The Dalai Lama:
“World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just mere absence of violence.
Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion.”
“Peace does not mean an absence of conflicts; differences will always be there.
Peace means solving these differences through peaceful means.”
“Non-violence means dialogue, using our language, the human language. Dialogue
means compromise: respect for each other's rights, in the spirit of reconciliation.”
“Violence is not the solution to our problems. It is an outdated tool
that belongs to the past.”
“Through violence, you may ‘solve’ one problem, but you sow the seeds for another.”
“The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater our own sense of
well-being becomes.”
“Our shared responsibility is to help bring about peace through non-violence,
dialogue, and understanding.”
| | |
FORGIVENESS
IT WOULD BE MUCH MORE
CONSTRUCTIVE
IF PEOPLE TRIED TO
UNDERSTAND
THEIR SUPPOSED ENEMIES.
LEARNING TO FORGIVE
IS MUCH MORE USEFUL
THAN MERELY PICKING UP
A STONE AND
THROWING IT AT THE OBJECT OF ONE'S ANGER,
THE MORE SO WHEN
THE PROVOCATION IS EXTREME.
FOR IT IS UNDER THE
GREATEST
ADVERSITY THAT THERE EXISTS THE GREATEST POTENTIAL
FOR DOING GOOD, BOTH FOR ONESELF AND OTHERS.
H.H.THE XIVTH DALAI LAMA
On sale: 9in.x16in. cloth scroll - $8
| | | |
Never Give Up
No matter what is going on
Never give up
Develop the heart
Too much energy in your country
is spent developing the mind
instead of the heart
Devolop the heart
Be compassionate
Not just to your friends
but to everyone
Be compassionate
Work for peace
in your heart and in the world
Work for peace
and I say again
Never give up
No matter what is happening
No matter what is going on around you
Never give up
H.H The XIVth Dalai Lama
On sale: 9in.x16in. cloth scroll - $8
| | |
|
Interfaith Dialogue and Religious Tolerance
Pope Francis:
“We are all brothers and sisters, regardless of our religious tradition.
We are all children of God.”
“Interreligious dialogue is a necessary condition for peace in the world, and so
it is a duty for Christians as well as other religious communities.”
“Dialogue does not mean renouncing our own ideas and traditions, but the claim
that they alone are valid or absolute.”
“Hostility, extremism, and violence are not born of a religious heart: they are
betrayals of religion.”
“Religion should never be used to incite war, hatred, and violence.
On the contrary, religion should be a source of peace and reconciliation.”
“God is the God of peace. Never bring the name of God to justify violence.
Peace alone is holy. Peace alone is holy, not war!"
| | |
The Dalai Lama:
“All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion,
and forgiveness—the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.”
“I always believe that it is much better to have a variety of religions, a variety of
philosophies, rather than one single religion or philosophy. This is necessary
because of the different mental dispositions of each human being.”
“When we see genuine spiritual practice in other religious traditions, we must respect it.
It would be foolish to say one religion is best for everyone.”
“Harmony among the major world religions has become an essential ingredient of
peaceful coexistence in our world.”
“Mutual understanding and respect among all religions is essential. Our future depends
on this spirit of tolerance and dialogue.”
“It is possible to be a true practitioner of one’s own religion and still respect, admire,
and learn from others.”
“We must promote a sense of universal responsibility, learning to work not just for our
own self or family, but for the benefit of all humankind.”
| | |
RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY
ALL RELIGIONS SHARE A COMMON ROOT
WHICH IS LIMITLESS COMPASSION
FOR THE SUFFERING
OF OTHERS. IN SO FAR AS LOVE IS
ESSENTIAL IN EVERY RELIGION,
WE COULD SAY THAT LOVE IS A
UNIVERSAL RELIGION. BUT THE VARIOUS
TECHNIQUES AND METHODS FOR
DEVELOPING LOVE DIFFER WIDELY
BETWEEN THE TRADITIONS. I DON'T
THINK THERE COULD EVER BE JUST
ONE SINGLE PHILOSOPHY OR
ONE SINGLE RELIGION. SINCE THERE
ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF
PEOPLE, WITH A RANGE OF TENDENCIES
AND INCLINATIONS. IT IS QUITE FITTING
THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
RELIGIONS. AN THE FACT THAT THERE
ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT DESCRIPTIONS
OF THE RELIGIOUS PATH SHOWS
HOW RICH RELIGION IS.
H.H. THE XIVTH DALAI LAMA
On sale: 9in.x16in. cloth scroll - $8
| | | |
Environmental Stewardship
Pope Francis
“The Earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.”
"A true ecological approach always becomes a social approach;
it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment.”
“We need to strengthen the conviction that we are one single human family.
There are no frontiers or barriers, political or social, behind which we can hide.”
“The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all.”
“We must not be indifferent to the suffering of the poor, to wars fought over natural
resources, or to the environmental destruction that affects us all.”
“We are not God. The Earth was here before us and it has been given to us.”
“Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue.”
“Let us be ‘protectors’ of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors
of one another and of the environment.”
| | |
The Dalai Lama
“Because we all share this planet Earth, we have to learn to live in harmony and peace
with each other and with nature. This is not just a dream, but a necessity.”
“The environment is not a luxury but a very basis of our survival, the foundation of our
daily lives and well-being.”
“It is our collective and individual responsibility to preserve and tend to the environment in
which we all live.”
“The earth is not just our inheritance from our parents, it is on loan from our children.”
“We must respect nature, which sustains all life. If we exploit it irresponsibly, future
generations will pay the price.”
“Our ancestors viewed the natural environment as sacred. Today, we must rediscover
that sense of reverence and live in harmony with the world around us.”
“Taking care of our environment is a kind of compassion. Protecting the planet
means protecting all beings who live on it.”
| | |
The Paradox of Our Age
We have bigger houses but smaller families;
more conveniences, but less time;
we have more degrees, but less sense;
more knowledge, but less judgement;
more experts, but more problems;
more medicines, but less healthiness.
We have been all the way to the moon and back,
But have trouble crossing the street to meet
the new neighbor.
We built more computers to hold more
Information to produce more copies than ever,
but have less communication.
We have become long on quantity,
But short on quality.
These are times of fast foods
but slow digestion;
tall man but short character;
steep profits but shallow relationships.
It is a time when there is much in the window,
But nothing in the room.
… His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
On sale: 9in.x16in. cloth scroll - $8
| | | |
Social Justice and Economic Inequality
Pope Francis
“Inequality is the root of social evil.”
An economy that excludes is one that kills.”
“How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of
exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points?”
“Today everything comes under the laws of competition and the survival of the fittest,
where the powerful feed upon the powerless. As a consequence, masses of
people find themselves excluded and marginalized.”
“The dignity of each human person and the pursuit of the common good are concerns
which ought to shape all economic policies.”
“A just society recognizes the primacy of the human person and the common good
over capital and profit.”
“Let us not forget: we are all responsible for the poor.”
“Working for a just distribution of the fruits of the earth and human labor
is not mere philanthropy. It is a moral obligation.”
| | |
The Dalai Lama
“As long as there is injustice somewhere, true peace can never be
realized anywhere.”
“The gap between the rich and the poor is not only morally wrong, but it is also
a source of instability and conflict.”
“A more equitable distribution of wealth and resources is not just a matter of charity
—it is a matter of justice.”
“We must develop a sense of global responsibility. Each of us must learn to work
not just for our own self or nation, but for the benefit of all humanity.”
“The root cause of many problems is inequality, which leads to resentment,
unrest, and violence.”
“The poor and needy are not a burden, they are our brothers and sisters.
Helping them is not optional—it is essential to our humanity.”
“We need to cultivate a sense of ethical responsibility in the economy.
Without ethics, markets become tools of exploitation.”
“True change in society will only come about when we change at the individual level,
developing a genuine concern for others.”
| | |
FRIENDSHIP
WE HAVE GENUINE FRIENDSHIP
WHEN IT IS BASED ON TRUE HUMAN
FEELING, A FEELING OF CLOSENESS
IN WHICH THERE IS A SENSE OF SHARING AND
CONNECTEDNESS. I WOULD CALL THIS TYPE OF
FRIENDSHIP GENUINE BECAUSE IT IS NOT
AFFECTED BY THE INCREASE OR DECREASE OF
THE INDIVIDUAL'S WEALTH, STATUS, OR POWER.
THE FACTOR THAT SUSTAINS THAT FRIENDSHIP
IS WHETHER OR NOT THE TWO PEOPLE WILL
HAVE MUTUAL FEELINGS OF LOVE ANDAFFECTION.
GENUINE HUMAN FRIENDSHIP IS ON THE BASIS OF
HUMAN AFFECTION, IRRESPECTIVE OF YOUR
POSITION. THEREFORE, THE MORE YOU SHOW
CONCERN ABOUT THE WELFARE AND RIGHTS
OF OTHERS, THE MORE YOU ARE A GENUINE
FRIENDS. THE MORE YOU REMAIN OPEN
AND SINCERE, THEN ULTIMATELY MORE BENEFITS
WILL COME TO YOU. IF YOU FORGET OR DO NOT BOTHER ABOUT OTHERS.
THEN EVENTUALLY YOU WILL LOSE
YOUR OWN BENEFIT.
H.H. THE XIVTH DALAI LAMA
On sale: 9in.x16in. cloth scroll - $8
| | | |
Mindfulness and Inner Peace
Pope Francis
"Let us try to remain in silence in order to hear the voice of love.”
“Find moments of peace to be with the Lord and listen to His Word.”
“We need to live in the present, in the moment, with God. Not in the past with our regrets,
nor in the future with our fears.”
“Amid so much noise, may we learn to listen. May we rediscover the value of silence,
to hear the voice of the Lord.”
“Rest is necessary for the health of our minds and bodies, and often so difficult to achieve
because of the many demands placed upon us. Let us learn to rest in the Lord.”
“Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of the joy of the Gospel!”
“The peace the world gives isolates us from others.
God's peace leads us to encounter others, to promote communion.”
The Dalai Lama
“If every 8-year-old in the world is taught meditation, we will eliminate violence
from the world within one generation.”
“Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.”
“Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that's very
important for good health.”
“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.”
“The ultimate source of happiness is not money and power, but warm-heartedness.
Inner peace is the key: if you have inner peace, the external problems do not affect
your deep sense of peace and tranquility.”
“With realization of one’s own potential and self-confidence in one’s ability,
one can build a better world.”
“The more you are motivated by love, the more fearless and free your action will be.”
“Mindfulness is the key to a happy and peaceful life. When you are mindful, you are
fully alive and present in each moment.”
| | |
A PRECIOUS HUMAN LIFE
"EVERY DAY, THINK AS YOU WAKE UP,
TODAY I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE WOKEN UP.
I AM ALIVE, I HAVE A PRECIOUS HUMAN LIFE.
I AM NOT GOIN TO WASTE IT.
I AM GOING TO USE
ALL OF MY ENERGIES TO DEVELOP MYSELF
TO EXPAND MY HEART OUT TO OTHERS.
TO ACHIEVE ENLIGHTENMENT FOR
THE BENEFIT OF ALL BEINGS,
I AM GOING TO HAVE KIND
THOUGHTS TOWARDS OTHER.
I AM NOT GOING TO GET ANGRY
OR THINK BADLY ABOUT OTHERS.
I AM GOING TO BENEFIT OTHERS
AS MUCH AS I CAN."
H.H. THE XIVTH DALAI LAMA
On sale: 9in.x16in. cloth scroll - $8
| | | |
A few weeks ago, my wife returned from a pilgrimage to Buddhist holy sites in India. She brought with her a large suitcase filled with "Dalai Lama Quote Banners," like the ones pictured above.
All designs are on sale this month for $8 each.
| | Shakyamuni Buddha Thangka Painting | | |
This is a small hand-painted traditional thangka showing Shakyamuni Buddha in Earth-Touching mudra, calling the earth to witness at the moment of enlightenment. For a small painting, it's nicely executed with muted colors in the landscaping, a beautiful face and detailed decoration in the robes. The painting is framed in traditional brocade with a yellow silk cover, a hanging tie at the top, and wooden rod at the bottom.
Canvas Size: 9.5 in x 13 in
Brocade Size: 19 in x 30 in
Price: $80 $60
| | |
The prize for this month's drawing is a 5 color set (yellow, green, red, white,blue) of "Tashi Gyalsten Khorlo" prayer flags. "Tashi" means "auspicious" or "good fortune." The
"Gyaltsen "is a "victory banner" that conquers inner and outer obstacles. It represents the triumph of wisdom over delusion. Khorlo means "wheel;" in this case a "yantra" composed of magical invocations ("mantras") and sacred symbols used to attract and channel spiritual or cosmic energy. Displaying "The Auspicious Victory Banner Wheel" overcomes obstacles and attracts good fortune.
| | |
If you'd like a chance to win this print, email me your name and address to prayerflags2@gmail.com.
Please don't forget to include your mailing address.
| | |
Congratulations to Emma Davenport of Wimberley, Texas
for winning the set of Mani Prayer Flags in April's drawing!
OM MANI PADME HUM
| | |
The Tibetan 3rd month goes from April 28 through May 27; then the 4th month goes until June 25.
During the 3rd month the Nagas are gathering together in great meetings. If you make offerings to them on their good (teb)days, they will perceive your offerings as ambrosia. The result of this will bring much benefit to the surrounding environment, and all your wishes and aspirations will come true. On the other hand, if you make offerings during their resting days (dok), they will think of your offerings as garbage and they will run away from you.
During the 4th month the Nagas pay particular attention to abiding by the laws of their realm. If we make offerings to them during their good (teb) days,they will provide true support. If we make offerings to them when they are sleeping, the offerings will turn to poison, so beware!
There are five especially good days to make offerings - May 2, 19, 20, 22 (dakini day), 31
Don't make offerings to the Nagas on May 12, unless you want trouble!
| | Prayer Flag Photos from Friends and Our Archives | | |
Please send us photos of your prayer flags so we can share them.
Any size, shape and format is okay.
Email prayerflags2@gmail.com
| | Very tall Tsa La Nam Sum (Health & Longevity) Prayer Flag in Grass Valley, CA | | | | |
Kestrel Falcon atop a Tara Bhutanese style prayer flag in the high desert near Lamoille Nevada
| | |
Links to all the previous Newsletters can be found in the Newsletters Archives.
If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for my newsletter, please write.
I will try to answer your emails.
Email me at: prayerflags2@gmail.com
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter.
Timothy Clark
Owner of Radiant Heart Studios
| | | | |
