Beyond Religion

Ethics for a Whole World

By: His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Narrated by: Martin Sheen

Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Emmy Award-winning actor Martin Sheen (The West Wing) lends his distinguished voice to this stirring call to move beyond religion for the guidance to improve human life on individual, community, and global levels, including a guided meditation practice for cultivating key human values.

Ten years ago, in his best-selling Ethics for a New Millennium, His Holiness the Dalai Lama first proposed an approach to ethics based on universal rather than religious principles. Now, in Beyond Religion, the Dalai Lama, at his most compassionate and outspoken, elaborates and deepens his vision for the nonreligious way.

Transcending the mere "religion wars", he outlines a system of secular ethics that gives tolerant respect to religion, but, with the highest level of spiritual and intellectual authority, makes a claim for what the Dalai Lama calls a third way. This is a universal code of ethics that transcends religion boundaries, that recognizes our common humanity and advocates for a global human community based on understanding and mutual respect.

Beyond Religion is an essential statement from the Dalai Lama, a blueprint for all those who yearn for a life fulfilled and a better world.

©2011 His Holiness the Dalai Lama (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"An impressive guide for teaching religious tolerance and respect to readers of all ages." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"This wise, humane book, an original work rather than a collection of talks, is an incisive statement of His Holiness’s thinking on ways to bring peace to a suffering world." ( Publishers Weekly)

Common Ground

Would you consider the audio edition of Beyond Religion to be better than the print version?

I don't know I think The two could work in tandem and be complementary to each other and then be shared with friend and family in whatever media they prefer, it needn't be either or, however that being said Martin Sheen did a great job narrating so I personally prefer the Audio. :)

What other book might you compare Beyond Religion to and why?

I don't know that I have found a comparable book, It's unique in that it doesn't apologise for its innate spirituality while being completely open to everyone, it isn't a religious or unreligious idea and can, therefore, be shared with people of any or no spiritual affiliation creating a dialog that sets us all firmly on common ground!

Which character – as performed by Martin Sheen – was your favorite?

??? There weren't characters so much as ideas and concepts so I have no answer for this, sorry.

What did you learn from Beyond Religion that you would use in your daily life?

For starters, I will use the book it's self, shared amongst those I care about to start a new dialog of understanding between us all and see where that takes us! :) But also The part about "when someone begins to become loud or physically/verbally aggressive during a conversation or disagreement meaning that they aren't on sure footing in their argument" I will continue to use this idea to keep myself from becoming personally offended when people I care about react thusly in conversation.

Any additional comments?

I love this book and its universally agreeable truth and I highly recommend it to anyone even slightly interested!

A humble giant of wisdom and powerful compassion

This is a very important book. It's a beautiful way to understand how we can treat others ethically, think about the logic of ask encompassing ethics, looking at the wonderful connections between people and their beliefs, whether religious, agnostic, atheist, And it's easy to like that Martin Sheen is reading it all to us.

True Wisdom

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This brave man has powerful words. (Martin Sheen narrates well too)

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Beyond Religion?

Try to look at the world differently.

Any additional comments?

Audiobooks are great!

Complete

This book invites you to open your mind to other possibilities. To look at the world and others through a different lens is enlightening. I really enjoyed it and the process in which it was written.

Dalai Lama speaks with words all can take to heart

If you could sum up Beyond Religion in three words, what would they be?

insightful, personal, challenging

What did you like best about this story?

It truly spoke to all persons with a positive attitude that did not have to condemn others to get a point explained clearly.

Have you listened to any of Martin Sheen’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was a first for me - Martin Sheen was clear,and an appropriate tone and enthusiams

What did you learn from Beyond Religion that you would use in your daily life?

a method of meditation

Any additional comments?

I would have liked an outline or a chance to see chapter headlines rather than just chapter numbers.
If there is a way to do this I do not know how yet.-- Books on Kindle offer a chance to highlight or to make personal notes. There are sections I would like to be able to put my fingers on and share with others.

Spiritual Journey

Remarkable insight and bedtime or Starbucks listening. Really puts everything into perspective. Thought provoking! Narration was soothing. Second time listening

A book for every human

Words of wisdom from the greatest man alive today. No matter what your faith or lack of faith is, you can understand and through that understanding make society better. The actions of one human can affect a change throughout time itself.

well worth the time

I love the Dalai Lama. He is very wise, but speaks very simply. Well worth your time.

A Must Read!

What a better world it would be if everyone read this book.

In today's polarizing world, I found the subject matter of this book very refreshing.

It takes an in depth look at "secular ethics" a system of values grounded in compassion that transcends a particularly faith and focuses on the common principles uniting all humanity.

True words from wisdom

If you could sum up Beyond Religion in three words, what would they be?

A must read!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Martin Sheen. His clarity of voice during the reading.

Have you listened to any of Martin Sheen’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

First one. It was great. I would listen to him again.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Worldly respect of all things.

Any additional comments?

Great investment of time.