Beyond Religion

Ethics for a Whole World

By: His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Narrated by: Martin Sheen

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)

Why isn’t this taught in church/school

Here the Dalai Lama talks about how all religions around the world teaches us about kindness, honesty, patience, and forgiveness (inner values) that are for the good of all life on this planet. He also talks about how these same religions are at war with each other despite these teachings. Why can’t we be at peace on the religious front?

If for a moment we stopped and actually applied what was in our religious doctrines or holy books then we’d be at peace tomorrow. Why aren’t we? Because war is money and money makes the world go round.

Excellent food for thought and conjecture.

Where does Beyond Religion rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

my first Audiobook

What did you like best about this story?

Although people found this book controversial or anti-religious....it's obvious they didn't read it. It is meant to unite people unlike secular religion that divides people who worship differently, It suggests more of moral and ethical examination and behavior that should be adopted and practiced by all mankind regardless of religion...the point is to unite.

What about Martin Sheen’s performance did you like?

Martin Sheen is an excellent choice to narrate, He is well spoken and as a staunch Catholic he is not offended by the text.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Too many pages for one sitting, very delightful to enjoy at night during relaxed state.

Any additional comments?

I commend both the Dalai Lama and Martin Sheen for joining together to expand the human consciousness.

The Way to a Better World

Any additional comments?

This is a brilliant book by the wisest man of our time. If everyone read this book and took it to heart, we could solve so many of the problems we face in this world.

MORE than enlightening!

Loved this book! Not only enlightening but entertaining account of the life of the Dalai Lama.

Great Listen!

Martin Sheen does a great job of narrating this book because he reads it in a calm and impactful tone, but without being monotone. The content of the book was interesting and inspiring and I think it would be a good read/listen for anyone regardless of religious faith or lack thereof. I will definitely be listening to this book a few times and recommend it to anyone!