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)

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!

Narrated by Martin Sheen?

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

While I am certainly familiar with Martin Sheen's work and definitely with the Dalai Lama using his own voice and that of an interpretor this was a strange duo that I couldn't get past.

Would you recommend Beyond Religion to your friends? Why or why not?

No because my friends are just as used to regular translators as I am.

What didn’t you like about Martin Sheen’s performance?

Nothing personally. I don't know that he's Buddhist, that might help. His voice is very white American.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

How to get the goodness out of Buddhism without the Religion.

Always worth listening!!!

What did you love best about Beyond Religion?

The idea that moral and ethics, doing the right thing, is something we all already know. So lets act on it.

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

Other Dali Lama books.

What does Martin Sheen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I like to see, hear, and feel a good idea. Having as history as an autditory learning and enjoying the company of a good story teller, Sheen had a great voice for the message.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me think and remind me of what I already know.

Any additional comments?

Another great message from a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Highly recommend.

Thought provoking!

What did you love best about Beyond Religion?

The thoughtfulness of the story line and the manner in which the message is conveyed to the listener.

Who was your favorite character and why?

n/a

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

Have not listened before.

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

Broadened my conceptions of other religions.

Any additional comments?

Should be on everyone'as reading list.

GREAT BOOK!! I LOVED IT!!

God bless me and my family with this awesome book. Beyond Religious:Ethics for a Whole World .
I pray this book touches you and your family.

Wisdom calls aloud in the streets and this book.

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

Wise, concise, marvelous

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

Would compare to the Bible in terms of the powerful values and principles presented in a secular way that could yet be experiences in a religious way if wanted.

What about Martin Sheen’s performance did you like?

Clear voice and excellent performance.

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

Take religion (any religion) apart from moral values and ethical principles and you could get a stand and teach them in a more approachable way and thus accepted by way more people. Teachings based on experience and founded in love for each other.

Any additional comments?

Listen to it.