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)

A calm examination of ethics in a secular world.

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

This is not a meditation book, but the calm cadence of Martin Sheen makes it a very soothing listen. You can tell he is attempting to evoke the peaceful speech of the author. I believe this does contribute something beyond the print version of the book.

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

I would compare this book to secular and atheist titles, by authors like Richard Dawkins, that examine philosophy and spirituality, on similar terms, absent the constraints of religion. The book does not attack religious morality, rather it attempts to bridge it to secular humanist ideas about inherent self-worth and dignity of all people. It also provides a counter-argument to some of the writing of Nietzsche.

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

First time listener of Martin Sheen narration.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The sincerity and intellectual honesty of the writing impressed me. D'alai Lama writes from deep conviction and continual concern for fellow human beings.

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!

Would you listen to Beyond Religion again? Why?

I've listened to it twice and always hear something new. A forever audiobook...

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

A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle. These two men are the epitome of what life's best can be.

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

Insight into people, why they act like they do, what to respond to them, that my response is up to me, not to take their actions and turn anger at them, what I give out returns to me multiplied - every day, every minute, every situation.

Any additional comments?

Feeling stressed? Enjoy the peaceful feeling this audio book leaves you with.

Common sense makes a comeback

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

Of course this is a treatise and not a

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Never before has the world so needed a non-religious set of ethical values. Never before have we so needed to speak a common language and realize that we are all of ONE race: the HUMAN race.

Any additional comments?

This book is not in any way anti-religious. How could it be? Look who wrote it. Even the narrator Martin Sheen is a devout Catholic. It will be appreciated by anyone whether religious or Atheist, who has an open mind and the desire to hear a down to earth perspective on the question of morals and ethics for a troubled world.

An Easy and Informative Listen

This book was given to me as a gift, and I was at first reluctant to pick it up. Once I started digging in, however, I found it memorizing and captivating. The Dalai Lama starts with a basic vocabulary of ethics and morality that starts with our physical sensory input and goes to our enjoyment (or not) of the inputs. From these building blocks, he then goes into how one's moods, innate character, and emotions form our perceptions and projections of everything around us. He contends that in the course of the world, we are but mere blips in the timeline of humanity, so we must use the time well, recognizing that we're connected to everyone else, and learning to expand our compassion and generosity. Finally, the last part of the book walks thru some meditation techniques that allow the reader to build their connectedness and compassion. Recommended!

Can't be Faulted

The apect of the Dalai Lama that I most admire is the fact that he doesn't seem in the least bit interested in converting anyone to Tibetan Buddhism. All of his energy seems to go into pointing out that we can enjoy our lives more fully, and help others do the same, simply by following a few basic principals. I love the fact that he takes the religion out of his philosophy, and just tells it like it is.

World visionary

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

Hope, Wisdom, Clarity
Words of wisdom for our age, along with concrete practices to bring this vision of peace into our daily lives. The Dalai Lama has provided the path for humanity in this beautiful book.

I appreciate the generous free offer of the audio book and hope that many people are able to listen.

Spiritual, NOT Religious, a blueprint for life

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

Positive, soothing, progressive

What did you like best about this story?

It validated beliefs I've held & lived by, but wasn't articulate & organized enough to share with others in a way they could truly understand. What a blessing! Although I am not affiliated with any religious tradition, the Dalai Lama spoke directly to my heart, mind & soul. He was open, accepting, respectful & tolerant of all other belief systems, acknowledging the wisdom of traditions other than his own. He is truly one of the world's greatest treasures.

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

No. I will say that Richard Gere would have been my choice as narrator, for both the quality of his voice & the his affiliation with Buddhism.

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

I will devote more time to training my mind & meditation.

Any additional comments?

After listening to Beyond Religion, I have to join the Dalai Lama's hope that tenets of a moral, ethical, deliberate, examined life will be taught in schools to provide a positive example to impressionable children, without exposing them to religious dogma.I have been positively affected by this book, have recommended it to at least 10 of my friends, plan to listen to it again (probably again & again over the years until I achieve mastery) & will recommend it to everyone I know at any opportunity.

A must have companion to HH the Dalai Lama talks

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

His Holiness the Dalai Lama's talks are extremely well attended and often sold out -- 50K in Seattle, 30K in Mexico City are just few of the talks. His underlying message during all of these talks is the promotion of Human Values. In this book, the Dalai Lama shares his wisdom using every day stories and anecdotes and makes it very easy for the reader/listener to relate to these concepts.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Beyond Religion?

Fundamental 'Human Values' have no boundaries. They are relevant to everyone regardless of beliefs, race, gender, or age. And that we all have a universal responsibility to create a better world -- full of love and compassion to each other. Each of us have responsibility to prevent destruction of this planet.

A Call to Action

Would you listen to Beyond Religion again? Why?

Yes, and I am sure I will listen to it and read it again and again. The message is simple, strong and sensible. Yet - it is something that each human must hear often as a reminder.

What did you like best about this story?

The message is inclusive and challenges me to live ethically as much as possible.

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

No - this is my first Martin Sheen narrative performance.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I was moved throughout the book.

Any additional comments?

Having heard the Dalai Lama speak in person - it is a little strange to hear his words coming our of Martin Sheen's mouth! :)

Basic Goodness

What made the experience of listening to Beyond Religion the most enjoyable?

Martin Sheen

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Dalai Lama is leaving open a possible ethical future for humanity. The basic goodness and decency of that is the jewel.

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

Depth. Humor. Clarity. Warmth. Subtlety.

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

We can change the world for the better.

Any additional comments?

Take a few hours of your day and listen to this transmission.