His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama speaks passionately on harmony in diversity – moving from conflict to compassion – at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. When His Holiness sees people from different backgrounds, whether culture, religion or belief, he doesn't see a difference. We are all one. As a species, our mental and emotional levels all are the same. In his experience everyone wants happiness and not suffering. Everyone has the right to overcome suffering. His Holiness believes our very being has the right to exist happily, and believes our very goal or purpose is happiness or satisfaction. Addressing the nature of conflict, he admits that due to impatience and shortsightedness sometimes people create big contradictions to gain immediate gratification and forget about long term interests. We need more education and sense of caring as well as compassion through mental training. With the millions of people on this planet, one religious tradition is not enough – a variety of religions is necessary to benefit the variety of peoples. Pointing to overcoming contradiction, he says that reconciling is where the importance of dialogue comes into play, rather than violence or suppression. The greatness of our species is our capacity to develop altruism. With a good brain and a good heart His Holiness believes together we can overcome all human problems.
