The Dalai Lama’s main commitments are focused around three components: promotion of human values, promotion of religious harmony, and preservation of buddhist culture (tibetmuseum.org). These commitments are quite beneficial since they provide solidarity among the community, along with finding harmony within ourselves.   

The Dalai Lama seeks to unite all of humanity through understanding, from the mind—and most importantly—the heart. As human beings, the Dalai Lama expects for us to encourage an ethical foundation worldwide. To do that, he intends for future generations to be properly educated, specifically including ethical values. We all live on the same planet, so it’s only right for us to cooperate with each other, out of our best interest. As of now, he believes that “we are still focusing far too much on our differences instead of our commonalities” (Paragraph 10). Currently driven by competition, we bring others down in order for ourselves to be on top. Instead, the Dalai Lama urges all of us to come together as one, filled with “goodness, compassion and [care] for others”, working together, even when disagreements emerge (Paragraph 8). 

In doing so, more peace will inevitably take place. By continuing our old ways, we’re only repeating history once more, resulting in turmoil and destruction, only because two parties weren’t willing to cooperate with one another. Blinded by stubbornness, people are fixated on maintaining hostile behavior rather than compromising through communication. By teaching them the values of compassion and empathy as a young age, we’ll be able to create a better environment for all. Once implemented, it would substantially decrease the amount of violence and war. Consequently, it will preserve humanity, allowing for us to continue to thrive and develop. 

I personally share his first two commitments, with the exclusion of the third solely because I’m not a firm believer of the religion, so I don’t consciously have that commitment in mind. I always am in favor of maintaining cooperation and amity, since I personally try to avoid confrontation as much as possible, specifically hostile arguments. Promoting human values is also one of the reasons why I chose to major in psychology, in order to develop a better understanding of human behavior. By doing so, I can provide more compassion and empathy toward others in need of help through counseling. As for promoting religious harmony, I try my best to ensure respect toward others regardless of their background, even if the individual is an atheist. As long as the religion doesn’t inflict pain and oppression towards others, I will continue to support their right to believe in it. 

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