Rating: 
Summary: Non-technical but non-trivial
Review: According to His Holiness the Dalai Lama - Ethics for the New Millennium is not a spiritual book. However, what is clear is that his conclusions and recommendations come from a long history of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism. Mahayana is one of the two main vehicles of Tibetan Buddhism. In this sense, his message is a universal rather than a personal one. In this book, His Holiness speaks to larger social and moral issues. "My aim has been to appeal for an approach to ethics based on universal rather religious principles (xiii)." The Dalai Lama has used this approach for this book because as far as his powers of observation tell him, humanity has turned their back on traditional religions (the classical mode for ethical considerations) but nonetheless seek happiness in a world gone out of control. Despite the book not being a drastic departure from any of his previous work, it does cover issue that he has not dealt with prior to this one - issues of bioethics and excessive materialism. In this book, he is open and comes across, as folk - just folk with everyday concerns and human needs - like his thoughts about his mundane attachment to his watch.The whole book is written in a simple and almost conversational tone is clearly aimed at a large audience. A far cry from the more technical books such as Path to Bliss, The Art of Happiness, The Meaning of Life form a Buddhist Perspective and even Kindness, Clarity and Insight on religion and meditation and more in tune with his autobiographical pieces like Freedom in Exile and My Land and My People, this book shines as a testament to a man who truly love humanity. As a point of method, the almost step-by-step approach lends itself to a friendly guru, of which is perhaps one of the more visible of his many personae to the western world. What is really important to take away from this book is his use of Tibetan roots and his transforming then into everyday language - making the issues and possible solutions accessible to the ordinary (as in non-technical) reader. Miguel Llora
Rating:
Summary: A Call to Spiritual Awakening
Review: This book was written at the time of the change from the 20th to the 21st Century. The Dalai Lama used the change to the new Millenium as a call to ethical and spiritual reflection and to an awakening to a new, informed inner life. The book is eloquent and compelling. The Dalai Lama's command of English is somewhat limited, and the text undoubtedly was subject to substantial editing. But the sincerity and power of the book shines through, as does the Dalai Lama's modesty. It is something of a rarity for a book to sound the call to spiritual renewal while refusing to proselytize or to promote a specific creed. The Dalai Lama promises repeatedly that his book is concerned with ethics and spirituality rather than with Buddhist tenents. There is nothing in this book, for example, that even suggests the reader take up a meditiation practice. Although there is a substantial treatment of the difficult Buddhist teaching of Dependent Origination, the Dalai Lama makes good on his word. The book can be read and appreciated by people who are secular -- without a religious faith -- and by those who are committed to a faith tradition other than Buddhism. The Dalai Lama's basic message here, I think, is that all people strive to be happy. In the West, we tend to equate the pursuit of happiness with materialistic success. This goes part of the way to happiness but has difficulties in terms of the anxiety, competitiveness, and insenitiveness to ourselves and others that it creates. The Dalai Lama's answer, in common with much religious and spiritual writing, is to look inward. What is important is how the Dalai Lama elaborates his teaching in this book. The Dalai Lama insists that spiritual renewal requires a commitment to ethical behavior. There are two levels to this. The first, more basic level, is to act in a way that doesn't bring harm. This is a seemingly simple teaching, but one difficult to put in practice in specific situations. The second level is to aim to be other-directed rather than self-directed in one's actions. This means acting with patience, generosity, compassion, nonviolence, empathy, thought for the other person, rather than for oneself. For the Dalai Lama this second level underlies all spirituality and religious traditions and is more fundamental than any metaphysical or faith issues. People can disagree on the latter or not hold any religious position at all. After developing the foundations of what he sees as ethical and spiritual behavior, the Dalai Lama offers suggestions for the individual's redirection of him or herself in terms of restraint, virtue, compassion, and the relief of suffering. Again, I was struck by the modesty of the teaching and by the Dalai Lama's claim that spiritual redirection can be independent of the individual's commitment or lack of commitment to a religous creed. The Dalai Lama emphasizes at one point that "we are not talking about Buddahood here" but rather about how any individual can aim for ethical and spiritual redirection. A chapter in the final section of the book discusses "the role of religion in modern society." The Dalai Lama explains his own commitment to Tibetan Buddhism but insists again that such commitment is unnecessary for the individual to redirect energy to the ethical/spiritual life. In fact, in this book the Dalai Lama discourages religious conversion but urges the reader to remain in his or her own faith and work within it. He maintains that all religions teach the same basic ethical and spiritual precepts while their metaphysical or faith commitments differ. He offers a plea that people from different faith traditions learn that they can learn much from each other while maintaining their own belief system. He reiterates that people shouldn't force themselves to have a religion at all if they are committed to a secular worldview. There is a great deal of wisdom and simplicity in this book. It may be valuable to those who want to consider redirecting or better understanding themselves.
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Summary: Ethics for the New Millennium
Review: excellent book, peace of mind.
Rating: 
Summary: A call to action rather than sedate philosophical agreement
Review: Criticism has been made that most people who most need this book won't read it because they aren't receptive to the message, and I imagine that's true. However, this book's influence goes beyond those who read it and are affected by it, because those people will hopefully be more consistent in behaving ethically, and this will influence many who don't read the book. Again, this sort of criticism is typical of the type of thinking many have when listening to a sermon or spiritual talk: "Too bad so and so isn't hearing this!" Don't worry about the people not reading it. Read it to get full benefit and allow it to influence your thinking and actions. If you come across a stumbling block, a statement you disagree with, pass over it so that you don't miss more important points. Of course, this book was written before the events of 9-11-01, and our perspective is bound to have changed since that awful day. Hopefully though, we are still open to respect of political and religious differences. This is the bottom line. We are to use our ability to love so that it extends to all people, even to those who belong to nations who are on bad terms with us. If you read this book just as a book as philosophy, it will have failed in it's purpose. But if you take the core message to heart and allow yourself to be spurred to resolve and action, it will have succeeded. Any normal reader will find little loopholes, areas of disagreement, but centering on the larger picture will be more effective by far. Introspection and self examination followed by self discipline are called for along with reaching out to others with love.
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Summary: Use the present well....
Review: In the final chapter of his book, Ethics For the New Millennium, the Dalai Lama encourages all to 'use the present well.' We cannot turn back the clock and fix the past; we cannot predict the future; all we can do is try to live the best and happiest life possible in the here and now. While not an avid reader of non-fiction, and not overly enthused with supposed 'feel-good,' or 'self-help' books, this was neither. In 'Ethics,' the Dalai Lama has written a fascinating, wonderful, enlightening read. It is neither 'preachy' nor demanding, rather a guiding light of sorts, a hint at how to more easily come by happiness on our own, that we have the power to make our lives of a better quality. The Dalai Lama is not a healer. He does not possess mystical powers to 'fix' our lives. Neither is he a deity, although a Tibetan Monk living in exile. However, his words of peace and harmony, and a possible method for achieving those in our lives by simply 'using the present well' and 'doing unto others' is a source of inspiration and tranquility. While occasionally naive in the belief of a deep down desire of all to live a life that is happy and free of suffering, the Dalai Lama's perspective is indeed refreshing. His takes on world events, war, religion, sex, and the daily lives of all people, regardless of race, creed, location, or religious faith, is amazing, perhaps attained in his world travel as a lecturer and provider of spiritual elightenment. While never pressing the Buddhist belief and way of life, a simple view of it is offered. The suggestion is then made to adapt your own beliefs and values, and religious teachings, into a conscious effort to live your life to its fullest; to treat others around you with dignity and respect, thereby enriching your own life. Touching upon all aspects of life, how we treat ourselves, how we treat others, and how we treat the earth itself, Ethics For the New Millennium is a wondeful read, and a treatise on happiness that I will draw from for my own peace and serenity for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: His Holliness's Best
Review: This is the Dalai Lama at his best. What makes this book remarkable is that Dalai Lama here expresses his views on life in the modern world in secular, stright-forward language, easily accessibly to anyone. This is not a book about Buddhist ethics, but rather a Buddhist monk talking about ethics and spirituality as a human phenomenon, independent of culture or relgious faith. How refreshing it was to hear the Dalai Lama lay out his ethical views without all the esoteric references and abstract commentary (not to downplay the importance of Sutras and their interpretation). Very clear, powerful and cogent. The Dalai Lama's voice shines briliantly off the page. A must read for anybody who gives serious consideration to the most ancient and important question: How shall I behave in this life? No final answers here, but the richness of his thought will bring you closer.
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Summary: Accessible Ethics
Review: There is nothing new in penning an ethical treatise. Bonino, Cobb, Fletcher, Freire, Kung, Niebuhr, Thielicke, Tillich, and seemingly every German theologian with a graduate degree have ruminated on how we ought to live. Their arguments were brilliant, intricate, innovative and often too convoluted to be understood by those who do not hold a theological degree. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has given us something new in the field of ethics. He has provided us with a thoroughly accessible system of ethics. More over, His Holiness' writings are as valid for atheists and agnostics as they are for theists. His simple and straight forward system of ethics are as valid for Christians as they are for his co-religionists. If you long for a better world; if you long for a better self, read His Holiness' offering.
Rating:
Summary: best of the best
Review: Most of the books by the Dalai Lama are taped talks. This is a rare book he actually sat down to write. If the criteria is positive change, this is the best book for the greatest audience, ever.
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Summary: Towards an Inner Peace
Review: In April of 2000, I was given the two most precious things in my life, my two chidlren. During the first months of their life, I was able to read this masterpiece and in doing so, it changed my personal and spiritual life forever. As a life long Christian, my views have been dominated by Christ and his teachings. Reading the Dalai Lama's insights have allowed me to explore uncharted waters in terms of my spirituality. While I still hold Christianity dear to me, the ideas of Buddhism have seriously influenced me. The ideas that His Holiness has in terms of peace are so illuminating. After reading this book, I have come to know peace with not only myself, but with the world I live in.
Rating:
Summary: One of His Holiness' best
Review: This book was clear and to the point with great advice to people of all faiths (or none at all) on how to live an ethical life full of happiness.
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