The Dalai Lama and Carl Sagan

The Dalai Lama, Lhamo Döndrub, Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989

He has since traveled the world, advocating for the welfare of Tibetans, teaching Tibetan Buddhism and talking about

“This is my simple religion. No need for temples. No need for complicated philosophy. Your own mind, your own heart is the temple.

Carl Sagan was an amazing proponent of science and an ardent critic of religion, he was a steadfast atheist who wrote books critical of religious worldviews and their encroachment on the sciences. In books such as The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, Sagan struck a strong skeptical stance against the paranormal and the unexplained. While his holiness the Dalai Lama is thought to be the latest reincarnation of a series of spiritual leaders who have chosen to be reborn in order to enlighten others. Sagan had previously spoken and debated with religious leaders before, but he was uniquely surprised by his experience with the Dalai Lama. Speaking of the event, Sagan said:

"…in theological discussions with religious leaders, I often ask what their response would be if a central tenet of their faith were disproved by science. When I put this question to the Dalai Lama, he unhesitatingly replied as no conservative or fundamentalist religious leaders do: In such a case, he said, Tibetan Buddhism would have to change. Even, I asked, if it’s a really central tenet, like reincarnation?

However, he added with a twinkle – it’s going to be hard to disprove reincarnation."

The meeting between the Dalai Lama and Carl Sagan illustrates something very powerful about Buddhism that so many individuals find refreshing.

Buddhism at its core is not about accepting dogma. Buddhism is not about blindly accepting ancient beliefs or tenets,

"No matter what is going on
Never give up
Develop the heart
Too much energy in your country
Is spent developing the mind
Instead of the heart
Be compassionate
Not just to your friends
But to everyone
Be compassionate
Work for peace
In your heart and in the world
Work for peace
And I say again
Never give up
No matter what is going on around you
Never give up”

Soon after entering elementary school, he began to express a strong inquisitiveness about nature.

Sagan recalled taking his first trips to the public library alone, at the age of five, when his mother got him a library card.

He wanted to learn what stars were, since none of his friends or their parents could give him a clear answer:

"I went to the librarian and asked for a book about stars ...

The scale of the universe suddenly opened up to me. It was a kind of religious experience.

"We are in the Universe and the Universe is also within us."

"Just like the Nebulas, Just like Ourselves...Everything is Reborn and Continues".

STARDUST TO STARDUST

Every atom in your body is billions of years old. Hydrogen, the most common element in the universe and a major feature of your body, was produced in the big bang 13.7bn years ago.
Heavier atoms such as carbon and oxygen were forged in stars between 7bn and 12bn years ago, and blasted across space when the stars exploded.
Some of these explosions were so powerful that they also produced the elements heavier than iron, which stars can't construct.
This means that the components of your body are truly ancient:

The illegality of cannabis is outrageous, an impediment to full utilization of a drug which helps produce the serenity and insight, sensitivity and fellowship

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”

The Universes are continually rebirthing themselves... Buddhism's reincarnation is one with the Cosmos.

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