Dalai Lama on Pursuing Happiness [On Being]

Dalai Lama on Pursuing Happiness

December 29, 2011

The XIV Dalai Lama seems to many to embody happiness — happiness against the odds, a virtue that is acquired and practiced. Before a live audience in Atlanta, Georgia, Krista had a rare opportunity to mull over the meaning of happiness in contemporary life with him and three global spiritual leaders: a Muslim scholar, a chief rabbi, and a presiding bishop. For this new year, an invigorating and unpredictable discussion exploring the themes of suffering, beauty, and the nature of the body.

About the Image

The XIV Dalai Lama with Krista Tippett at Emory University on Sunday, October 17, 2010.

(photo: Bryan Meltz/Emory Photo)

Program Details

Hear the Music

» Show Playlist ¦ listen to full-length tracks of each song played in the program

Like-Minded Shows

» The Happiest Man in the World
Matthieu Ricard, a renowned Tibetan Buddhist spiritual teacher, shares his provocative thoughts on the meaning of happiness.

About the Image

Panelists discuss the nature of happiness on stage at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia on October 17, 2010.
(photo: Bryan Meltz/Emory)

Special Funding

Funding provided in part by the John Templeton Foundation.

Funding provided in part by the Nour Foundation.

SoundSeen

» In the Room with the Dalai Lama [video, 110:07]
Missed the live video stream? A front-row seat for a sold-out event at Emory University in Atlanta. Watch a dynamic discussion with four prominent religious leaders on the meaning of happiness.

Unheard Cuts

» Unedited Interview with a Buddhist Monk, a Jewish Rabbi, an Episcopal Bishop, and a Muslim Scholar (mp3, 114:33)

Pertinent Posts from the Being Blog

» For His Holiness the Dalai Lama
We highlight some of the passages Adele Diamond presented to the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala — including texts from Rabbi Heschel, Bashevis Singer, Rachel Naomi Remen, and Henri Nouwen.

» Happiness for Sale: $75,000
The elusive definition of happiness from a French Buddhist and Indian economist Amartya Sen — all by way of a $75,000 threshold.

» Finding Freedom within Chosen Constraints
Passages from a confessional poet, a Jesuit astronomer, a Sikh psych professor, and a Lutheran theologian on balancing tradition with personal choice.

» Quote from A Social Philosopher
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» Path to Happiness
Can this flowchart help you pursue happiness?

Your Stories, Your Voices:

Voices on the Radio

His Holiness the 14^th Dalai Lama of Tibet
The Dalai Lama is the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet. He is the author of many books, including Ethics for a New Millennium.

Jonathan Sacks
Sacks is Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth and author of several books, including The Dignity of Difference.

Katharine Jefferts Schori
Jefferts Schori is Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church who holds a doctorate in oceanography.

Seyyed Hossein Nasr
Nasr is University Professor of Islamic Studies at George Washington University. He's the author of myriad books, including Man and Nature.