Despite the outpouring of popular online forums, such as #prayforparis, the Dalai Lama says God will not help us counter the attacks because “humans have created this problem”.
The Tibetan spiritual leader said the rise of suicide bombings could not be stopped “only through prayers” and describes the terrorists as “short-sighted”.
“I am a Buddhist and I believe in praying. But humans have created this problem, and now we are asking God to solve it,” he said.
“It is illogical. God would say, solve it yourself because you created it in the first place.”
He went on to tell the German state broadcaster Deutsche Welle that we need a systematic approach to foster humanistic values of oneness and harmony.
“If we start doing it now, there is hope that this century will be different from the previous one.
“It is in everybody’s interest. So let us work for peace within our families and society, and not expect help from God, Buddha or the governments.
The 80-year-old, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, is adamant that if “serious attempts” were not made to achieve peace, “we will continue to see a replay of the mayhem humanity experienced in the 20th century”.
He described the terrorists in the Paris massacre that’s claimed more than 100 lives as “short-sighted” adding that there was “no basis or justification for killing others”.
His main message to the world: “We are one people”.
Meanwhile, for more inspirational words from his holiness, check out these great quotes, and make sure you watch our exclusive interview with London bombing survivor Gill Hicks.
