Inner Peace and Human Rights

Tenzin Gyatzo placed emphasis on every individuals responsibility to obtain inner peace. I think that the points that he made are important for today's fast paced society to absorb. The material objects that individuals strive for, do little to promote true happiness. A lot of issues continue and worsen because people are spending so much time struggling to create the ideal environment instead of working toward mental peace. I use "work" because like most things in life individual peace doesn't just happen, one has to commit to it. He says, "Without inner peace, no matter how comfortable your life is materially, you may still be worried, disturbed or unhappy because of circumstances". I agreed with the comment that spiritual development should coincide with material development if not surpass it. Tibetans' determination to gain human rights and end violence has stayed strong throughout hard times because they had the inner peace to keeping fighting for it. I think that faith, hope, and true happiness throughout a battle is a powerful trio. Spreading awareness of issues like this to young people would be beneficial if we want the world's next generations of leaders to to promote peace instead of war.