The Dalai Lama consistently presents religion as a means to cultivate inner qualities that are of benefit both to the individual and to society. He stresses that the heart of any genuine religious life lies in compassion, love, forgiveness, and the development of inner peace and emotional balance. When religion helps people reduce suffering—both their own and that of others—it fulfills its proper function. In this sense, religious practice is not merely about belief or ritual, but about transforming the mind so that kindness, altruism, and nonviolence become the guiding forces of daily conduct. Such inner development, he suggests, naturally radiates outward, contributing to a more peaceful and harmonious social environment.

At the same time, he is clear that the ethical values often associated with religion are not the property of any single tradition. He emphasizes that moral principles such as honesty, compassion, and a sense of responsibility can and should be shared by believers and nonbelievers alike. For this reason, he advocates a form of “secular ethics,” grounded in human experience and reasoning, which can serve as a common foundation in a pluralistic world. Religion, in this view, supports and deepens ethical life but does not monopolize it; it stands alongside universal human values rather than above them. This perspective allows space for spiritual diversity while still affirming a shared moral ground.

A further dimension of his outlook is the insistence on interreligious harmony and dialogue. He often notes that the world’s major religions, despite doctrinal differences, share a basic message of love and compassion. From this standpoint, different faiths are seen as diverse paths suited to different dispositions, rather than as rivals locked in competition. Religious communities, therefore, are called to mutual respect, cooperation, and the recognition that working together for human welfare is more important than defending sectarian boundaries. When religions engage in such dialogue, they can jointly address social problems and help reduce conflict born of misunderstanding or prejudice.

Finally, the Dalai Lama assigns to religion a clear social responsibility. Religious institutions and practitioners, he suggests, should not retreat from the world but instead contribute actively to the reduction of suffering and the promotion of human welfare. This includes advocating peace, nonviolence, and human rights, as well as encouraging education, critical reflection, and the cultivation of wisdom rather than blind faith. In this way, religion becomes a force that both nurtures the inner life and inspires constructive engagement with the wider world, aligning spiritual aspiration with the practical work of creating a more compassionate society.