If you were in a social situation in which it would be customary to kneel before the Dalai Lama, would you?...

Question

You can replace kneel with any other general gesture that tends to show respect/subservience if you like...

As for any Buddhists, would you before the pope?

I didn't mean to imply that such things would be the custom for those of you contesting that, the point is would you were it a non-mandatory custom... I'm finding the answers from those that accepted the premise (as flawed as it may be) to be rather interesting, which is why I asked.

Answer 1

I would kneel before the Dalai Lama because he has used his fame to spread a universal message of peace and hope. I would kneel in a church if necessary as the choice made to enter it was my own and I respect that it is holy to those that dwell in it. I would kneel before the Pope out of respect to those that revere him.

I have found here on R&S that being accepting of any religion preaching intolerance and eternal damnation is of no use. I have tried out of respect to the free will of those who choose whatever it is they want to believe. When that belief affects humanity and casts judgments upon others, however, I find that it is best for me to speak my mind about it rather than avoid confrontation. Avoidance to a cult-like atmosphere is like suicide. I thought i was just being nice when I kept my mouth shut. There are extreme dangers in religion, though, that must be addressed and brought to the forefront of the collective human mind. Religion is a man-made creation originally meant to "tame the natives" (see Justinian, Ottoman Empire), but it took on a mind of its own and spun out of control. A basic morality does not have to be learned through ancient text. It is developed when we are very young, and I believe some people just naturally have the ability to care for the universal good rather than the self-serving rhetoric. Any morality that doesn't allow for self-actualization and acceptance is immoral to me. I cannot bow to the ideas of most religions. I could not bow to the god that has murdered and tortured millions of people, as he is so described in the Bible(s). I find this a very twisted work of fiction, of course, but speaking hypothetically... I would bow out of respect to someone's religion but I would never kneel or bow to the tenets of that religion unless it preaches a true message of peace and goodwill to all.

Of course, there are many leaders I wouldn't kneel, bow, or even stand next to. Bush, for example. Hitler. I do not know enough about the Pope's stance on certain issues to say for sure whether I'd bow to him or not. I would avoid having to do so like the plague, or I would simply pass into the crowd while the worshipers went up to praise him. I wouldn't allow myself into the situation, but if it came upon me accidentally I wouldn't disrespect him, as he hasn't murdered millions of people like some gods and leaders we know. Out of respect to humankind rather than the supernatural. Of course, if I knew more about him I might very well change my mind.

Answer 2

Yes, as a Buddhist, I would bow and/or do the prostrations to the Dalai Lama. I do this for all my Buddhist teachers so of course would do it for the Dalai Lama. In fact, I do prostrations in front of my alter everyday. It is good exercise and way to create compassion and humility. As a monk, I would do as the other monks do and wash the feet of my teacher. The acts themselves are meaningless, yet they help clear the mind from its since of superiority and any conceitedness.

I doubt I would bow before the Pope. He has written that Buddhism is one of the biggest threats in the world. He is not a nice person. I would decline to visit the Pope. Though I would bow (not prostrate) to a Catholic monk or priest. I lived in Asia for 10 years and bowing comes easy to me. It is a natural form of greeting. I like it better than shaking hands in that is shows much more respect for the other person.

Answer 3

I would kiss the Dalai Lama if thats what you were supposed to do. What a man! I dont know if I would kneel before the Pope, but Im afraid of what the crazies would do to me if I didnt.

Answer 4

I don't know. I am not a buddhist but I think the reincarnate deserves more props than the pope. He's the kind of guy that could probably see eye to eye with anybody, a cool guy to eat mushrooms with. The pope on the other hand would probably have Jews and blacks dwelling in ovens if the Roman-Catholic church was still #1.

Answer 5

I'm neither, though I do find my philosophic view to lign up very closely to Theravada Buddhism. I find the present pope to be a hateful man, I would not, the last pope I would show respect for. As for the Dalai Lama, I have actually got to attend one of his teachings, he is an incredibly kind and funny man. I think he can offer great insights no matter what religion you are, I would always show him respect.

Answer 6

Yes I would, as a show of respect. It's not necessary to agree with someone in order to respect the person or the position they hold.

In the presence of the Dali Lama, I would kneel gladly.

Answer 7

So I jump ship in Hong Kong and make my way over to Tibet, and I get on as a looper at a golf course in the Himalayas. A looper. You know, a caddy, a looper, a jock. So I tell them I'm a pro jock and who do you think they give me? The Dalai Lama, himself. The twelvth son of the Lama. With flowing robes...grace...bald...striking. I'm on the first tee with him. I give him the driver. He hauls off and whacks one. Big hitter, the Lama. Long...into a ten thousand foot crevice right at the base of this glacier. So we finish, and he's going to stiff me. And I say, "Hey, Lama! How about a little something,
you know, for the effort?" And he says, "There won't be any money...but when you die, on your deathbed...you will receive total consciousness."

So I've got that going for me...which is nice.

Answer 8

Sure, why not. Is there anything ethically reprehensible in a customnary showing of respect? No. I'd kneel before the pope, or whoever is in a position of power and is himself humble.

If they are cocky and arrogant, or have a superiority complex in anyway, then there's no way in hell I would kneel.

Answer 9

I do not show respect unless respect is earned. Having never met him or read his words, I cannot say I have any respect. Hitler was a leader, too, but I don't believe he was worthy of respect.

Furthermore, my way of showing respect does not involve symbols. It should be shown through something meaningful.

I certainly would not kneel to a fellow human being, as no one is greater than I am. Respect isn't about subservience and obedience.

Answer 10

no, i;m sorry, i kneel before no man...so i would stay away from situations where it might be expected, as i wouldn't want to offend the dalai lama, and i do respect him...i believe in showing respect, but not subservience