In 1999 His Holiness The Dalai Lama published the bestselling Ancient Wisdom: Modern World , which addressed the question of ethics for the new millennium. A decade later, His Holiness enters the contemporary debate about religion vs atheism, and returns to the theme of ethics with a major new work: Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World . In this thought-provoking new book he argues that religion is not a necessity for pursuing a spiritual life. Rather, focusing on tolerance and understanding between religions, as well as tolerance and understanding between believers (of any faith) and non-believers is the way forward. The way to achieve such an approach, he proposes, is through a system of secular ethics grounded in a deep appreciation of our common humanity. Aimed particularly at the general reader, Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World is a modern-day polemic which outlines those ethics he believes should be central to our lives.

The most influential person in the world Time magazine He draws crowds that no other spiritual leader or politican could hope to match...he seems to look at life in a different way to everyone else The Times A man of great intelligence and charm...(the Dalai Lama) has become the lynch pin of hope for a great many people. Professor Robert Thurman, author of Infinite Life This wise, humane book, an original work rather than a collection of talks, is an incisive statement of His Holiness's thinking on ways to bring peace to a suffering world. Publishers Weekly An impressive guide for teaching religious tolerance and respect to readers of all ages. Kirkus

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibet. Today, he lives in exile in Northern India and works tirelessly on behalf of the Tibetan people, as well as travelling the world to give spiritual teachings to sell-out audiences. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.