“A Book of Joy”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu of Cape Town, with Douglas Abrams

Published: Hutchinson, London, 2016

348 pages, including practical notes on how to practice joy

This account of a week-long dialogue at Dharamsala, in India, brought together two well-known faith leaders, whose friendship was deepened.  The conversation between the leader of Tibetan Buddhism and a prominent black Anglican archbishop, both Nobel Peace Prize winners, was planned and facilitated by Douglas Abrams, a North-American of Jewish origin.  It is still most relevant at a time when accepted principles of international law are being challenged, when wars remain unresolved and often re-ignite.

It is all too easy to become depressed by constant bad news.  Long years of exile did not discourage the Dalai Lama, nor did long imprisonment defeat Nelson Mandela.  We, therefore, should remain hopeful and share joy in our relationships.  Like astronauts viewing the earth from outer space, we should seek a positive perspective – one that promotes dialogue for mutual respect and cooperation, valuing every life and disarming violence by our love.

Leaders everywhere, in faith, politics, science, business and civil society, have a duty to find good ways to overcome our many problems.

Lord Hylton

September 2025