I came across this interesting interview with the Dalai Lama, conducted last year by a person unknown. I’ve selected a few quotes, which I think are the most telling :

Q : Since you have been stressing “secular values”, would you not prescribe spiritual practices because they owe allegiance to some tradition?

A : I would recommend what I call “analytical meditation”.

Q : That’s why the Buddha is said to be a great psychologist?

A : Undoubtedly, because he taught the science of the mind.

Q : If the goal of life is happiness, where does Nirvana fit in? [Nirvana doesn’t really figure in the Tibetan version of Buddhism, called Vajrayana ~ the Diamond Way. Ed.]

A : Now you are talking about another level. At the first level, you need to practice basic human values. Then, you can talk of Nirvana, which means permanent cessation of suffering. So we come back to happiness!
When Buddha Sakyamuni experienced mahaparinirvana, his mind ceased and he was freed from the karmic cycle of birth and death. Nagarjuna says clearly that the pure mind has no counterforce, and only those that have a counterforce can cease, like matter. The mind, and space too, have no counterforce and so have no reason to cease. In the case of other afflictive emotions, they might end if they have strong positive counter forces. But in case of the mind, we cannot say that it will come to an end, as it is difficult to find a strong antidote that will hinder its existence, as in the case of space. Here, you could argue by saying that in that case, could we put an end to loving-kindness or compassion because they have strong counter-forces? On investigation, we will realize that kindness and love usually accompany wisdom whereas anger and hatred might seem strong but have no praman (proof/basis). Everything that is good and right is the result of valid perception. Based on this, the more you analyze, the more you will be able to hold on to reality. If it is something wrong, however strong it appears, as you analyze it, its falsehood will be revealed.

Q : Aldous Huxley talked of “perennial philosophy” ~ the common mystical ground of all religions. Do you believe in that?

A : That is difficult to say. At one level, all religious traditions have the same aim ~ to transform the individual into a positive being. At another level, theistic religions do not have the concept of Nirvana. When I reach nirvana, then I will tell everything!