Gesar

Like a cornucopia overflowing with creativity, the corridors of time display the rhythms of our human civilization, their reflections and ramifications extending in all directions. One of the singular most important events, one with world-changing consequences, happened in 1776, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence that preceded the American Revolution. Later, the Constitution of the United States was drafted and ratified.

Though the Founding Fathers were not omniscient, the extraordinary quality of these documents captured the essential goodness of human being and articulated it in the form of democratic principles. These ideals and principles present a vision of human possibilities that has touched the hearts of people all around the world for more than two centuries. Though it is over two hundred years old, this manifesto of the American spirit remains fresh and vital today, powerful and dynamic, invigorating and inspiring. It gives hope to people living under regimes less high minded; by example, it demonstrates freedom as a real possibility worth striving for, struggling for, even fighting for. It is a living doctrine, a true faith, a declaration of the value of the individual heart and mind.

It is not necessary that every action undertaken by the American people or their government be perfect in order for this vision to be immensely important to mankind. At any given moment in history, the stock of democratic ideals rises and falls according to the judgments of individuals, based on their differences in religion, philosophy, culture, and temperament and other conditions. Democracy allows so much individual freedom and tolerates so many choices, good or bad, that its everyday operation may be far from perfect in some particular periods depending on how it is judged.

But the fundamental concept that all beings are basically good and all deserve a chance to transform themselves unlocks a door; it opens a gate to the path of gradual growth and the process of perfection. Democracy gives each of us room to breathe, allowing us to inhale and exhale at our own rate, naturally. It provides time for the development of knowledge, the pursuit of happiness, and spiritual progress. It does not impose uniformity, but embraces the uniqueness of each person, trusting native intelligence to learn from mistakes so that even the negative may become the cause for transformation.

Freely granting this extraordinary opportunity— fit for a king—to every ordinary person, democracy stimulates a civilization’s arts and sciences to flourish; it encourages the fruits of all disciplines of knowledge to ripen.

If we follow the principle to its natural conclusion, we espouse more and more freedom, supported by deeper and deeper knowledge. Dedicated to thorough- going freedom, indestructible freedom, inalienable freedom, we begin to liberate ourselves from inner as well as outer bondage and obstacles. We liberate the mind as well as the body and speech. Our whole being grows intent on transcendence.

The pronouncement of this truth of human nature, together with its genuine embodiment in a government and a way of life that have thrived for more than two centuries, is the treasure of all humanity. It matters not at all that the narrow minded, the small-hearted, oppose freedom from time to time. That only makes freedom lovers more courageous and determined. Even the unleashing of the tactics of terror awakens goodness and strength that has been sleeping in the citizenry. There is no need to fear the contrast between tyranny and freedom, for the dramatic opposition only reveals the beauty of freedom in the long run.

Eventually, even the terrorist may learn that opposing freedom is futile; it may require decades or even centuries, and the cost in human life would be unfortunate. But this education is inevitable and is already growing widespread, thanks to the example of America. In the last fifty years alone, see how many more cultures have taken up democracy eagerly and with great hopes. How I wish that all beings and all cultures, such as my Tibet, had the good fortune of the freedom that America exemplifies! Upholding the innate goodness of humanity—this is America’s spiritual agenda, and I admire and love it. Philosophers call it truth, the religious call it salvation, the politicians call it right action. Whatever name it goes by, this doctrine is alive and well in America. We are the proof of that.

Adapted from a talk given at Ratna Ling at celebrations held on July 4, 2008. A collection of Rinpoche’s talks on such occasions is scheduled for publication in the near future.