For example, when he discusses the acceptance of suffering [pages 155-157], he points out that believing in the Buddhist doctrine of Karma makes it easier to accept suffering, but that a Christian belief in God's plan also makes it easier to accept suffering. A nonbeliever can accept suffering more easily by analyzing the situation objectively and seeing how he himself has contributed to the unfolding of events. The acceptance of suffering is the important point to the Dalai Lama -- how your particular belief system justifies and supports this acceptance is secondary.
"The idea that everyone should be a Buddhist is quite extreme. And that kind of extreme thinking just causes problems. ... Now, when confronted with another religion, initially a positive feeling, a comfortable feeling will arise. We'll feel if that person finds a different tradition more suitable, more effective, then that's good!" [page 197]
Contrast this with traditional Christianity, where the important question is whether or not you believe that Jesus died for your sins. It is hard to imagine a Christian leader saying that if someone has found a way to live without Christ, that's good. Contrast the Dalai Lama's view also with Western philosophy, which through its history has placed great emphasis on deciding which beliefs are true. The Dalai Lama's attitude is not unknown in the West, but it tends to be underground. For example, the occultist Peter Carroll has said, "Belief is a tool for achieving effects; it is not an end in itself."