The Dalai Lama has thrown his support behind ethics classes in NSW schools saying world religions have failed in their mission to create a better world.

"Frankly speaking I am Buddhist and even Buddha failed to bring a peaceful and happy society," he told Fairfax Media in an exclusive interview that he agreed to after being informed of the current battle to keep ethics classes on school enrolment forms.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama talks with Leura public school students Harry Skeggs 11 (left), Eliza Skeggs, 6, and Joe Skeggs, 9. Credit:Kate Geraghty

"If killing each other is ok, then there is no need to promote more ethics. If crises, injustice, and huge gaps between rich and poor are ok then there is no need to promote more ethics," he said.