His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the educators during the meeting
Photo: Screen grab
A group of 15 educators met His Holiness the Dalai Lama at his residence on July 8 to discuss Human Education in the 3rd Millennium – an initial roundtable conference which is in preparation for a world forum on education. The educators are from India, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Finland, USA, Australia, Bangladesh, Britain and Russia.
His Holiness was presented with the four areas of discussion: education policy, being human, education for democracy and human oriented education. The educators told His Holiness that schools and universities are focusing on training students in skills for jobs and human flourishing is not addressed. They said that Education is being reduced to what can be measured and that policies governing these areas are written by governments or businessmen, not by professional educators.
His Holiness was asked how education policy might be challenged, what it means to be human, whether he thinks democracy represents human flourishing and what it means to be an educator. His Holiness replied that education has failed to produce happy individuals citing an example of conflicts in the name of religion. He said that before entering the education system, young children’s basic nature is fresh and compassionate; they do not care about their playmates’ religion, racial or national backgrounds.
His Holiness stressed that modern education evolved in the west, focusing more on being materialistic and with less concern for peace of mind. He expressed the need for emotional hygiene, just as physical hygiene is taught from young age. “Students are not taught how to tackle their anger, fear or anxiety. In the absence of any other solution, they turn to drugs and alcohol for relief.”
Fear, anger and self centredness destroy human peace of mind, said His Holiness. He explained that studying the ancient Indian knowledge of the workings of mind and emotions will help elevate these negative emotions. He continued, saying that understanding emptiness and compassion and cultivating infinite love has helped him secure peace of mind throughout the years.
Regarding democracy and education, His Holiness pointed out that democracy is rooted in having a sense of concern for others and respecting their views. Since human beings are social animals and need to live together, the only way to sort out conflict is to engage in dialogue and avoid violence.
“Humanity is one community,” he said, “and we have to use our intelligence to take care of each other. For democracy to succeed, it will depend on our motivation and employing our brilliant intelligence with warm-heartedness.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama celebrated his 84th birthday earlier this month and has cut down his international travel schedules from last year. But the number of individuals and groups requesting to visit him at his residence in Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala is not diminishing.
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