His Holiness the Dalai Lama lighting ceremonial lamp with Dr Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister of Culture at the inaugural session of the international Buddhist conference
Photo: tibet.net
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, attended series of events across the Indian states this month.
On March 17, His Holiness inaugurated the International Conference on Buddhism in the 21st Century. Addressing the delegations from various countries, he spoke about the oneness of the entire human race, saying that everyone desires happiness and added that basic human nature is to be compassionate, irrespective of one’s religious beliefs. Speaking about religious harmony, His Holiness said “All religious traditions teach us about love, compassion, forgiveness, contentment and self-discipline. They all carry a similar message of love. Therefore, all these traditions should be able to live side-by-side and work together”. Stressing the relevance of Buddhism in the 21st century, he said, “as someone who has studied ancient Indian knowledge for the last sixty years, I feel that modern education is not sufficient to bring genuine happiness. We should pay more attention to the ancient Indian knowledge to solve the emotional crisis prevailing in the world. Therefore, Buddhism is highly relevant in the 21st century and we should start teaching it as an academic subject rather than just treating it as a religion.”
The three-day conference was attended by over 1,300 Indian and foreign delegates and was held at the International Convention Centrein Rajgir, Bihar. It was organised by the Union Ministry of Culture and the Nalanda Mahavira University and was also attended by Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leaders, including Gyalwang Karmapa Rinpoche, the head of Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
Buddhist from 30 countries taking part in the conference
Photo : tibet.net
Following the Bihar visit, His Holiness travelled to Madhaya Pradesh, arriving on March 18, to participate in the ongoing Namami Devi Narmade-SewaYatra – a campaign conceived and coordinated by the Government of Madhaya Pradesh to conserve the Narmada River in Turnal, Madhaya Pradesh.
The Tibetan spiritual leader said that India should focus on development of villages to ensure prosperity. “India’s prosperity depends on the development of villages instead of developing big cities. So, the journey of development should start from rural areas of the country”,he said. He further called for more participation of women in different fields saying “Women are more sensitive and full of compassion. Their enhanced participation will make the world a better place as they can ensure promoting deeper human values”.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking on The Art of Happiness in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India on March 19, 2017. Photo : Chemey Tenzin/OHHDL
Referring to the river conservation campaign, His Holiness said that food and water are basic needs for all seven billion human beings in the world, despite technological developments.
Speaking on The Art of Happiness on March 19 to members of the Legislative Assembly, ministers of the Bharatiya Janata Party government and bureaucrats at Vidhan Sabhn in Bhopal, His Holiness said that today’s world needs education in love, compassion and friendship, and not materialism, “Modern education is oriented around a materialistic way of life. We should ask ourselves if it is really an adequate basis for a happy society”.
His Holiness criticised the caste system in India and said “it is a social evil, cutting across religious lines. The spiritual leaders of India should come out with one voice to get rid of this social evil”.
He lauded India’s unique culture of the harmonious co-existence of various religious beliefs. “India is known for its religious harmony. All religions, including those that trace their origins abroad, have co-existed in India over the past 2,000 years ”he said, continuing, “India should tell the world that it stands for compassion and respect for all religions”.
His Holiness stressed the need for an education system based on secularism, inner values, love and compassion, and not on any religion. “All religions preach love and compassion. No religion says that God is full of anger. The God is full of love. We are children of such a compassionate father or God. The basis of all religions is harmony, mutual respect”, he said.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama returned to Dharamshala, his exile home in India, on March 21. On April 1, he is scheduled to give a public talk A Human Approach to World Peace at the Platinum Jubilee Celebration of The Assam Tribune at Guwahati, Assam.
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