By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, June 3: Tibetan spiritual leader and foremost Buddhist figure His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Wednesday concluded a two-day teaching on Jé Tsongkhapa’s ‘Destiny Fulfilled’ to young Tibetans where he reiterated his message of compassion and warm heartedness.
The Tibetan leader who conducted the sessions online said, “If you practise love and compassion, harmful actions come to an end. We need peace of mind within us. If we’re full of anger and other negative emotions, not only will we have no peace of mind, but there will also be no peace in the world.”
“We are all the same in wanting happiness and not wanting suffering. We are social animals dependent on each other. Learning to tackle our disturbing emotions, we need to reduce anger and attachment and cultivate love and compassion,” he added.
While responding to a student who asked about resisting temptations of day-to-day life, he said, “The solution to not having a disciplined mind is to observe emotional hygiene as described in ancient Indian tradition. This involves learning to tackle disturbing emotions like attachment and anger. I don’t say become a Buddhist, but learn from Buddhism.
“Learn, reflect and gain conviction. Then meditate and integrate what you’ve understood within you. Such an approach over centuries has had the effect that Tibetans are, for example, resistant to taking life. Our culture is such that we believe it is possible to create a more peaceful world.”
The octogenarian leader also urged the younger generation of Tibetans to learn their language as it is a repository of Buddhist teachings, particularly the Nalanda school of thought with a collection of about 100 volumes of translated sutras and another 220 volumes of mostly Indian treatises.
He said, “Studying the Buddha’s teachings in the light of logic and reason is now only preserved in the Tibetan tradition. Chinese Buddhism doesn’t take this approach. Followers of the Pali Tradition study what the scriptures say, but I tease them that lacking the tools of reason and logic means they are toothless when it comes to chewing over difficult points.”
“Since Tibetan Buddhism represents the most complete tradition of Buddhism today, we should feel grateful to past masters like Jé Tsongkhapa and follow their example by sharing our knowledge with others,” the Dalai Lama further said.
The Tibetan spiritual leader who travelled extensively to give teachings and talks before the pandemic hit, has now changed gears and is engaging with his worshippers and followers through the virtual medium from his residence here in McLeod Ganj.
Later this month, he will engage with members of Mind & Life Europe: Pier Luigi Luisa, Amy Cohen Varela and Elena Antonova, on the theme Dialogue for a Better World: Remembering Francisco Varela which celebrates the spirit and legacy of Francisco Varela organized by Mind & Life Europe on June 9, 2021.
