Dharamsala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama applauded the anti-corruption campaign led by Chinese leader Xi Jinping, saying that the leadership is “tackling corruption with boldness.”
He added, however, that the “best way to tackle corruption is to focus on transforming human emotions, cultivating transparency in work, truthfulness and self-discipline in individuals. Tackling corruption from outside is difficult.
His Holiness was addressing a group of South East Asian devotees in an interactive Q&A at his temple, Tsuglagkhang this morning.
“China is historically a Buddhist country and follower of Nalanda tradition. Xuanzang, the Chinese scholar and translator, travelled to India in the 7th century and brought Buddha dharma according to Nalanda tradition to China. In the Chinese mind, Buddhism is something close to their minds.
“According to a survey by Peking University a few years back, the Buddhist population in China was known to be 300 million. it is rapidly increasing,” he said.
His Holiness proposed that the ancient Buddhist thoughts if revived in form of academic values, could serve the entire humanity and bring peace. He pointed out that China and India had the opportunity to lead the initiative.
“We have to revive this combination of ancient Indian knowledge which brings inner peace and wisdom with a modern education that brings us physical comfort and material development. If we successfully revive in India, China with another one billion human beings will definitely pay attention.
“It will also attract other countries like Vietnam, Korea and the rest of the Asian Buddhist countries to adopt the same in their countries as well. India and China have an opportunity to serve millions of people.
“Now many Indian universities and educationists are paying attention. Recently I had a meeting with 150 Vice Chancellors. Numbers of Indian institutions and scholars fully realise the importance of revival of the Nalanda tradition.
In between, His Holiness reiterated that the revival of Buddhist thoughts and philosophy must not be understood as the revival of the Buddhist religion.
The session concluded with a photo session with His Holiness. In the afternoon, Geshe Thupten Palsang will do a review session with the devotees.