Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama begins three-day teachings in Dharmashala on the Four Noble Truths and their Sixteen Characteristics, the Thirty-Seven Factors of Enlightenment as well as Nagarjuna’s “Commentary on Bodhichitta as requested by a group from Asia at Tsuglagkhang, Main Temple.
His Holiness on his arrival warmly greeted the devotees gathered at the courtyard as he proceeded towards his seat on the throne while ‘Heart Sutra’ was being chanted until it subsided once His Holiness settled down on the throne.
His Holiness in his preliminary remarks illustrated that Buddhism in the South East Asian country has somewhat become a traditional religion as he acknowledged the keenness and interests of the devotees who have been coming to attend the teachings for some time now. His Holiness then thanked the organisers and began deliberating on the discourse of dharma.
Devotees gathered at the courtyard for the first day teaching of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA
To the followers and practitioners of Buddhism, His Holiness asserted that the world constitutes of many different religious traditions and each religious tradition differ from each other in their philosophical views, however, His Holiness noted that the comprehensive array of all the religious traditions are connected by a single overarching message which His Holiness said was the message of love and compassion. Similarly, all of those religious traditions also conveys the same message of tolerance, patience, contentment, and self-discipline etc said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
His Holiness further asserted that love should be promoted as the very power of love and affection has helped nurtured and sustained the living beings on earth when the world first came into being.
“For the survival of us human beings, of course, love and affection are very important as we were nurtured and raised by the same love and care from our mothers”, said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
His Holiness commenting on love and compassion as the main message of all religious traditions. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA
Then there are different philosophical views noted His Holiness, behind those who obligates the need for love and compassion, however, their pursuit remains the same which is to enhance and empower love and compassion.
Having said that, His Holiness also admitted that the need for different religious traditions in someway is necessary because of the existing different circumstances and conditions that humans live in which has nurtured and characterised different interests and nature of the beings. His Holiness mentioned that even Buddha himself implored the same in view that within Buddhisms also exists the different school of thoughts meant for the followers of different pre mental dispositions. Buddha took upon himself to teach all his followers without any bias.
Speaking on different religious traditions preaching the message of love and compassion, His Holiness acknowledged and admitted that practitioners of Christianity so far have been the most engaged and proactive ones when it comes to serving the welfare of humanity. His Holiness commented that the different religious traditions are like different medicines needed to treat different illnesses therefore, there is no such thing as the best religion. To the practitioners of different religions, His Holiness advised to promote religious harmony as opposed to simply promoting the religion.
The first day of His Holiness’s teaching was attended by more than 5000 devotees from 67 countries. Beginning tomorrow, His Holiness will accord detail teachings on Four Noble Truths and their Sixteen Characteristics, the Thirty-Seven Factors of Enlightenment as well as Nagarjuna’s “Commentary on Bodhichitta. The translation of the teaching is available in English and other European and Asian languages. The three-day teachings will conclude on 6 September 2019.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the teaching. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA
Monks and other devotees filled the courtyard. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA
Another section of the devotees. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA