BODH GAYA: Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Tuesday concluded the two-day teachings on Diamond Cutter Sutra and bestowed the White Saraswati permission to the principal Chinese disciples and thousands of devotees at the Kalachakra Maidan, Bodh Gaya.
In a ceremonial entry into the wisdom teachings, the Chinese and groups of western devotees offered recitations of the Heart Sutra in Chinese, English, Sanskrit, and Pali.
Having bestowed a series of teachings for multiple devotees for the past weeks, His Holiness remarked that the transmissions have been seamless and offered the devotees to continue the study of the Buddhist teachings and practice their vows.
“Since we are followers of the perfection of wisdom teachings, we have to follow the path of the higher intelligent students versus the less. In terms of the Buddha’s teaching on the perfection of wisdom, there is a chapter which deals with two categories of students: the lesser and higher intelligent students. The first one is referred to ones who follow the teaching by faith and the second, based on reason and wisdom,” he said, explaining the faith and reason based practice of the teachings.
His Holiness noted that the second group of students will have stronger conviction in Buddha’s teachings versus those whose devotion is susceptible to change.
“Therefore it is important to employ your investigative mind while studying Buddha’s teachings. One who investigates, questions and analyses the content using one’s intelligence will certainly gain the path to true wisdom. This is what we call the followers of the high intelligent path”.
He implored his disciples to borrow the same attitude in their approach to the different religious traditions. “As a Buddhist follower or follower of any other religion, one should be open to the different assertions and philosophical viewpoints of the other religious traditions. It will help you to gain genuine respect for all those religions”.
“In this modern time, it is very important to ensure the peaceful coexistence of all the different religious traditions. All these traditions have been contributing to humanity so we have to respect them. I have many friends belonging to different traditions and I believe, if you follow one’s tradition sincerely, that is itself a great service,” His Holiness said.
Before closing in on the teachings, His Holiness gave the auspicious transmission of White Saraswati. His Holiness mentioned that Saraswati is a goddess worshipped by both Buddhists and non-Buddhists.
The organising committee of the 2018 Bodh Gaya teachings presented a detailed financial report and thanked the all the sponsors and supporters including the Gaya District Administration, Police forces, Department of Security, CTA, Namgyal Monastery, Chotrul Monlam Getse, Buddhist Thai Bharat Society, the Mahayana Hotel for facilitating the 3-week teachings in Bodh Gaya.