Dharamshala: The Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama began a three-day introductory teaching on Buddhism for Tibetan youth at the main temple, Tsuglagkhang today on 5 June.
The first day teaching on Nagarjuna’s “Commentary on Bodhichitta” and Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo’s “Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva” saw over ten thousand devotees pour into the main temple to listen to the teachings. President Dr Lobsang Sangay, Kalons and secretaries of Central Tibetan Administration were also present.
528 students from 70 different universities and colleges in India, students from colleges in USA, Netherlands and thousands from TCV schools and Mussoorie Homes had come to attend the three-day teaching.
Throughout the preliminary teaching, His Holiness emphasised that the root of compassion and values originated from the Indian masters–dated back to 2000 years–and the urgency to revive the ancient wisdom in our schools, societies and the world at large.
“It is important to know the workings of the mind because if you look at the world today, there are lots of killings among human beings due to disturbance of mind. All the man-made problems in today’s world are due to unruly and undisciplined mind. Then there are serious problems of rich poor disparity; caste systems, for example, where people are discriminated on basis of their caste. This is also very unfortunate as people remain very poor due to this discrimination. But many people remain rather indifferent to this situation of others, ” His Holiness said.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeting group of monks from Thailand at the Tsuglagkhang, 5 June 2017. Photo/OHHDL
Peace of mind is disturbed not from outside but because of your mind being undisciplined and uncontrolled, the Buddhist leader said. “Therefore you have to find the means to overcome this mind from within and not seek some external solutions.”
Calling the lack of approach towards understanding human mind as the fundamental cause of disturbance arising in the world today, the Tibetan spiritual leader reiterated the need for a reformed education system in schools.
“Therefore it is a matter of great urgency that we find ways to incorporate the ancient Indian knowledge of mind in schools’ education system. I look forward to the day when the younger generation, as result of integrating the principles of non violence and mindfulness at school, will be more aware of their emotions, conscience and feel greater sense of responsibility towards themselves and the wider world. It is now down to the younger generation to make a better world than the one that has been bequeathed to them.”
To his Tibetan followers, His Holiness advised them to develop faith and conviction in Buddha’s teaching through study, reflection and meditation. “Since we have the tradition of studying classic texts from past thousands of years, we need to pay more attention to it. We the Tibetans have kept the tradition of studying the major classic texts of Nalanda. The six-million Tibetan people have immense faith and devotion in Buddhism. Even today, when they are faced with such hardship inside Tibet, their spirit, strength and integrity remains strong as ever. Therefore we need to build upon this foundation with knowledge and reason.”
Following the preliminary teaching, His Holiness explained excerpts from the Nagarjuna’s Commentary on Bodhichitta and Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo’s Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva. He will continue the teaching tomorrow and conclude on 7 June.
The Introduction to Buddhism for Tibetan youth is aimed at promoting awareness and training in Tibetan Buddhism among the youth.
Students of TCV offering one verse long life prayer for their most revered, His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Tsuglagkhang, 5 June 2017. Photo/OHHDL
Buddhist students presenting a debate before His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Tsuglagkhang, 5 June 2017. Photo/OHHDL