Dalai Lama gives introductory dharma teachings to Tibetan students/ENG

2018. június 6./Phayul.com/TibetPress

eredeti cikk

By Tenzin Dharpo

DHARAMSHALA, June 6: The Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Wednesday began his annual religious teaching for Tibetan youths that are studying in various academic institutions around the world. More than 9000 Tibetan students as well as devotees attended the event at Tsuglakhang temple here.

The egalitarian Tibetan leader reiterated his message of realizing the oneness of the 7 billion human beings saying such affinity can be developed by doing away the differences and by harnessing the sense of welfare for others. “Human beings are gifted with marvelous intelligence but for centuries, we have been employing it for our shortsighted self interests. It is urgent that we realize to use our intelligence in a constructive way; in order to enable that, we must embrace warm-heartedness and concern for others wellbeing”, said the Tibetan leader.

The outspoken advocate for promoting inner values also said that scientists have found evidence to show that basic human nature is compassionate. "This is a really hopeful sign. We need to strengthen such inner values as contentment, patience and tolerance, as well as compassion for others. Keeping in mind that it is in our basic nature to appreciate and express love and compassion”.

The Buddhist leader known for his pioneering steps to blur traditional lines in dissecting Buddhism and particularly the Nalanda tradition also said, “What we need today is an approach to ethics which makes no recourse to religion and can be equally acceptable to those with faith as well as non believers. We could call these basic values ‘secular ethics’, since they do not depend on religious faith.”

The Dalai Lama taught the ‘Shantideva’s A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ (tib. Chodjug) to the congregation. The ten chapters Chodjug teaching is a text written in 700 AD by Shantideva, known in Tibetan as Gyalsey Shiwalha.

The “Introduction to Buddhism” teaching for Tibetan youths in schools and colleges is an initiative that traces its origins almost a decade ago. The annual teaching has been taking place every summer during the annual academic vacation of the students.

Tenchoe, a B. A. Graduate told Phayul, “The three days Buddhist Teaching by His Holiness is a great opportunity for college students to get in touch with our religious roots. School was a place where we had classes to study our own religion but we don’t get that privilege anymore so this opportunity is sort of like a spiritual awakening.”