December, 2017: Another busy month for the Dalai Lama

By Minoru Nakano / December 13, 2017;

His Holiness addressing the gathering at Government P.G college in Dharamshala
Photo: OHHDL

His Holiness maintains his busy schedule until the end of 2017 – from a meeting with the former United States President to embarking on a 20-day tour around South India.

The Tibetan spiritual leader started off the month by featuring in a New York Times article, Our future is very much in our hands, which quoted an earlier article in Turning Points asking His Holiness how to cope with the global political situation: he stressed the importance of compassion. On December 1, His Holiness met the former US President, Barack Obama in New Delhi. As a fellow Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the Dalai Lama reassured Obama of his continuing effort in “promoting peace in today’s world torn by strife and violence.”

On December 5, His Holiness gave a speech at a ceremony in the PG Government College in Dharamshala. He remarked that modern education could benefit from spiritual knowledge “in transforming our destructive emotions and promoting basic inner values.”

His Holiness at Drepung Loseling in Mungod, Karnataka
Photo: OHHDL

As he embarked on the 20-day tour of South India, the Dalai Lama reiterated his message during his two-day teaching at Somaiya Vidyavihar in Mumbai on December 8. His Holiness expressed an urgent need for the revival of the ancient Indian tradition as he believes in India’s unique global position in guiding the world for a better future by blending its “modern education of material values and ancient knowledge.”

Following his visit to Mumbai, His Holiness arrived at Drepung Monastery in Mundgod, Karnataka on December 11. In conjunction with his goal to revive the ancient Indian knowledge, the Dalai Lama remarked on the crucial role of Tibetan Buddhism in preserving Buddha’s teaching.

On the following day, he gave a public talk in Doeguling Tibetan Settlement. Addressing the gathering of devotees, he reminded them of the progress the Tibetan community has made over the years, and of his commitments in the promotion of human values, religious harmony, and safeguarding Tibet’s environment, culture and language.

His Holiness will travel to Bylakuppe on December 18, followed by a visit to Bengaluru from December 24 – 26, returning to Delhi the following day.