Photo: OHHDL
His Holiness the Dalai Lama successfully concluded a three-day introductory teaching on Buddhism for young Tibetans, during which his message was that the responsibility to preserve Tibetan Buddhism falls on today’s youth. From June 5 to 7, young Tibetans from across the world, together with thousands of devotees, gathered at Tsuglakhang, the main temple in Dharmshala, to receive the special teaching from their 81 year old spiritual leader.
Over 700 college students from Dharamshala, Delhi, Bangaluru and Chennai, along with 1,500 school students, members of the Dharamshala Introduction to Buddhism Association and a group of 60 monks from Thailand, attended the teaching. Following the final day’s teaching, the monks from Thailand headed off on a peace march to Manali and then on to Leh in Ladakh in north India.
On the first day of the teaching, His Holiness spoke on the importance of developing a calm and disciplined mind. “It’s very important to know how the mind works. Peace of mind is not something that can be directed from outside. It needs to be approached from within…” said His Holiness. He continued by saying that religious people pray for peace, but prayer alone is not enough and to bring peace in the world people need to cultivate peace of mind.
His Holiness also spoke about the origin of Buddhism in Tibet – referring to how Tibet’s Emperor Trisong Detsen invited the great master Shantarakshita from India to the Land of Snow (Tibet) where he established the Nalanda tradition. Tibetans have worked hard down the centuries, through rigorous study, to keep this tradition alive. He urged young people to continue to keep this tradition alive because understanding of mind is an integral part of Tibetan Buddhism and can be of crucial benefit to future generations.
The first day’s teaching ended with questions for His Holiness from the assembled people. When asked how His Holiness remains happy every day, he replied that he regards all 7 billion human beings as brothers and sisters, a reflection he finds helpful and powerful. He also added that taking a more holistic view and cultivating warm heartedness are a sound source of happiness.
On the second day, His Holiness referred to the recent attacks in Britain and other places and said, “In all of these crises human beings are involved. We need to remind ourselves that basic human nature is compassionate. We are open, friendly and cheerful as children, why do we become aggressive and violent when we grow up?” He emphasised the importance of spreading the idea of warm heartedness and love, and of limiting those actions that lack compassion.
During the second day’s question and answer session, someone asked about dreams and His Holiness shared his experiences saying, “When I’m awake I don’t remember anything about past lives, but in my dreams I do. I have one memory of being a prisoner in ancient Egypt and being brought before the king in chains. He sat high on his throne and looked down at me commanding that I be released. I also have dreams of being with Indian and Tibetan masters from the past.”
Students engaging in Buddhist philosophical debate
Photo : OHHDL
On the third day, His Holiness explained the texts of Commentary on the Awakening Mind and Praise to the Seventeen Nalanda Masters. Throughout the three-day teaching, students engaged in Buddhist philosophical debate in the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
His Holiness’s teachings to introduce Buddhism to Tibetan young people dates from 2007: this is the 11th year. On June 16, His Holiness is scheduled to give a public talk Embracing the Beauty of Diversity in our World at the University of California San Diego in the United States.
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