Tawang- Dalai Lama’s Speech on “Secular Ethics and Happiness”
Tawang
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama today gave a talk on “Secular Ethics and Happiness” on the final day of his four-day visit to Tawang here.
Seated with Chief Minister Pema Khandu, His Holiness while delivering his talk to an audience assembled at Kalawangpo Hall, said secular ethics is the only way to bring lasting peace and happiness in the world.
“Peace in post World War II is built on fear. But genuine peace can come only through inner peace,” he said and stressed that inner peace can come through training of the mind.
His Holiness also reiterated that secular ethics must be achieved through education and not just through prayers or faith.
In later part of the talks, he devoted most of his time taking questions from the audience.
Responding to a question on Buddhist belief on Karma, His Holiness urged the audience to follow Buddhist teachings only after having convinced themselves through investigation and experiments. He said followers of Buddhist philosophy have the liberty to reject it if they find it unsatisfactory.
On Karma, His Holiness said “It’s our action that brings comfort and discomfort.”
To a query on what would be the state of secular ethics when presently the world is witnessing clash of beliefs, His Holiness said, “Neither can destroy each other’s beliefs. So best way is to make peace and live together.”
“A terrorist killing in the name of religion can never be true to his faith. However, efforts must be made to reach out to them as they are not born terrorist but circumstances made them so,” His Holiness said.
He emphasised on education as the key to bring in human understanding and values.
The Dalai Lama lamented that western nations are not helping in brining true values of education due to which everyone is after material pursuit brining untold human sufferings.
To a question on rituals becoming more important than wisdom or philosophy, His Holiness declared that rituals are not important. He emphasised on use of intelligence to transform emotions and not through rituals.
Earlier His Holiness released a book titled – “Ocean and Blue Mountains” published by department of Karmik and Adhyatmik Affairs (DoKAA) in presence of the Chief Minister, RWD Parliamentary Secretary Jambey Tashi, Tawang MLA Tsering Tashi and Chairman DoKAA, Jambey Wangdi.
The book title refers ‘Ocean’ as His Holiness and ‘Blue Mountains’ as the people of Arunachal Pradesh and is a collection of memoirs of the special bond shared between the two.
His Holiness also released a book titled – “Crossing of the Frontiers” describing his exile route from Tibet to India, published by Losel Nyinje Charitable Society and Monyul Social Welfare Association. A book on Monyul was also released by him.
Earlier on the day, the Dalai Lama gave his last sermon to the devotees at the Yid GaChosin monastery ground on Rinzin Dhondup initiation followed by long life offering ceremony.
He thanked the state government, specially the Chief Minister for the invitation and facilitating his visit, which he said has been a memorable one and that he would cherish it forever.
The Dalai Lama, in chaste Tibetan, further thanked the people, particularly from far off villages, who thronged to welcome and listen to him at all places that he visited.
He also blessed and distributed one lakh saplings to be planted in and around Tawang.
On his way to the Kalawangpo Hall, His Holiness consecrated the statue of Lord Buddha at the heart of Tawang township.
Yesterday, His Holiness consecrated the Tara Temple ‘Dolma Lhagang’, Guru Padhmasambhava Statue cum Temple (Lumpo), and laid the foundation stone of Gyalwa Jamba (Kuber) statue to be built at Buri near the Indo-Bhutan border. He gave the name Jamtseling for the Jamba (Kuber) statue besides donating Rs 50 thousand from his side for its construction. His Holiness was supposed to perform the rituals after landing at Lumla on April 4th, which couldn’t materialise due to rescheduling of his programme.
RWD Parliamentary Secretary Jambey Tashi, Tawang legislator Tsering Tashi, monks and officials were present during the consecration.
