(TibetanReview.net, Jul29, 2017) –Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, on Jul 27 took part in a seminar on communal harmony in Choglamsar region of Ladakh in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir which was organized by local Buddhist and Muslim groups. The venue was the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies and the occasion the centenary of the birth of the late Bakula Rinpoche, Ladakh’s tallest leader in the 20th century.
Following an introduction on Bakula Rinpoche by Rinchen Namgyel, President of the Youth Wing of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (YWLBA) and one of the organizers of the seminar, the gathering was addressed by a representative each from the co-organizers the Anjuman Imamia Youth Wing and the Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam Youth Wings. They recalled Bakula Rinpoche’s immense contributions for the general good of all Ladakh and admiration for the Dalai Lama for his message about all peoples being members of one human family irrespective of their belief in different religions and so on.
Addressing the seminar on ‘Communal Harmony – Foundation of World Peace’, the Dalai Lama began by saying that across the world the beginning of the 21st century has generally been better than the 20th century in terms of people being fed up with violence and nurturing a genuine desire for peace.
He said: “We all want to live a happy life, so we have to learn to live together in trust and mutual respect. We do have differences of race, nationality, religious faith and so on, but these differences are secondary in comparison to our equality in being human. When I heard scientists say they had evidence that basic human nature is compassionate, I thought, ‘There’s real hope’.”
He also said: “Helping others brings deep satisfaction. No matter how powerful we may seem to be, our survival depends on the community. Clearly the community is crucial to individual happiness, so if we make others happy, we too derive benefit. … By learning to be more warm-hearted we can create a more compassionate world. As members of Institutions like this you can make a difference here in Ladakh, in Jammu & Kashmir and in India at large.”
A representative of Christian Students offered the vote of thanks.