“Buddhism is an academic subject”, the Dalai Lama

June 4th 2011

Dharamsala, HP, India, 3 June 2011 (By Sherab Woeser, phayul.com) - “Buddhism is an academic subject and Nalanda was an academic centre. The principles and tenets of Buddhism should not be just left in the scriptures”, said His Holiness the Dalai Lama to a packed auditorium of young Tibetans at Upper Tibetan Children’s Village School, Dharamsala, today.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arriving at Upper TCV School auditorium in the morning of June 3 for the introductory teachings on Buddhism.(Phayul Photo/Norbu Wangyal)

The Tibetan spiritual leader was giving the annual introductory teachings on Buddhism to young Tibetans at the request of the Buddhism Introductory Committee of Dharamsala, the fifth since the teachings were first requested in 2007.

Over 3000 Tibetans, studying in 78 different schools and colleges from all over India and abroad filled the Hermann Gmeiner auditorium, named after the war veteran philanthropist and founder of the SOS Children’s Villages, while many more listened to the teachings over the local radio station, Tashi Delek FM and the internet.

“No one is requesting you to please follow Buddhism or ordering you to listen to the teachings”, told His Holiness the young audience. “It is the choice of the individual and once you understand and realise the principle and tenets of Buddhism then you should follow it sincerely and imbibe it in your daily routine.”

Making his first public appearance since signing into law the amendments to the Charter affecting his formal devolution of political authority, the Dalai Lama appreciated the recent surge of interest in Tibetan language and culture in Tibet saying that ‘Tibetans enjoying freedom in exile should also emulate their farsightedness’.

Over 3000 Tibetan students from 78 different academic institutions are participating in the two-day introductory teachings on Buddhism by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. (Phayul Photo/Norbu Wangyal)
Cautioning the youths against the negative impacts of attachment to religion without its proper realisation, His Holiness said that religion being closely related to human emotions, people hungry for power and money, in the name of religion can thus easily manipulate such feelings of attachment.

Teaching from Nagarjuna’s text, ‘Hymn to the Buddha, The world Transcendent’ (jig rten las 'das par bstod pa), His Holiness spoke for over three hours, sharing personal experiences and jokes and at the close, took questions from the students.

“See you again, tomorrow”, said His Holiness in anticipation of the last day of teachings on June 4 before leaving the auditorium.

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“Buddhism is an academic subject”, the Dalai Lama

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