Mumbai: His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressed an enthusiastic crowd of over 2000 students at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in Mumbai this Friday. His talk concluded a three-day visit to the city.
In the hourlong conversation, His Holiness reiterated his principal commitments and on that, emphasised the importance of combining modern science with ancient knowledge of inner peace.
He observed how happiness is very much related to inner peace. Inner peace, he said comes from giving rise to our kind thoughts and compassion, which in turn empowers you to be honest, truthful and at peace. “This self-confidence brings peace of mind, which also favours good health. That way we will be happy individuals, happy families, happy societies and eventually a happy world.”
“I’m glad to see that you are mostly young people. When I’m among people like you, I feel younger too. My dear brothers and sisters, time is always moving on. Those of you who are not yet 30 years old belong to the generation of the 21st century. Whatever happened in the past can’t be changed, but the future is still in your hands. Those of you who belong to the 21st century, if you make the effort now, can create a better, happier world,” His Holiness said, as he opened his greetings.
He added, “It’s good to remember that other human beings are like us. We are born the same way; we die the same way. While we’re alive it’s better to be able to trust each other as friends. We earn other people’s trust when we show a genuine concern for their well-being.
“When we look back on the 20th century, there was far too much violence. Even the period after the Second World War was spoiled by fear and apprehension of further violence during the ‘Cold War’. Some historians have estimated that during the last century 200 million human beings suffered violent death as a result of war. If it had led to a better world, it might have been justified, but that isn’t the case.”
“Although many people today seek peace, killing and violence are still taking place. People are even being killed in the name of religion, which is unthinkable. This is an example of our problems being of our own making. Young children don’t care about nationality, faith or caste. Because these ideas prompt us to think in terms of ‘us’ and ‘them’, they are divisive. They lead to violence, bullying and exploitation, and worst of all killing. The remedy is to look deeper and recognise that we human beings are physically, mentally and emotionally the same. We all have the potential to develop compassion.
“We first experience affection and compassion in infancy at the hands of our mother. Medical experts point out that while constant anger and fear undermine our physical health, cultivating a warm-hearted attitude restores it. Therefore, in addition to teaching about physical hygiene, we should encourage emotional hygiene, learning to tackle our destructive emotions and enhance those that are beneficial.
For a complete understanding of emotional hygiene, he said the best reference would be the Ancient Indian knowledge of the workings of the mind and emotions.
“Knowledge of the workings of the mind and emotions has developed in India over the last 3000 years. Practices for cultivating a calmly abiding mind and insight, (shamatha and vipashyana), common to several spiritual traditions, contribute to the attainment of peace of mind.”
“To study well we need a clear mind. When I was young I was reluctant to study, but later I came to appreciate that what I’d learned then was useful. It had the effect of opening up my intelligence. Those of you who have the opportunity today, please study well. Learn to combine your intelligence with warm-heartedness.”
Responding to a question on the possibility of a female Dalai Lama, His Holiness answered “Yes,” and pointed out that the Buddha had given his followers, women and men, equal opportunity in terms of ordination.
His Holiness also spoke on climate change as a serious challenge, reporting that he has observed a steady decline in snowfall in Tibet and later in Dharamsala where he lives now. He warned that this will undoubtedly have a serious impact on water supply. Asked what he expects of future developments in technology, His Holiness mentioned that while others have great hopes for the development of artificial intelligence, he tends to be sceptical. In his view, technological development is derived from the human ingenuity and there is still a long way to go before technology emulates human consciousness.
Tomorrow, His Holiness will return to Delhi before travelling on to Bodhgaya.