TOKYO: In a special message to a 3-day Tibet Festival held in Tokyo, His Holiness the Dalai Lama mentioned that the Tibetan culture and knowledge based on ancient Indian Nalanda tradition is not only unique but very relevant in today’s world to tackle troubles resulting from too much emphasis on material values rather than inner values. His Holiness remarked that the Tibetan culture must be utilized for the well being of humanity.
The Tibet Festival titled ‘The Art of Peace’ was organized in Tokyo from 28-30 June to showcase Tibetan culture and Buddhism. Four monks of Namgyal Monastery led by abbot venerable Thomthog Rinpoche constructed sand mandala medicine Buddha and conferred Medicine Buddha empowerment. Loten Namling, a Tibetan singer based in Switzerland, presented traditional Tibetan songs. The festival was organized by Sherab Kyetsel Ling Institute run by Hirofumi Sakura, a Mongolian working for Tibetan and Mongolian cultural and Buddhist exchange activities. The Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama provided support to the Tibet festival.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s special video message was screened at a function to celebrate his 84th birthday organized by Sherab Kyetsel Ling Institute in Tokyo on 26 June. The celebration was marked with a public talk by venerable Thomthog Rinpoche on the life history, legacy and three commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, to promote the cultivation of warm-heartedness and human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline, and encouraging harmony among the world’s religious traditions.
Mr. Lungtok, the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Japan thanked the organisers for their efforts to create awareness on the issue of Tibet to a wider audience in Japan.
In his message, His Holiness said his meetings with scientists and religious leaders for the last more than 40 years made him realize that Tibet’s culture is not just ancient but also very sophisticated culture.
Expressing concern over today’s world facing an emotional crisis, His Holiness said: “modern civilization ignore inner values and positive emotions resulting in suffering and human beings killing each other.”
“Human intelligence combined with inner values like loving-kindness and compassion become constructive. However, if the human intelligence is combined with anger, attachment, ignorance and self-centred attitude, then it causes more problem,” His Holiness said.
“So we need to pay more attention to our inner values not by praying but by using our intelligence to have a clear understanding of the destructive emotions which are not only bad for own health but the whole society,” His Holiness said.
“Tibetans have kept alive the thousands-of-year-old ancient India’s Nalanda tradition about the study of human mind and psychology,” said Holiness, adding this approach based on reasoning and logic can contribute to making a healthy human being, healthy family and healthy society.
His Holiness further said “Tibetan culture based on rich ancient Indian psychology have been kept alive by Tibetans. I realize that Tibetan knowledge about psychology dealing with human emotion through reasoning is very important and it should be made academic subject in educational institutions.”
“I realize Tibetan Buddhism which comes from Nalanda tradition and modern science can go side by side as a number of scientists are showing deep interest in Buddhist psychology and philosophy. Therefore in the 21st century Nalanda tradition, particularly Tibetan Buddhism, can have some opportunity to serve humanity irrespective of believer or nonbeliever and whether Buddhist and non-Buddhist by simply training our mind and emotions.” His Holiness said.
His Holiness also said during his recent visit to Japan he had appealed to the Japanese Buddhist abbots that study is very important.
“Some Japanese abbots promised me that they will have classes to discuss Buddhist teachings and I hope it will continue. I am a Buddhist, but I never say Buddhism is the best. Tibetan Buddhism comes from Pali and Sanskrit traditions. Japan, which follows Sanskrit tradition, has a repository of texts for study.’
‘I very much appreciate the organizers of the Tibet festival. I have some special connection with inner Mongolians. When I study these Buddhist texts in the past, the main teacher was an inner Mongolian named Ngodup Tsognyi. Then in 1954 during my visit to Peking thousands of inner Mongolians came and brought me gifts like cheese,’ His Holiness concluded.
-Filed by Office of Tibet, Japan