INDORE: Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay yesterday addressed the third international Dharma-Dhamma Conference on the theme ‘Harmony of Religions-Welfare of Humankind’ at Indore city in Madhya Pradesh.
Political leaders and religious scholars from across India, Southeast Asia and around the world took part in the conference including Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Bhutanese foreign minister Lyonpo Damcho Dorji, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Ven. Banagala Upatissa Nayaka Thero, president of Mahabodhi Society (Sri Lanka) and HH Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II, head of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Kerala.
In the Valedictory Session along with HH Shri Shri Ravi Shankar and Hon. Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chauhan, as the Distinguished Guest of Honour. Hon. Sikyong began his speech by quoting H.H. the Dalai Lama, “My religion is simple. My religion is kindness” and underscored the importance of compassion as a core essence of leadership, giving a call to religious and political leaders to incorporate compassion in their official activities.
He said, “compassionate gurus lead to harmony of religions while compassionate leaders lead to the welfare of humankind.”
He stated that spiritualism is not the problem, but the interpretation, raising the question ‘how should the interpretation be?’
Sikyong quoted Mahatma Gandhi and said, “Like the bee gathering honey from different flowers, the wise person accepts the essence of the different scriptures and sees only the good in all religions.” He explained that the original teaching of all religions is status less and calls for love, compassion and non-violence, as is evident in the Christian holy book where it says, “So in Jesus Christ you are all children of God”.
“In Hinduism it says “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” meaning the world is one family while we Buddhists call for love towards all sentient beings, not just human beings and humankind,” Sikyong noted.
“Islam also shares the belief that all humans are created in the image of Allah and so is Jainism which professes non violence, non possession, and non absolutism,” Sikyong said, explaining that we should explore shared values among different religions of the world.
“The inherent inclusiveness of all religions that does not discriminate is turned to exclusiveness with religiosity by us. This exclusiveness becomes ideology and the individuals of the institution seek the spread of this ideology through the priests, pandits and mullahs,” Sikyong continued.
“The problem occurs during the transition of inclusiveness to exclusiveness as the concerned religious leaders exploit its disciples,” Sikyong said.
Sikyong’s address was met with a roaring applause from the several thousand people who have come to listen to the talk.
The International Conference on Dharma-Dhamma is organised by the Madhya Pradesh state cultural department in association with Sanchi University of Buddhist-Indic Studies and India Foundation. It was attended by more than 300 spiritual leaders, academics and experts from 26 countries. The first and second edition of the conference was held in 2012 and 2014 respectively.
The conference focused on the harmony of all religions and the usefulness of religion for individual, social and cosmic well being. Its central premise is to bring about solidarity, peace, prosperity and welfare in the world through the agency of religion.
The conference was also promoted as a prelude to the Simhastha fair or Maha Kumbh Mela to be held in holy city of Ujjain in April-May next year.
