![His Holiness the Dalai Lama meeting with a group from Taiwan who attended his talks in Osaka, Japan on May 13, 2016. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL](https://tibet.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2016-05-13-Osaka-G05-_D4D1653.jpg)
His Holiness the Dalai Lama meeting with a group from Taiwan who attended his talks in Osaka, Japan on May 13, 2016. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
OSAKA, Japan: His Holiness the Dalai Lama today concluded his four-day Buddhist teachings which was held from 10-13 May at the Osaka International Convention Center.
Before entering the teaching hall, His Holiness met a group of Taiwanese devotees and spoke to them for a few minutes. His Holiness urged them to develop warm heartedness and compassion, at the same time, speaking about his inability to visit Taiwan in the last few years.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama then went to the convention center to begin the final day of his teaching. His Holiness started with the preparatory rituals for Manjushri permission, followed by recitation of the heart sutra by monks from Japan and China.
Following th recitation of the heart sutra, His Holiness gave the Upasaka vows on the lay people and Bodhisatva vows to members of the clergy in the audience. Conferring the vows, His Holiness the Dalai Lama urged the audience to refrain from the ten negative actions.
His Holiness then conferred the Manjushri permission to the public. His Holiness said that he received the Manjushri permission from his teachers including Khunu Rinpoche, Ling Ripoche, Trijang Rinpoche and Tagdra Rnpoche.
In the afternoon, a question and answer session was held, wherein, members of the public posed questions to His Holiness the Dalai Lama ranging from personal dilemmas to issues of politics, Buddhist doctrines, and philosophy.
Responding to a question about what is the best Buddhist tradition, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that it is better to study several traditions so that one would have a broader outlook. He also added that all Tibetan Buddhist traditions are based on the Nalanda tradition even though there are minor differences.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama further clarified that it was because of such narrow mindedness that has stirred the Shugden issue. Proponents of the Shugden spirit advocate that Gelugpas should not touch Nyingma texts, which is a divisive attitude. He said that although he had propitiated the spirit himself at one time, he gave it up when he realised its drawbacks particularly its harmful attitude to other traditions.
His Holiness also advised about the harmful effects of consuming alcohol in response to a question posed by a woman who couldn’t stop her drinking habits. “Drinking in itself is not bad. However, the effects of drinking such as intoxication could impel you to commit negative deeds. Moreover, its also unhealthy as well. So if you cannot stop it completely, you should at least reduce the consumption gradually,” His Holiness said.
Responding to another question, His Holiness emphasised the importance of the monastic community, repeating the Buddha’s advice that where the Vinaya is observed the Dharma will flourish. He mentioned that there are aspects of Buddhist science and philosophy, such as its understanding of the workings of the mind and emotions, as well as the view of dependent origination, that may be helpful even to those not interested in Buddhism.
After a series of questions, His Holiness retired to his room concluding his four-day teaching at Osaka. On the way back to his room, devotees and old friends lined up the hallway with Tibetan scarves to greet and bid farewell.
His Holiness will return to India tomorrow from Narita international airport, Tokyo.
![A member of the audience asking His Holiness the Dalai Lama a question during the last session of his teachings in Osaka, Japan on May 13, 2016. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL](https://tibet.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2016-05-13-Osaka-G13-_OHH9576.jpg)
A member of the audience asking His Holiness the Dalai Lama a question during the last session of his teachings in Osaka, Japan on May 13, 2016. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
![His Holiness the Dalai Lama with members of a group from Taiwan after their meeting in Osaka, Japan on May 13, 2016. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL](https://tibet.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2016-05-13-Osaka-G04-_D4D1637.jpg)
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with members of a group from Taiwan after their meeting in Osaka, Japan on May 13, 2016. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL