‘All Religions Have Same Potential To Promote Harmony’[Sunday, 5 September 2010, 2:27 p.m.]

Dharamshala:
In a keynote address at the 33rd World Congress of the International
Association for Religious Freedom in Kochi on Saturday, His Holiness
the Dalai Lama called for complete freedom to practice different
religions, emphasising that all the religious traditions preach the
same message of positive human values, PTI reported.There
may be differences in the philosophies and traditions of different
religions be it Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Jainism, Buddhism,
Sikhism, but they all profess the same message of love, compassion,
tolerance and contentment and there is need to respect all religions,
he said.”Keep faith in once own religion, but respect all
religious tradition,” he said. “Some manipulate religious faith. It is
very sad.” he added.Describing the 21st century as a century of
dialogue, His Holiness underscored the need for dialogue between
religions to promote harmony.He said people are taking interest
in Russia and China now. “Outwardly they may be atheist, inwardly they
are religious,” he said adding that in western countries also
scientists were now showing interest in spirituality.

Negligence
and exploitation of mineral resources around the world have caused
disasters in the form of floods and drought in Pakistan, some parts of
Africa, China, Tibet and Ladakh. “There is need to develop sense of
global responsibility towards our planet, he said.Later at an
interactive session, His Holiness was asked by a women delegate if he
saw a special role for women in this century of dialogue. “’No doubt
about that. Biologically women have greater potential for compassion
and love. Even when fathers disappear, mothers take care. Therefore
women should take more active role,” he replied.Replying to
another query, he said in modern education, more attention is being
paid to knowledge and brain development. But there is need to introduce
ethics in the education system to make it more wholistic.Earlier
in the morning, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was accorded a warm welcome
by hundreds of Tibetans and well-wishers on his arrival at Kochi,
located in the south Indian state of Kerala.At the venue of the
World Congress of the International Association for Religious Freedom,
His Holiness was accorded a traditional reception. The programmes at
the venue started with a performance by the members of Japan Yoga
Association.The prayers of 12 religions were chanted prior to the beginning of the programme.(Click here for photo gallery)