”]Dharamsala: His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama commenced the teachings of Shantideva’s “A Bodhisattva way of life” at Tsuglagkhang today. The teaching is organised at the request of a group of devotees from south east Asian countries especially Singapore and Malaysia.

 

The Dalai Lama in his address before commencing the teaching, stated that the main reason for the gathering today is because of the pursuit of Happiness. He said that the happiness derived from worldly possessions are temporary. The real happiness comes from peace of mind and a harmonious society. He added that a person who is at peace with himself and his environment will be better equipped to overcome unhappiness and is least likely to succumb to depression.

This is the fifth teaching requested by the south east Asian devotees since 2007. The three day teaching will conclude on the 1st of September 2011.

Around 5,500 devotees including 350 devotees from the Tibetan Buddhist Center, Singapore and 1300 devotees from China, Taiwan and the rest of the world as well as local Tibetans, attended the teaching.