His Holiness the Dalai Lama meets Korean Buddhists in Tokyo
[Sunday, 27 June 2010, 10:15 p.m.]
| His Holiness the Dalai Lama (R) receives a special scroll from a Korean monk in Yokohama, Japan, on 27 June 2010/Photos by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL |
Yokohama, Japan:
Over 500 South Korean Buddhists received an audience with His Holiness
the Dalai Lama this afternoon at the the convention hall of the
Intercontinental Grand Hotel at Yokohama in Tokyo.
Over 500 South Korean Buddhists received an audience with His Holiness
the Dalai Lama this afternoon at the the convention hall of the
Intercontinental Grand Hotel at Yokohama in Tokyo.
His
Holiness said traditionally countries like Korea and China are Buddhist
and expressed his appreciation for the way the Koreans are seriously
engaged in learning more about Buddhism. He said as common followers of
Buddhism, he has always wanted to meet “fellow Buddhists” not only in
South Korea but also other Buddhist countries such as Burma and Sri
Lanka where he has never been before. “My last visit to Thailand,
another Buddhist country, was in the 1960s but after that could not go
there again,” he said with a soft chuckle.
Holiness said traditionally countries like Korea and China are Buddhist
and expressed his appreciation for the way the Koreans are seriously
engaged in learning more about Buddhism. He said as common followers of
Buddhism, he has always wanted to meet “fellow Buddhists” not only in
South Korea but also other Buddhist countries such as Burma and Sri
Lanka where he has never been before. “My last visit to Thailand,
another Buddhist country, was in the 1960s but after that could not go
there again,” he said with a soft chuckle.
In
his brief talk, he asked the Koreans to be 21st century Buddhists by
mastering modern scientific education as well as Buddhism. “Like great
masters of the ancient Nalanda University, you must study and examine
the Buddhist texts and practice the teachings in your daily life,” he
said.
his brief talk, he asked the Koreans to be 21st century Buddhists by
mastering modern scientific education as well as Buddhism. “Like great
masters of the ancient Nalanda University, you must study and examine
the Buddhist texts and practice the teachings in your daily life,” he
said.
| His Holiness the Dalai Lama with around 500 Korean monks and laity in Yokohama, Japan, on 27 June 2010 |
Referring
to commentaries authored by Nalanda Indian masters, His Holiness
stressed the importance of studying Nagarjuna’s commentary on the
concept of emptiness and Chandakirti’s commentary on Nagarjuna’s works
which is used as the main text by Tibetan Buddhist practitioners in
studying emptiness. The latter’s work, he said, will be of immense help
in understanding Buddhist Dialectics as well. He explained briefly the
Buddhist concept of Clear Mind in generating compassion and practicing
analytical meditation.
to commentaries authored by Nalanda Indian masters, His Holiness
stressed the importance of studying Nagarjuna’s commentary on the
concept of emptiness and Chandakirti’s commentary on Nagarjuna’s works
which is used as the main text by Tibetan Buddhist practitioners in
studying emptiness. The latter’s work, he said, will be of immense help
in understanding Buddhist Dialectics as well. He explained briefly the
Buddhist concept of Clear Mind in generating compassion and practicing
analytical meditation.
While
handing over a gift of Nagarjuna’s scroll to a head priest of Korean
Buddhists, His Holiness told the audience to become students of great
Nalanda masters who had shown that Buddhist practitioners can
incorporate scientific approach in their study of Buddha’s teachings.
“I am 75 but I still study the texts by these great Buddhist
professors,” he added.
handing over a gift of Nagarjuna’s scroll to a head priest of Korean
Buddhists, His Holiness told the audience to become students of great
Nalanda masters who had shown that Buddhist practitioners can
incorporate scientific approach in their study of Buddha’s teachings.
“I am 75 but I still study the texts by these great Buddhist
professors,” he added.
–Report filed by Tsering Tsomo
