Thousands Gather at Indiana University to Hear His Holiness on The Heart Sutra

[Thursday, 13 May 2010, 9:35 a.m.]

His Holiness the Dalai Lama prepares to speak to students, faculty, and guests at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. , Wednesday, May 12, 2010/AP Photos

Bloomington, IN: His
Holiness began his first full day in Bloomington with a mandala
offering ceremony by Arjia Rinpoche, Director of the Tibetan Mongolian
Buddhist Culture Center, and attended by several lamas and monks.  In
his brief remark, His Holiness suggested that special attention be paid
to the study of Buddhism. He advised the Center to strive to start
classes in the study of logic, which he said would be of use to people
in all fields.  He asked that there be effort to bring in Mongol,
Tibetan and Himalayan students, who need not be monks. Talking
about Taktser Rinpoche, who had founded the Center and who had passed
away, His Holiness said there definitely will be his reincarnation. 
His Holiness explained the role of the 13th Dalai Lama in finding the
reincarnation of the former Taktser Rinpoche and said that he had some
responsibility in finding the next incarnation.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks to students, faculty, and guests at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. , Wednesday, May 12, 2010.

His
Holiness then met with members of the International Tibet Independence
Movement during which he told them about his commitment to a Middle Way
solution for Tibet. He, however, said as far as the history of Tibet is
concerned it is a fact that it had an independent status.Thereafter,
His Holiness met a group of Kalmyk Buddhists, both monks and lay people
before leaving for the teaching venue, the auditorium of Indiana
University.The auditorium was full and the program began with
the recitation of the Heart Sutra in Sanskrit and Chinese. Thereafter,
His Holiness gave an overview on the role of religion to lay a
foundation on why people needed to understand the tenets of other
religions, like the Heart Sutra scripture, even if they did not
practice it.  His Holiness said while people should have faith in one’s
own religion, they should nevertheless have respect for other
religions. In order to respect other religious traditions, His Holiness
said there was the need to understand the religion first.  His Holiness
then spent the rest of the day in beginning explanation of the text as
well as answering questions from the people in the afternoon.Following
lunch, His Holiness met with the Vice President of Indiana University
and some other individuals. He then briefly addressed the sponsors of
the teachings.  His Holiness told them that they should dedicate
whatever merit they had accumulated to the wellbeing of the entire
human community and if possible to all the sentient beings. Before
beginning the afternoon teaching, His Holiness participated in the
launching of a unique book on Buddhist-Islam relations.  Following the
afternoon, teaching, His Holiness returned to his residence.  His
Holiness will complete his teaching on May 13, 2010 morning.  In the
afternoon, His Holiness will meet the press and also give an audience
to the Tibetan community.–Report filed by Bhuchung K Tsering of ICT