World’s largest University to set up Center for Tibetan Studies [Saturday, 17 April 2010, 4:04 p.m.]

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with IGNOU Vice Chancellor V N Rajasekharan Pillai at the Mother Teresa memorial lecture “Mother and compassion” at Indira Gandhi National Open University, in New Delhi on Friday. Photo/ prokerala.com

New Delhi: Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), the world’s largest university with 2.8 million students on its roll will have a Center for Tibetan Studies to cater to growing interests in Tibetan studies.  This was announced by IGNOU’s vice chancellor Prof. V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai at the 3rd Mother Teresa Memorial symposium held at the convention hall of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) on Friday, April 16, in New Delhi. Addressing His Holiness the Dalai Lama who was the key speaker at the event, Prof. Pillai said, “Your Holiness, IGNOU has decided to set up a Center for Tibetan Studies.” Delivering the 3rd Mother Teresa memorial lecture on Mother and Compassion, His Holiness said Tibetans owe it to India for bringing Buddhism to Tibet. And when Buddhism itself was going through a difficult time in its birthplace, Tibetans helped preserve a vast treasure of ancient Buddhist texts, he said. “We are reliable and faithful chelas (followers) of India,” His Holiness said to a round of applause from the audience.   Lauding India’s tolerant spiritual tradition, His Holiness said that despite a few cases of mischievous and narrow-minded incidents, India has overall been very accommodating of various religious traditions. He recalled meeting BJP leader Shri L.K. Advani recently at a function in Rishikesh when Advani told His Holiness that the basis of India’s successful democratic system is its tolerance since ancient times not only for different religions but also the non-believers particularly the Charvaka school of thought that co-existed peacefully with other religious believers thousands of years ago. His Holiness said there is a similar mention of Charvakas in ancient texts of Tibetan Buddhism.    His Holiness also underscored the importance of criticism and debate among different viewpoints but said it is necessary to respect those who do not share a certain viewpoint. He said the concept of ‘One Religion, One Truth’ can be applied to a particular group of religious believers but when it comes various groups of humanity, it is the concept of ‘Many Religions, Many Truths,’ that works. He also referred to prime minister Manmohan Singh’s recent remarks in which he talked about China progressing more than India economically but the country having other fundamental values — democracy, openness, transparency, free information, independent judiciary — which the Chinese lack. Recalling his visit to Mother Teresa’ center in Calcutta, His Holiness said, “I was really very much impressed. Even if Mother Teresa was physically not there but her spirit, her compassion, her dedication to serve people, particularly the poor were very much there.” The guest of honor at the function, Most Reverend Archbishop Dominic Jala, the Archbishop of Shillong in his address extended an invitation to His Holiness to visit the north-eastern state. Archbishop Dominic Jala said His Holiness’ visit will provide solace and guidance to many in the violence-prone region of north-east India. Other guests at the function were Prof. Gracious Thomas, director of School of Social Work at IGNOU and coordinator of Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) Chair and Sister Marina, principal of Jesus and Mary College at Delhi University. Present in the about 600-strong audience were the faculty and students of IGNOU, various NGO representatives and social workers. The event is part of IGNOU’s yearlong Silver Jubilee celebration since November 19, 2009. Various renowned experts and practitioners from different areas and academic disciplines are invited to deliver talks, discussions and lectures. The Silver Jubilee lectures are likely to end after November 19, 2010.Former president of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam had delivered the first Mother Teresa Memorial lecture and the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Mr. Navin Chawla delivered the second lecture. –Report filed by Tsering Tsomo, Media Coordinator, New Delhi Bureau of H.H. the Dalai Lama