There is a period of great adjustment taking place for Buddhists here in Syracuse as His Holiness the Dalai relinquishes his political position as the leader of the Tibetan government in exile while nevertheless maintaining his position as the spiritual leader of the Buddhist people. Buddhists here look towards His Holiness the Dalai Lama for spiritual guidance daily and feel his desires to concentrate on religious values should be respected.
Carly Selby-James has reported for The Tibet Post International "His Holiness Offers Reassurance to Tibetan People", http://bit.ly/emO3Dj.. The Dalai Lama reassured his followers that in giving up his political authority he is in no way deserting the Tibetan people and his commitment to all of the Buddhist people.
The Dalai Lama has commented that one of the main issues facing people was ignorance of the true meaning of Buddhism, saying that when he travels he always "asks many Buddhists what Buddhism is, and many of them don't have any real, good answer. Most of us really do not understand and do not study Buddhism", and must make an effort to engage in good practices and live by Buddhist values. And so Buddhists here in Syracuse are pleased about the Dalai Lama's continued strong commitment to encourage an awareness of Buddhist values.
The Dalai Lama always welcomes new and old admirers to join him in studying Buddhism. He encourages Buddhists never to be provoked by anger, saying that people should instead always confront things without becoming angry and use our human intelligence to deal with problems. And speaking of a discussion he once had with a group of scientists, the Dalai Lama has explained the unique logical nature of Buddhism by telling of how they had all realized that science and Buddhism have several things in common, relativity and the interdependent and impermanent nature of all things, and reason above faith and belief.
The Dalai Lama has held that the scientists, who usually have no interest in religion, often find they could understand and relate to Buddhism because it does not contain any belief of the concepts of a creator or soul. And this is enlightening for scientist and non-scientist Buddhists alike here in Syracuse who feel attached to the rational manners in which Buddhism deals with their lives.
The Dalai Lama has gone on to comment that "I think it's not good that I, the Dalai Lama, have all the spiritual and temporal authority." He feels now he will be able work more for the promotion of human values and religious harmony for Tibetans and other people across the world. But he has gone on to
reassure the Tibetan people, both inside Tibet and in exile, that "they don't have to worry" and that he is not abandoning them. The Buddhist community here in Syracuse joins Buddhists across the world in welcoming the Dalai Lama's new commitment to concentrate primarily in Buddhist spiritual values.
Mandel News Service: www.mandelnews.com
