On a daily basis Buddhists here in Syracuse have been looking towards the wise words of the Dalai Lama for guidance to deal with secular and spiritual affairs. The positions of the Dalai Lama on the affairs of the world helps Buddhists here maintain a calm understanding and acceptance of the world around them.
There has been interest over the years among the Buddhist Syracuse community in the relations between the Dalai Lama and India where he has lived in exile for decades. Therefore a report by YC. Dhardhowa which he has written for The Tibet Post International, "Tibet Issues Are also Issues of India: His Holiness the Dalai Lama", http://bit.ly/i1bF2M,, has been of special interest to Buddhists here.
On Monday His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that Tibet issues are also Indian's issues and that his deep-rooted relationship with India would not be affected by recent developments, including that of the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa controversy and also in the current political context of India's relationship with China. The origin of Buddhism was in India. The Dalai Lama has said that there are six million people in Tibet who are controlled by China but that 99 per cent of the population looks towards India.
While addressing a group on "Ethics for the new Millennium" at the D.D. Kosambi Festival of Ideas 2011 in India's commercial city Goa on Monday, the Dalai Lama answered a specific question whether he was concerned about the implications of the recent controversy and about the otherwise "growing feeling of inconvenience about his relationship which existed over decades" with India. His Holiness said that the incident would in no way hurt relations between India and Tibet, which he said were not just decades old, but went down thousands of years.
The Dalai Lama also said that compared to other nations India was stable because of democracy and an independent judiciary. The Dalai Lama also commented "For thousands of years India has been a messenger of 'Ahimsa' (Peace) and religious harmony. This itself is a message to the world." He went on to ask the media to play a responsible role. In reference to the media the Dalai Lama said "People in media have a special role to play. They can stop the wrong doings." He has advised the media to investigate stories thoroughly and inform truthfully in an unbiased manner.
These wise words from the Dalai Lama have helped to instill not just better understandings of Buddhist affairs overseas but have also helped Buddhists here maintain a firm commitment to adhering to the high ethics and peaceful pursuits which being Buddhist is all about. Buddhists here are pleased India shares these same high ideals.
Mandel News Service: http://www.mandelnews.com
