Inner calm can lead to global peace , says Dalai Lama

Speaking on ‘Finding happiness in troubled times’, the 75-year-old Lama appealed to the world to follow the Indian example of ahimsa and religious amity.

“India is the only country in the world where all world religions flourish in harmony. This is the country’s greatness and the world has much to learn from it,” he said.

He wanted his followers to learn from Parsis of Mumbai who “hardly numbered 1000 but their contribution to this country has been 1000 times more.”

The Lama lovingly chided  his followers for their seemingly growing neglect of Tibetan values. “Tibetans in exile are becoming more and more materialistic and are neglecting their roots and values. This often makes me wonder whether Tibetans need a separate homeland,” he said in a lighter vein.

Global peace is born in the individual mind. Each one of us should develop inner calm through good thoughts and meditation to achieve world peace.

Describing himself as the messenger of Buddha, the Lama said it was foolish to run after material wealth and seek world peace at the same time.

Referring to his experience when he underwent an operation, he said the doctors had unusual trouble and feared the worst but he had absolutely no fear and that eventually helped him recover fast.
It is the sixth sense, the mental perception that gives quality to life and helps one judge things correctly.

Sensorial understanding cannot make a judgment. “We all have the seed of Buddha in us. It has to be developed with conscious effort,” he said. About 1000 people, were present at the National College ground to hear him.