“While it is true China has a lot of military muscle, India too is now a powerful nation unlike in 1962. Given how strong both their militaries are, it is unlikely that India or China can defeat each other. In their own interest, they have to find a way of existing alongside peacefully. Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai is the only way ahead,” His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Lhamo Dondrub, said at the Mumbai campus of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences on Monday. He was taking questions soon after launching a special course in 'Secular Ethics,' for which he gave the inaugural lecture. “I won't be surprised if India and China engage in a limited conflict with each other over the current stand-off.”
He pointed out how both nations have a deep historical connect in Buddhism and should find a way of working with that. “Many feel China is a Communist country but it is home to the largest number of Buddhists in the world as more and more Chinese are accepting Buddhism. Almost all of them follow the Nalanda tradition. India should encourage Chinese Buddhists to come visit Gaya, Sarnath, Nalanda and other places of Buddhist interest. This will help foster emotional ties beyond boundaries.”
He couldn't resist taking pot shots at the Chinese establishment though. “The Chinese government is more interested in who the 15th Dalai Lama will be than me or any other Tibetan,” he said chortling away. “Within four years of coming to India, I created a draft constitution for Tibet to democratise our administrative set-up. In September 2001, after the Tibetan electorate voted to change our system from the feudal to a democratic one I have as good as retired.”
His Holiness elicited much laughter when he told the gathering that the Chinese refer to him as “Buddhist terrorist,” but pointed out how he was pained when he saw a Time magazine cover (on the violence against Rohingyas in Myanmar) which showed a monk who was called, “The Face of Buddhist Terror.” According to him labelling any community or religious group like this was fraught with danger. “It tarnishes an entire community and creates a negative feeling among them.”
While he denounced those following the path of violence as “not real followers of Islam,” he advised, “The world must stop cornering any one community over terror.” Without getting into specifics he said India should stick to its culture of love and compassion. “Only India can combine modern education and ancient wisdom for peace of mind. After all, so many religions and ways of life have co-existed in this land in harmony. The world's religions have all taken the concept of Karuna (compassion) from this land. Whether it is quantum physics or psychology, India is thousands of years ahead of the West.”
He also spoke of the parallel contradictions in communist China and deeply religious country like India. “They are both known for their corruption. I wonder if people light incense and make offerings of flowers to God asking Him to watch over their corrupt ways,” he said amidst loud cheers and much applause.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "dalai lama")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}