Dalai Lama urges Indian youth to preserve ancient traditions

Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama (Photo - Tenzin Choejor)

New Delhi, April 2: I am a messenger of Indian ancient ethos, “Where ever I go, I talk about the non-violence and religious harmony of India” said Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness Dalai Lama.

“Usually I describe India as our Guru, we are chela(disciple). I consider myself firstly the chela and then, messenger of Indian ancient thoughts.”

“On non-violence and spirituality, I have hardly anything to say to the Indian brothers (and) sisters; you know these things for last more than 2000 years. However to the younger generation who have interest in science and technology and computers, its worthwhile to remind the tradition. I would say develop your country and also maintain these traditions” said Dalai Lama here in Teen Murti Bhawan speaking in a discussion on ‘non-violence and spiritual values in a secular India’ to mark the celebrations of birth centenary of former president R Venkataraman.

The 75-year old Tibetan spiritual leader also urged India to play a more active role in “promotion of non violence and religious harmony.” He says India kept these two things preserved and they are “very much alive even today” but its time to show to the rest of the world, “World need that. These two things are not ancient but very relevant in today`s world.”

His Holiness claimed that secularism is a major factor for maintaining religious harmony and secularism includes respecting non-believers also, especially when majority of seven billion people today are not deeply pious but they still are part of humanity.” Even without practicing any religious values, one can be a very nice person.”

Apart from non-violence, religious harmony and secularism, he stated that India cultivated democratic ideas in him. “I learned what’s democracy, freedom of speech (and) freedom of expression”.

He reminisced that it was normal for Jawaharlal Nehru to disagree with us. Comparing it with china, he told “In other portion, china, not like that. I learned nine years (1950-1959) dealing with Chinese leaders. Of course chairman Mao (Zedong) was quite exceptional. But then later I found, his nice promises were not sincere, later not implemented”.

His Holiness also shared his yesteryear experiences with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and R Venkataraman.