Filed by Tibet.Net Intern Tenzin Choetso
His Holiness the Dalai Lama arriving at Malmo University for his talk on ‘secular ethics’ to the students. Sweden, 13 September, 2018. Photo by Jeremy Russell.
Sweden: His Holiness the Dalai lama on Thursday, 13 September visited the Malmo University and presented a lecture on ‘Secular Ethics’ to the students as part of the 80th anniversary of the Swedish aid organisation Individuell Människohjälp (IM) thus, successfully completing the first leg of His four nation Europe visit.
Present there was the Vice Chancellor of the university, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Chancellor of the Global Engagement, President of the Student Union, members of Civil Society organisation and representatives of Malmo museum.
Expressing his gratitude to the IM for the enormous support rendered towards the development of Tibetan refugees, His Holiness affirmed that majority of the Tibetan refugees are now quite successful and well organised.
One major success if attained by the Tibetan refugees for the past 60 years said His Holiness, would be the preservation of traditional Tibetan knowledge which is adopted from ancient India’s Nalanda tradition, also a promoter of critical analytic knowledge.
“Even Buddha’s own words , we have right to investigate why?. Then if we find contradictions through analyse we have the liberty to reject Buddha’s own words” said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
His Holiness further reiterated that the need for preservation of this knowledge enabled the preservation of Tibetan language since the transcripts of the knowledge is preserved in the Tibetan language and Tibetans in exile are committed towards revival of this ancient knowledge. His Holiness also credited the Indian government for their input in the preservation of the Tibetan language and religion.
Speaking on the key topic of secular ethics, His Holiness affirmed that human beings are the major contributor of violence and destructions in the world and much worse, violence and killings in the name of religion despite the fact that all religions only teach love and compassion.
“ Now the remedy to reduce conflict in the name of religion, people have convictions in secular ethics which means basic human values and moral ethics without touching religion” confirmed His Holiness.
His Holiness further attributed the lack of basic human values as solely responsible for divisions in religions.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing the students of Malmo University in Malmo, Sweden on 13 September, 2018. Photo by Erik Torner/IM
Speaking on the logical aspect of basic human nature to be compassionate, His Holiness cited example of mother and child relationship and the love shared between them that survives them.
“ Constant anger, constant fear and hatred is actually eating our immune system” said His Holiness.
Meanwhile, His Holiness also pointed out the failure of education system today in incorporating basic human values in their discourses. He further claimed that modern education is more attentive of material values. Thus, he urged the people to create a compassionate world because compassion is inherent in human nature and education should be the medium to channelise those inner values. His Holiness equated hygiene of emotion to be as important as physical hygiene and thus emphasised that modern education system should include those values.
The very basis of social animals existence is attributed to warm heartedness and likewise sense of universal responsibility is much needed in todays world according to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Explaining the concept of secular, His Holiness stressed that secular in Indian context denotes respect for all religions and thus urged them to follow the Indian context of the word rather than the ones that says otherwise.
Declaring 20th century as the most violent in history, His Holiness advised to forgo the mindset of that century where violence and war were waged in the pursuit of name and fame. Instead, leaders of the nations should seek for common interest before nation interest.
Concluding his lecture on secular ethics , His Holiness necessitated that each human being should think about other human beings as each one of them are part of the 7 billion human beings on earth. And doing so, reveals the true sign of maturity as far as concept of humanity is concerned.
An interactive Q&A session was held following His Holiness lecture. His Holiness will leave for Netherlands tomorrow and give lecture on Buddhist teaching from 14 to 17 September.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama answering questions from the audience during his talk to students at Malmo University, Sweden on 13 September. Photo by Jeremy Russell.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama signing his chair “Buddhist monk Dalai Lama” at the conclusion of his talk at Malmo University, Sweden on 13 September, 2018. Photo by Jeremy Russell
His Holiness the Dalai Lama posing for phots with members of the audience after his talk to the student at Malmo University, Sweden on 13 September, 2018. Photo by Jeremy Russell.