As the world reels from a growing number of violent attacks on civilian populations aimed at inciting fear and division, His Holiness the Dalai Lama warned on Sunday of the dangers posed by religious faith combined with attachment, leading to hatred and intolerance and a rejection of the necessary reality of a pluralistic society. “Attachment to faith makes you believe in one truth, one religion,” he said. “The belief in one truth makes you biased, leading to one belief trying to kill another. You want to impose your beliefs on others, rejecting the reality of many religions.” (Deccan Chronicle)

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was delivering the first National Institute for Advanced Studies (NIAS) Distinguished Fellow Lecture in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore). Founded in 1988, the NIAS is a center of higher learning engaged in interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research in the natural sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities.

“Don’t use the name of religion for terrorism. The conflict in religion arises when there is a conflict for power. Some Muslim countries around the world are in conflict. Indian Muslims should take an active role in bringing more harmony within the community,” His Holiness continued. (Deccan Chronicle)

He emphasized that education must play a pivotal role in transforming modern society: “The only hope that we have is education. An education that can produce healthy minded people who can be compassionate and forgiving.” (The Times of India)

“Weapons and economy will not create a peaceful world, but a secular education system will. Those who create wars survive, but innocent children and young mothers suffer,” the Dalai Lama said. (Deccan Chronicle)

The present education system breeds material values, he observed, adding, “That a joyful, happy life is everybody’s desire is indisputable, but to achieve the same one has to learn how to be compassionate and forgiving.” (The Times of India)

His Holiness compared a rich American friend whose life was consumed with worry despite his economic prosperity to a Catholic monk from Barcelona he had met who was happy despite having very little in the way of material wealth. He described how the monk had spent five years meditating alone in the mountains, living on little more than tea, bread, and water. When asked about his practice, the monk replied, with a sparkle in his eye that betrayed an inner joy, that he meditated on love.

“What I conclude from this is that mental experience is far more effective than sensory experience,” The Dalai Lama said. “Therefore, to be happy we need inner strength and self-confidence. And it seems to me that warm-heartedness is the source of that inner strength.” (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)

“I often ask myself what is the purpose of our lives and conclude that life’s purpose is to be happy. We have no guarantee what will happen in the future, but we live in hope. That’s what keeps us going. Contrary to popular belief, the ultimate source of happiness is not a wealth of material goods but a mental feeling of joy. There is sometimes insufficient understanding of the difference between sensory consciousness and mental consciousness.” (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)

“The current world is divided into two generations—one belonging to the 20th century and other to the 21st century,” he said. “The 20th century or the century that bred hatred is over and much cannot be done about it. But the future is meant to be changed and the youth of the 21st century should come together and promote peace for a better future.” (The New Indian Express)

See more

Tolerance is areligious, says Dalai Lama (The Times of India)
Attachment to faith leads to violence: Dalai Lama (Deccan Chronicle)
All Religions Preach Tolerance: Dalai Lama (The New Indian Express)
Talks to Diplomatic Consular Corps of Karnataka and at National Institute of Advanced Studies (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)