By Tsering Tsomo
Yokohama (Japan), June 27: The secular nature of moral ethics is common to all religions despite differences in belief systems because these ethics of compassion, peace and global responsibility are common to all religions, said His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the conclusion of a brief talk during his visit to Sojiji Temple at Tsurumi in Yokohama this morning.
“Even non-Buddhist practitioners such as the Christians listen to my talks on philosophical aspects of Tibetan Buddhism and understand my message on the importance of secular values as these values are common to all religions,” he said, adding all are human beings first and therefore cultivating a sense of global responsibility is crucial in bringing genuine peace and compassion.”
He was speaking to over 1,700 people including monks, local devotees and school children who had gathered at the main temple of the Soto-shu sect of Buddhism to listen to His Holiness.
He said it is important to delineate a clear line between religious faith and religious culture when asked by an audience member on how to stay true to one’s religion and at the same time appreciate other faiths. He said Tibetan Muslims in Tibet practiced Islam but their cultural habits were no less Tibetan. But ultimately when it comes to decide which religion to choose, it is up to the individual’s own personal preferences. He also led a prayer of the Heart Sutra in Japanese which he said is common to all Buddhists.
Responding to another question, he said since coming into exile in India over 51 years ago, he had the opportunity to visit many highly developed countries such as Japan and United States where he witnessed the problems faced by many people in finding inner peace. These problems he said, are caused by lack of moral principles which shows the limitations of material development. During the talk, His Holiness warmly hugged a single mother of two to comfort her as she broke down in tears sharing her daily struggle to find peace.
At the end of the talk, school kids gifted His Holiness some hand-made sketches of the Sojiji Temple. The temple runs many educational institutions and universities among them the Tsurumi University, and the Setaya Gakuen School where on June 25 His Holiness delivered a talk to middle and high school students.
Interaction with Korean Buddhists in Tokyo
Over 500 South Korean Buddhists received an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama this afternoon at the the convention hall of the Intercontinental Grand Hotel at Yokohama in Tokyo.
His Holiness said traditionally countries like Korea and China are Buddhist and expressed his appreciation for the way the Koreans are seriously engaged in learning more about Buddhism. He said as common followers of Buddhism, he has always wanted to meet “fellow Buddhists” not only in South Korea but also other Buddhist countries such as Burma and Sri Lanka where he has never been before. “My last visit to Thailand, another Buddhist country, was in the 1960s but after that could not go there again,” he said with a soft chuckle.
In his brief talk, he asked the Koreans to be 21st century Buddhists by mastering modern scientific education as well as Buddhism. “Like great masters of the ancient Nalanda University, you must study and examine the Buddhist texts and practice the teachings in your daily life,” he said.
Referring to commentaries authored by Nalanda Indian masters, His Holiness stressed the importance of studying Nagarjuna’s commentary on the concept of emptiness and Chandakirti’s commentary on Nagarjuna’s works which is used as the main text by Tibetan Buddhist practitioners in studying emptiness. The latter’s work, he said, will be of immense help in understanding Buddhist Dialectics as well. He explained briefly the Buddhist concept of Clear Mind in generating compassion and practicing analytical meditation.
While handing over a gift of Nagarjuna’s scroll to a head priest of Korean Buddhists, His Holiness told the audience to become students of great Nalanda masters who had shown that Buddhist practitioners can incorporate scientific approach in their study of Buddha’s teachings. “I am 75 but I still study the texts by these great Buddhist professors,” he added.
