By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, June 1: The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama today began the annual Buddhist teachings for Tibetan youth from various TCV schools and colleges at the Thekchen Chöling Tsuglakhang, the main temple here. The Tibetan leader taught on Domthonpa’s A Tree of Faith – A Self-Exhortation from Book of Kadam on the first day today.
Attended by over 5,000 Tibetans and devotees including around 2,800 students from six different TCV schools, the Tibetan spiritual leader said that the students should not just strive for bookish knowledge during the three-day teachings. “While learning, getting good results during the examinations should not be the goal. Rather, you should have in depth understanding and when you have a firm understanding, it will lead to change in your mindset,” the Dalai Lama said while emphasizing the importance of reasoning and logic (Rig-lam) in schools.
His Holiness added that a thorough study of the teachings and various Buddhist philosophies would immensely benefit humanity. He also stated that wondrous human brain is for examining and that Buddhism is the only religion, where the teacher (Buddha) urges his disciples to first examine his teachings before accepting.
“Kangyur and Tengyur are scriptures which should not be kept at a high place to worship. It is food for the mind. Therefore, they should be studied and if it is not then it is wasted,” the Tibetan leader said.
The Tibetan spiritual leader reiterated the importance of Tibetan language saying it is the only language that can best explain the Nalanda Tradition. “Tibetans have the advantage of learning it directly. Hence, Tibetans hold the responsibility to preserve the language,” said His Holiness.
His Holiness told the Tibetan students to utilize the opportunity to study the rich knowledge of the Tibetan Buddhism to bring peace and to benefit the entire world.
This is the 10th year since the first ever teachings for Tibetan students began in 2007 at Upper TCV, organized by the Buddhism Introductory Committee of Dharamshala.
The BICD is a voluntary committee formed in 2006 to help Tibetan youngsters to stay accustomed with Buddha Dharma and Tibetan Buddhist culture by arranging introductory Buddhist classes.
