By Tenzin Dharpo
CHOGLAMSAR, LEH- Aug. 19: Beginning the teaching on Shantideva’s A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life (chodjug) at Shewatsal teaching ground yesterday, the Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressed the congregation here at on the significance of learning and understanding what the Buddhist scriptures and doctrines preach. “Faith without learning the essence of Buddhism is merely following tradition that has been passed on,” he said at the start of the day’s teaching.
The 81 year old Nobel laureate stressed, “We are not gathered here for a performance or even a meeting, rather we are here to expound on the teachings of Buddha. Hence, for a fruitful venture both the teacher and the student must strive to exhibit genuine and pure resolve to teach and learn. If we fail to do so we might as well be here to sin together.”
With the harsh Ladakhi sun upon a crowd of close to thirty thousand people consisting of Tibetans, Ladakhis, western devotees and tourists, the Dalai Lama called for harmony between all religious traditions.The Tibetan leader attended a luncheon organized by Shia and Balti Muslim community at Chushod near Choglamsar on Wednesday.
The Tibetan leader, while speaking on the validity of Buddhist teachings, said, “The teachings of Buddha stymies the affliction at the core of one’s being and addresses the inner rift, unlike the short term pleasures derived from resorting to alcohol and recreational drugs.”
The teachings will go on until August 20 after which he will confer the Avalokiteshhvera Initiation (chenrezig wang) on August 21 before returning to Dharamsala.
