By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, July 11: The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama today commenced teaching on Kamalashila’s The Middle States of Meditation and Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo’s Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva at Disket Monastery’s teaching ground in Nubra valley.
The Dalai Lama, who arrived in Nubra for a five day visit yesterday, urged his devotees to examine and study Buddha’s teaching and not to blindly follow the teachings out of faith.
“I have always mentioned the need to become a 21st century Buddhist. No one should follow blindly,” the Tibetan spiritual leader said while speaking on the importance of secular ethics.
The recently turned 82-year-old exile leader yesterday graced the closing ceremony of the fifth Great Summer Debate at the teaching ground.
“Among the five or ten major sciences are included Sanskrit or linguistics, medicine, the arts and inner science, which is related to inner peace. From an academic view point, inner science could be about developing peace of mind and promoting it in the world. Secular ethics is likewise related to inner science,” said the spiritual leader.
Expressing his appreciation towards the organizers of the debate, the Dalai Lama also expressed his gladness over Muslim community for showing interest to take part in the debate.
The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader said, “Since we came into exile, debate and analytical study have not been confined to monastics, but have been made available to laypeople, as well as school and college students. This use of reason and logic is unique to our tradition.”
He had also said that training in it has allowed him to spot inconsistencies in theories and presentations presented by scientists in his more than 30 years of association.
Following his five days in Nubra, the Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit Padum, Zanskar for two days, where he will confer Avalokiteshvera Initiation and teachings at the Photang Teaching Ground.
