By Tenzin Tsering
Dharamsala, November 9: The Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama talked about developing realistic approaches towards a more peaceful world at Intex Osaka Hall in Japan on Sunday. He was addressing a crowd of thousands of mostly schoolchildren from 29 different countries.
“The responsibility for building a more peaceful, less violent world lies on your shoulders. For that, you need vision in your mind. Not just a desire for peace, but vision for something realistic and reasonable,” said the Dalai Lama.
Speaking for nearly 2 and a half hours on “Peace in 21st century”, the Tibetan leader indisposed with a cold and hoarse voice explained that “disagreement will be always there” but it is important to develop inner peace in face of differing opinions and philosophies.
The talk on “Peace in the 21st century” was one of main events of Junior Chamber of Commerce’s eight-day program entitled “Peace Conference of Youth”.
The Tibetan leader on his second day in Japan was at the ancient Buddhist temple of Nara at Todaiji where he was joined by monks from different local groups in a prayer session with a huge gathering of tourists, local Japanese and school children who were present to cheer and welcome him.
Instead of building grand monasteries and statues of Buddha, the Dalai Lama said it is better to print sutras and distribute them and that the 21st century Buddhist must also possess knowledge of science and secular matters.
“What we need is teaching, study of Dharma and statues do not teach us. It is sometimes better to build a learning centre,” he said.
Speaking before thousands of people later in the day at the temple, the Dalai lama reiterated that “force is an unrealistic method” in providing a long term solution to any problem.
“In the short term a gun is very decisive; in the long run it cannot solve any problem.”
The gathering was attended by Koreans, Japanese, monks and schoolchildren with whom the Dalai Lama engaged in an interaction.
His Holiness will leave travel to Niihama city of Shikoku island Tuesday. The Tibetan leader will have a public discussion with one of Japan’s famous neurologists, Mogi Kenichiro. His Holiness will also give teaching on Heart Sutra and Emptiness in the region.
