By Kalsang Rinchen
Dharamsala, November 24 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama said Islam is one of the most important religions of the world and that it can not be blamed for a few miscreants creating trouble. The Tibetan leader was speaking Tuesday at the annual convocation of Jamia Millia Islamia university in the Indian capital where he was conferred upon with the honorary doctorate degree.
The Tibetan leader said Islam is the religion of the heart and needs to be protected. He said that Islam should not be generalised as “something fearful” just due to a handful of miscreants. “Jehad is not a medium of attack. There is a need to break this false notion as Jehad actually means to conquer the evil within individuals. Life is not easy and there is no guarantee, young individuals must have a vision to take it forward in a constructive manner,” he said.
The Tibetan leader said receiving a degree from Jamia Millia Islamia, “a university with a Muslim flavour”, was special. “This degree from a university with Muslim flavour is special as I am committed to religious harmony. Since September 11, I have been defending Islam. For a few misguided people we should not blame a religion. Islam is one of the important religions in the planet, and hope for millions of people,” said His Holiness.
Najeeb Jung, the vice-chancellor of the university conferred the Degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) on the 14th Dalai Lama. Union HRD, science and technology and communication and IT minister Kapil Sibal was also present at the convocation.
His Holiness first spoke in Tibetan, and then said, “I would try my luck with broken English only. Please excuse me if I mistakenly use some wrong words. I hope to convey my message even if it has to be wrong English.”
“We should not generalize Muslims for a few mischievous followers of Islam. There are mischievous elements in all religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism. Problems we are facing in the world today are our own creation. To create a harmonious society, we need young people with vision and for that education and moral ethics should go hand in hand,” said Dalai Lama.
Vice chancellor Jung urged those present “to soak in the presence of His Holiness and the values he shares with our ancient land”.
The Tibetan leader arrived at his hilltown home of Mcloed Ganj here Wednesday morning after giving several religious teachings in Japan and attending several events in the Indian capital.
His Holiness will give three-day teachings on Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo’s 37 Practices of A Boddhisattva (laklen sodunma) and confer a Guhyasamaja Initiation at the request of a group of Russian Buddhists.
