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Thursday 1 January 2015

Dalai Lama Sees Big Role For India Globally
PUNE: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama said the solution to 21st century's problems can be found through dialogue, talks, meetings and a spirit of reconciliation.

Speaking at a public function in Pune on Wednesday, Dalai Lama said that India, despite its problems, is a very stable country. "If its ancient knowledge is applied as an academic subject, combined with modern technology, Indians can make a major contribution to the world," he said.

Dalai Lama inaugurated Chanakya Mandal's new eight-storey educational-cum-residential building in Warje.

Addressing a packed auditorium, the Tibetan spiritual leader said that of the three ancient civilizations -- the Indus valley civilization, Chinese civilization and Egyptian civilization, the Indus valley civilization (the earliest known urban culture of the Indian subcontinent) has produced the most marvelous thinkers and philosophers. "India has a long history of over a thousand years. Concepts such as ahimsa, secularism and religious harmony have been known to India since ages. Modern India, as we see it now, has concepts such as free press, freedom of speech and expression. All these virtues have made India one of the most stable and reliable countries, despite its problems. Indians have great potential. If India's ancient knowledge is applied as an academic subject, combined with modern technology, Indians can make a significant contribution to the world," the Dalai Lama said.

He urged the generation below 30 years of age to shape and build the 21st century, making it a centre of peace. "Historians have said that over 200 million people have been killed in the 20th century alone due to violence. Thus, it is in the hands of the current generation to build a more stable 21st century. The only solution to all the problems of the century is through meaningful dialogue. So, the 21st century should be a centre of dialogue too. Functioning on the premise that real solution could only come through dialogue, talks and meetings is a way to make the century peaceful," said the 79-year-old spiritual mentor.

While speaking on the topic 'Secular Ethics', the Dalai Lama said that people need to feel a sense of oneness with all the seven billion people on this planet regardless of their religions or faiths, considering them as human beings first. "What is needed is oneness of the 7 billion people on the planet. All these 7 billion human beings have the same right to happiness and thus, it is absolutely wrong to harm or exploit another," he said.

On an audience member's question on terrorism, the Dalai Lama said that all major religions carry the message of love, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline. "The problem arises when people do not sincerely follow religion. All religions have the potential to curb destructive emotions. The actual meaning of the word 'Jihad' too means 'to combat our inner destructive emotions', and not bloodshed," he said.

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