Truemors
is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
Dalai Lama celebrates 74th birthday, promises to live to 100
Share:
by Maireid Sullivan | July 18, 2009 at 11:12 pm
207 views | 26 Recommendations | 2 comments
Photos
On 6 July, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso celebrated his 74 birthday. "Through all your wishes, I will live longer. I do not know whether I can live for thousands years, but I am sure I will stay alive till I am 100 years old."
I feel comforted by his confidence that he will be with us, sharing his great wisdom, humility, and compassion, until at least 2035! His Holiness' first commitment is the promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline.
Here is a link to an earlier report on Tibet's amazingly rich resources, which, of course, is the main reason for China's determination to rule Tibet.
New Delhi, India, 6 July 2009 (Press Trust of India)
Dalai Lama Underlines Promotion of Secular Values, Love and Compassion
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, on his 74th birthday celebration on Monday said he is promoting secular values and different philosophy of humanities as preached by Mahatma Gandhi when traveling to different countries rather than propagating Buddhism.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama also echoed the secular thoughts of Gandhi, saying secularism doesn't mean rejection of religion but it means respect for religion and even respect for non-believers.
"When I visited different countries in these years, I have not promoted or propagated Buddhism as said by many, but harmony, humanity and spirituality," His Holiness said on the occasion, which also marks the 50 years of his Holiness in India.
"I am promoting secular values, message of love, compassion, dignity, spirit of common values and harmony as has been promoted by great thinkers," His Holiness said.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama also said that Buddhism is not only about reciting from scriptures and practicing it, but getting into the principals of the religion and the value it promotes.
"We have to make Buddhism relevant in our life ...and why it is not much relevant (is) due to lack of knowledge," His Holiness said.
Commenting on the socio-religious changes Tibet is undergoing, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said "the region is passing through difficult times and Buddhism is not being promoted in the way it used to be before."
"There is a steady depletion of the religion and our aim is to preserve and promote the religion. We need to work in the direction to strengthen Buddhism in Tibet and all over the Himalayan nations," His Holiness said.
Looking back at his 50 years in India, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said "my life has not been a "waste" and I got chances to learn from religious leaders, scientists, politicians, businessman, ordinary people whom I had met in all these years."
"From meeting these people, I have developed certain vision for life," His Holiness said.
Striking an emotional chord with the audience, most of whom comprised Tibetans from Himachal Pradesh and other parts of the country, the spiritual leader said he is sure he will celebrate his 100th birthday.
"Through all your wishes, I will live longer. I do not know whether I can live for thousands years, but I am sure I will stay alive till I am 100 years old," His Holiness said.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama also thanked India for whatever it has given to him in all these 50 years of exile.
The function was also attended by former President A P J Abdul Kalam, who spelt out his vision of 2030 -- when the country would be free of economic poverty and water crisis.
The function was organized by Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association, Delhi in collaboration with All Buddhist Organization of Himalayan Region.
Biographical notes from the website:
Three Main Commitments in Life
Firstly, on the level of a human being, His Holiness first commitment is the promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline. All human beings are the same. We all want happiness and do not want suffering. Even people who do not believe in religion recognize the importance of these human values in making their life happier. His Holiness refers to these human values as secular ethics. He remains committed to talk about the importance of these human values and share them with everyone he meets.
Secondly, on the level of a religious practitioner, His Holiness second commitment is the promotion of religious harmony and understanding among the world's major religious traditions. Despite philosophical differences, all major world religions have the same potential to create good human beings. It is therefore important for all religious traditions to respect one another and recognize the value of each other's respective traditions. As far as one truth, one religion is concerned, this is relevant on an individual level. However, for the community at large, several truths, several religions are necessary.
Thirdly, His Holiness is a Tibetan and carries the name of the Dalai Lama. Tibetans place their trust in him. Therefore, his third commitment is to the Tibetan issue. His Holiness has a responsibility to act as the free spokesperson of the Tibetans in their struggle for justice. As far as this third commitment is concerned, it will cease to exist once a mutually beneficial solution is reached between the Tibetans and Chinese.
However, His Holiness will carry on with the first two commitments till his last breath.
What is NowPublic?
NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.
Crowd Power
Maireid Sullivan
Melbourne, Australia
Related Stories
Recommendations (26)
Paschen
Narita, Chiba, Japan
mudricky
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
sara star
Halifax, NS, Canada
albertacowpoke
Canada
SamirJ
Vadodara, Gujarat, India
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (2)
at 03:57 on July 19th, 2009
May he live a long life.
at 14:12 on July 19th, 2009
Yes! Thank you for sharing your appreciation, sara star.