Issues should be resolved through dialogue: Dalai Lama
JAMMU: Stiffly opposed to arms race, the Dalai Lama on Sunday, said 21st century should be a century of dialogue and the world must get peace in this century not through prayers but through action.
The Buddhist spiritual leader, while addressing the first convocation of the Central University of Jammu (CUJ) here, said the preceding century witnessed too much violence triggering unpredictable consequences.
“Therefore, this 21st century must get peace, not through prayers but through action. The 21st century should be a century of dialogue,” he said.
The 82-year-old spiritual leader said differences were always there in societies but using force causes violence and counter violence and then triggers a chain reaction.
In this context, he recalled the terror attack of 9/11, Iraq war and the role of the then US President George W Bush.
He said violence can never be a tool to resolve issues and it only begets violence and hatred in return.
“So, to create a peaceful world, we must develop will power. No matter how difficult and complicated the situation is, try to resolve it through dialogue. Respect views of all and their interest. That’s the only way,” he said.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate said he was totally opposed to arms race between super powers like US and Russia and even small countries like North Korea.
“If the situation goes on like this, there will be a disaster,” he said.
The basic human nature was compassion and education should nurture these basic human values of love and compassion, he said, adding that modern education is highly developed but it has not helped to reduce violence. It has failed to bring peace to the world because it’s related to material value.
“Now education institutions should take full responsibility of not only brain development but development of whole heartedness. I feel India is the only country, which can combine modern education that will bring us physical comfort with ancient knowledge including Yoga that brings us inner peace,” the Dalai Lama said.
India’s ancient knowledge is very relevant in today’s world in order to achieve peaceful 21st century, he said.
He also seized the opportunity to describe India a ‘guru’.
“India is historically our ‘guru’, our teacher. We (Tibetans) are not just a ‘chela’ (disciple) but quite a reliable chela of India,” he said.
The Dalai Lama also said that Indian secularism respects all religions including non-believers while also heaping praise on India’s secular constitution and he said it was the only example in the world where all religions live together.
EX-ARMY CHIEF NC VIJ, JITENDRA SINGH GIVEN HONORARY DEGREES
Union minister Jitendra Singh and former Indian army chief Genral NC Vij, both of whom hail from Jammu, were conferred honoris causa degrees at the first convocation of Central University of Jammu here on Sunday.
While Singh was awarded the degree of doctor of philosophy in public policy and public administration, Gen Vij was awarded the degree of doctor of philosophy in national security studies.
In his acceptance speech, Jitendra Singh said, “I am accepting this honour with all humility, as a token of love and recognition from the land of Jammu which I have served for a better part of my life with all the diligence and commitment at my command.”
As many as 885 post-graduate degrees were awarded to the students who had successfully qualified their courses during the academic batches 2011 to 2015.
As many as 43 gold medals, two special medals from J&K Bank —one each for a male and female student —, 14 PhD degrees and 20 M Phil degrees were awarded during the convocation.