{"id":13439,"date":"2019-07-08T09:07:17","date_gmt":"2019-07-08T07:07:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sangye.it\/dalailamanews\/?p=13439"},"modified":"2019-07-09T09:11:40","modified_gmt":"2019-07-09T07:11:40","slug":"his-holiness-the-dalai-lama-met-community-representatives-of-tong-len","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/dalailamanews\/?p=13439","title":{"rendered":"His Holiness the Dalai Lama met Community Representatives of Tong-Len"},"content":{"rendered":"
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to community reprensentatives, staff and students of Tong-Len during their meeting at his residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on July 7, 2019. Photo by Tenzin Choejor<\/p><\/div>\n

July 7, 2019, Thekchen Ch\u00f6ling, Dharamsala, India – There was a brightness in the air after overnight rain this morning as His Holiness the Dalai Lama met Community Representatives, Staff and Students of Tong-Len, a small charity working with displaced Indian communities in the area around Dharamsala. Tong-Len aims to help these homeless communities gain access to basic human rights and to break the cycle of deprivation through education. To this end, the charity has established its own school and provides hostel accommodation for those children in most need. His Holiness greeted the two dozen visitors as he entered the room. He told them that as far he could remember Tong-Len was the initiative of Ven Jamyang, a Tibetan monk, who was visiting Dharamsala to attend teachings and meditate. He noticed that children from the slums begged and picked over rubbish, but received no education\u2014he decided something should be done.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u201cWe human beings have a special brain,\u201d His Holiness explained, \u201cand we need to be educated if it is to develop properly. However, sometimes education is motivated by selfishness, anger and fear. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

That just creates trouble. It\u2019s clear that just educating the brain by itself does not necessarily bring peace of mind. Education needs to be combined with warm-heartedness, with a sincere, compassionate motivation. When intelligence and warm-heartedness are combined the individual will happier and more at peace with herself. Wherever she lives, her family will benefit and as a result the wider community will benefit too.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYesterday, I was given a large birthday cake and I\u2019d like to share it with you today.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see that (apart from one Australian supporter) you\u2019re all Indian. I often reflect that among the three great ancient civilizations of Egypt, China and the Indus Valley, it was the Indus Valley culture that developed a thoroughgoing understanding of the workings of the mind and emotions. The practice of non-violence and compassion, \u2018ahimsa\u2019 and \u2018karuna\u2019, came about as a consequence. Buddha Shakyamuni was a product of this movement and gave rise to significant philosophical developments.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNevertheless, I never say that Buddhism is the best spiritual or philosophical tradition, for just as we can\u2019t say that this or that medicine is the best in all cases\u2014it depends on what the patient needs\u2014so among our different spiritual and philosophical traditions, what suits one person\u2019s mental disposition may not suit another\u2019s. It depends on what they find helpful. However, what is true is that the great Buddhist masters like Nagarjuna, Arya Asanga, Dignaga, Dharmakirti, Buddhapalita and Chandrakirti were all Indian\u2014so perhaps there is something special about the Indian brain.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy friend, the nuclear physicist, Raja Ramana, pointed out that quantum physics is relatively new in the West, but that many of its ideas were anticipated in India 2000 years ago. Key to this are the Two Truths, conventional and ultimate truth and the idea that appearances don\u2019t accord with reality. You young Indians have much to be proud of.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

His Holiness explained that while modern India tends to follow a Westernised, materialistic path, ancient India had a deep understanding of the workings of the mind and emotions, and a clear view of reality derived from logic and reasoning. Following the Buddha\u2019s admonition not to accept what he said at face value, but to investigate it as thoroughly as a goldsmith tests gold, Nagarjuna, Dignaga and Dharmakirti scrutinized his teachings. Their approach was scientific.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

His Holiness alluded to discussions he\u2019s held with modern scientists over the last 40 years or so. He mentioned that he has also heard that professors in Chinese universities have been impressed by the contents of books prepared in Dharamsala dealing with science and philosophy in the Buddhist classics. He remarked that education bequeathed to India by the British looked to God, if anywhere, for moral guidance, but lacked any idea of how to achieve peace of mind.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Ancient India was well-versed in the practices for developing a calmly abiding mind and insight into reality, \u2018shamatha\u2019 and \u2018vipashyana\u2019, but these traditions are, by and large, neglected in modern India. This is why His Holiness is committed to reviving them if he can and encouraging Indians to combine ancient and modern skills on the basis of a secular approach. They can be relevant to everyone\u2014peace of mind is a matter for the whole of humanity.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIndia has great potential to bring about a more peaceful world. Mahatma Gandhi was not a great philosopher, but he showed how practical non-violence, \u2018ahimsa\u2019, could be. I\u2019m convinced that a combination of \u2018ahimsa\u2019 and the insights of quantum physics can contribute to a more peaceful world. This is a great opportunity, please think about it.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs you probably know, \u2018tong-len\u2019 refers literally to giving and taking\u2014to imagining exchanging whatever positive qualities you may have for the pain and suffering of others. I find it very helpful.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn 2008, news reached us here of demonstrations taking place in Lhasa. I was apprehensive that the violent retribution unleashed in 1959 would be repeated, but felt helpless. There was nothing I could do. I practised \u2018tong-len\u2019. I imagined taking the Chinese officials\u2019 anger and urge for retaliation away from them and giving them patience and compassion in return. The exercise had no practical effect on the ground, but it strengthened my peace of mind.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSimilarly, on another occasion, I fell ill in Bodhgaya and drove to Patna for treatment. On the outskirts of the city I saw a sick, old man, lying friendless and unattended on a simple bed. Again, I was unable to help directly, but later, in pain in my room, I visualized taking on his distress and loneliness and giving him solace, which helped me a lot.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Tong-Len students greeted His Holiness with \u201cNamaste, Tashi Delek and Happy Birthday\u201d. They chanted an Indian prayer for him in Hindi, followed by a Tibetan prayer translated into English, the final line of which was, \u201cMay you stay until the end of existence, May you stay until the end of existence\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSince I was born in Tibet, I\u2019m physically Tibetan,\u201d His Holiness responded, \u201cbut every particle of my brain is filled with Indian thought, so mentally I\u2019m really Indian. I try to promote non-violence and compassion, which I\u2019m convinced is relevant in today\u2019s world. Maintaining peace of mind means that you\u2019ll be calm and undisturbed. It\u2019s on this basis that I\u2019m committed to reviving the knowledge of ancient India\u2014and you can help me do this.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m now 84 and I might live until I\u2019m 94 or even to 100. But I\u2019m old, while you are young. Introduce these ideas I\u2019ve been talking about to the next generation and the generations after that, so that you who belong to the 21st century pass something on to the 22nd and 23rd centuries. It\u2019s more than 2000 years since the Buddha lived in India but his teachings still survive. We Tibetans have kept the Nalanda tradition alive. It\u2019s through study and practice that the Buddha\u2019s thoughts are preserved.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf the world were more compassionate, it could also become demilitarized. It depends on individuals developing inner disarmament, which gives rise to compassion, warm-heartedness and external disarmament. This is true \u2018ahimsa\u2019. Thank you\u201d.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A representative senior student then read out a citation to His Holiness before presenting him with a framed copy.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour Holiness, we are senior student and staff of Tong-len and representatives from the slum communities. We are here to express our gratitude for your philosophy and support and, on the occasion of your birthday, to wish you a long life.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were born in the slums. We had no basic resources, no rights, no respect. We had little or no food. Some of us were close to death. Some of our friends passed away due to simple disease, lack of medical care and exposure to the elements. Our friends and families are still living with these difficulties.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour philosophy of kindness and compassion inspired a monk to create Tong-len. Supported by you and the Dalai Lama Trust, Tong-len rescued us. We have been given health care, food, shelter, and an education. Because of your support 333 children are transforming their lives.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe used to beg and pick through rubbish but through the support of you and Tong-len we have reached amazing feats such as completing tertiary degrees. We are grateful to you for your kindness, compassion, inspiration and vision. We are grateful to Tong-len for seeing our needs and giving us hope and a future. We are the example of change.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour Holiness, your vision of secular ethics has transformed our way of thinking and inspired us to be good human beings. Study through secular ethics has helped us to learn about our common humanity and how important respect for all is. The Tong-len family is a diverse group and all people within our community are equally respected no matter of religion, caste and gender. This concept has empowered us. We have self-acceptance, emotional maturity, tolerance and the courage to hold our heads up. The children of Tong-len have a positive future and would like to say a heartfelt thank you.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour vision of a global community is a gift to our generation and we feel a responsibility to spread the concepts and philosophy to the whole community. Under the support of the Dalai Lama Trust we work in the community to develop an ethical society through education and awareness. Through our kindness-projects we hope to make Dharamsala a kind city. We are also working in the slums to help with hygiene, education and shelter. The children of Tong-len are committed to live through your vision to take on universal responsibilities and reduce social issues.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOn the occasion of your birthday, on behalf of the slum communities in Kangra Valley, Tong-len children and staff, we wish to present to you this memento to express our gratitude for your inspiration and your undying commitment to making the world a better and harmonious place. For the support Your Holiness has given us to break the cycle of poverty and giving us hope and a future. We wish Your Holiness a long life to reduce poverty in the world and to create health and happiness for all humanity and that your vision of world harmony and compassion becomes a reality.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.dalailama.com\/news\/2019\/meeting-with-community-representatives-staff-and-students-of-tong-len<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

July 7, 2019, Thekchen Ch\u00f6ling, Dharamsala, India – There was a brightness in the air after overnight rain this morning as His Holiness the Dalai Lama met Community Representatives, Staff and Students of Tong-Len, a small charity working with displaced Indian communities in the area around Dharamsala. Tong-Len aims to help these homeless communities gain […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/dalailamanews\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13439"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/dalailamanews\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/dalailamanews\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/dalailamanews\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/dalailamanews\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=13439"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/dalailamanews\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13439\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13442,"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/dalailamanews\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13439\/revisions\/13442"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/dalailamanews\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=13439"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/dalailamanews\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=13439"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sangye.it\/dalailamanews\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=13439"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}