By – Shyamal Sinha

His Holiness the Dalai Lama along with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar released the first ever volume of ‘Science and Philosophy in the Indian Buddhist Classics’ on Sunday at Bodh Gaya, Bihar.

“Thanks to His Holiness’s vision, contemporary readers have, for the first time, an opportunity to engage from a scientific perspective with ideas and insights of Indian Buddhist thinkers like Nagarjuna, Chandrakirti, Asanga, Bhasubandhu, Dignag and Dharmakiriti,” the General editor of the series, Dr Thubten Jinpa said.

In his introduction of the book, Dr Jinpa said, “The creation of this series represents a truly historic achievement . Firstly the careful extraction and organisation of the views and insight of the great Indian buddhist thinkers within a framework of scientific enquiry is in itself a revolutionary achievement in the history of Buddhist thought. This series was conceived by His Holiness, and compiled under his supervision by a team of scholars over many years. It brings together classical Buddhist scientific and philosophical explorations into the nature of reality within a framework that is accessible to the modern reader. Of the 4 volumes with in the series, fist volume which is being released here today is on science of the physical world.”

Speaking on the occasion, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, “When we first arrived in exile in India we had a wide range of problems to deal with. However, in due course it became clear that the psychology, philosophy and logic that we studied in Tibet from childhood had a wider relevance in the world today. It seemed to me that the science of mind, philosophy and logic in our literature could be studied in an academic way beyond the context of religion.”

“If we think of our literature in terms of science, philosophy and religion, the religious part is only of interest to Buddhists, but the science and philosophy can be of interest to anyone. I believe we can profitably incorporate ideas and values from these writings into the modern education system. In a world in turmoil because of people’s unruly minds, what we are doing is not propagating Buddhism but exploring how we Buddhists can contribute to the well-being of humanity,” he said, emphasising the vision behind the project.

By coming to better understanding of the workings of the mind, we can learn to tackle our disturbing emotions and mental afflictions, something we can’t do with either weapons or money, he reminded.

His Holiness thanked Bihar Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar for joining the auspicious event and presented him with a portrait of the Buddha as a special token. “My friend the Chief Minister is a sincere man and the release of this book here is a special occasion for us all. He has already revealed his spiritual interests with the establishment of the Buddha Memorial Park in Patna. Perhaps he has a karmic connection reaching back to the time of the Buddha.”

The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude towards His Holiness for blessing the state and his people with his visit.”I feel deeply happy and gratified whenever the Dalai Lama visits Bodh Gaya. His discourses have inspired and transformed a countless number of people. I am hopeful that this new book, which has been compiled under his supervision, will serve as an inspiration for promoting peace in the world.”

“It is most fitting that this series is being launched in Bodh gaya which lies in state of Bihar where the great Indian monastery of Nalanda and Vikrama Shila once flourished.”

Committee members for the compendium project are Tromthok Rinpoche, Abbot of Namgyal Monastery, Geshe Yangteng Rinpoche, of Sera Me Monastic College; Geshe Jangchup Sangyey, Abbot of Ganden Shartse Monastery; Geshe Chisa Drungchen Rinpoche, of Ganden Jangtse College; Geshe Lobsang Khechok of Drepung Gomang College, who were all present on the stage, and Geshe Ngawang Sangye of Drepung Loseling College, who was unable to attend.

By Shyamal Sinha

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Bodh Gaya, he opted to travel to the Buddhist holy site from Varanasi by road instead of air as a result of poor visibility. One of His Holiness’s first acts yesterday morning was to visit the ancient Mahabodhi Temple complex that marks the location where the historical Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment some 2,500 years ago.

“The Dalai Lama offered prayers for world peace under the Bodhi Vriksha [the Bodhi Tree] and also visited the sanctum sanctorum of the 1,500-year-old Mahabodhi Temple,” said a Bodh Gaya administration official. (Business Standard)

At the temple’s main entrance, Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, the 42nd Sakya Trizin, and Avikrita Vajra Rinpoche, received His Holiness, who gave a blessing for the ongoing 26th Sakya Monlam being held in Bodh Gaya. His Holiness then approached the western side of the temple where the Bodhi Tree stands, lighting a lamp among the numerous offerings arranged as part of the Sakya Monlam. He then circumambulated the temple’s inner circuit, smiling and waving to the well-wishers outside. The Dalai Lama made three prostrations at the door to the temple before entering and inspecting the statue of the Buddha inside. Accompanied by several monks, His Holiness recited prayers, texts, and verses of dedication.

The administration official noted that the octogenarian monk, who marked his 82nd birthday in July, spent almost an hour near the Bodhi Tree and a further half an hour meditating in the Mahabodhi Temple’s inner sanctum.

Thousands of devotees thronged the streets bearing flowers and khata, the traditional Tibetan ceremonial scarf, to greet the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, including local Indian officials, members of the Tibetans diaspora and other Himalayan communities, as well as foreign visitors from around the world. Bodh Gaya is expecting a major influx of visitors as a result of the Dalai Lama’s stay.

The Tibetan spiritual leader, who was previously scheduled to arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Site on 26 December, is expected to remain in Bodh Gaya for about a month—his longest stay at the holy site since his asylum in India in the 1950s. A source from the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan government-in-exile, is reported to have said that His Holiness is scheduled to leave on 1 February, although his travel plans could change: “Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is likely to meet him in the last week of January during his Vikas Sameeksha Yatra and request the spiritual leader to grace the Bodh Mahotsav. The Dalai Lama has been a great admirer of Kumar for his initiative to enforce total ban on liquor and his campaign against dowry.” (Hindustan Times)

Tens of thousands of followers are expected to attend scheduled teachings at the nearby at the Kalchakra Maidan. From 5–7 January, the Dalai Lama will give a three-day teaching on theDharmachakrapravartana Sutra and the Pratityasamutpada Sutra. From 14–16 January, His Holiness will give teachings on Nagarjuna’s Commentary on Bodhicitta and Gyalsey Thokme Sangpos’s Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva. He will also confer the Avalokiteshvara Initiation on 15–16 January. The initiation ceremony on 16 January will be followed by a long life offering ceremony to His Holiness.

A temporary police station has been setup near the Kalachakra puja ground to provide round-the-clock surveillance throughout His Holiness’ visit. Security arrangements reportedly also include the deployment of some 2,500 police personnel to Bodh Gaya, and increasing the height of the boundry wall around Mahabodhi Temple.

By Shyamal Sinha

His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Mahabodhi Temple, the seat of Lord Buddha’s enlightenment to offer prayers on his second day in Bodh Gaya.

With flowers and traditional Tibetan scarves, more than thousands of Tibetans, himalayans and foreign devotees lined up the street leading to the holy site to greet the Tibetan spiritual leader.

At the main entrance of the temple, His Holiness was greeted by Sakya Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche and Avikrita Vajra Rinpoche. His Holiness gave his blessings for the 26th Sakya Monlam being held in Gaya and proceeded towards the inner sanctum of the temple and the Bodhi tree.

His Holiness’ upcoming engagements in Bodh Gaya

From 5 to 7 January, His Holiness will give a three-day teaching on Dharmachakra Parivaretan Sutra on The Four Noble Truths (chokyi khorlo korwe do) & Sutra on Dependent Origination (tendrel chi do) in the mornings at the request of Indians.

From 14 – 16 January, His Holiness will give teachings on Nagarjuna’s Commentary on Bodhicitta (jangchup semdrel) & Gyalsey Thokme Sangpos’s Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva (laklen sodunma). His Holiness will also confer the Avalokiteshvera Initiation (chenresig wangchen) on the mornings of January 15 and 16.

Following the initiation on January 16 morning, a long life offering ceremony (tenshug) to His Holiness will be made at the joint request of Lamyn Gegeen Tenzinjamphelchoijisheinen Tulku of Mongolia and Namgyal Monastery.

By Shyamal Sinha

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual leader of Tibet. He was born on 6 July 1935, to a farming family, in a small hamlet located in Taktser, Amdo, northeastern Tibet. At the age of two the child, who was named Lhamo Dhondup at that time was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso.

The Dalai Lama was conferred with the Syedna Qutbuddin Harmony Prize at the inaugural session of an inter-religious conference held at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi . The prize was awarded in recognition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s outstanding efforts in building bridges and promoting peace.

The Syedna Qutbuddin Harmony Prize, in memory of the 53rd Da’i al-Mutlaq, Leader of the Dawoodi Bohra people, is awarded annually to honour an individual or organisation whose work has had an exceptional impact in promoting harmony and peace in India as well as globally.

The conference organised by the Qutbi Jubilee Scholarship Program and the Centre of Arabic and African Studies of JNU was attended by spiritual leaders from various traditions including Syedna Taher Fakhruddin (member of QJSP), poet and Jain leader Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni, philosopher and Hindu leader Shri Gaurgopal Das, Head of the Jewish community of Delhi Rabbi Ezekiel Isaac Malekar, Sikh leader Sardar Manjit Singh, Archbishop of the Roman Catholic of Delhi and former CJI Justice Ahmadi.

In his address at the conference, His Holiness spoke about the power of spirituality in tackling destructive emotions such as anger and transforming negativity into positive emotions like love, contentment, tolerance and forgiveness.

“We human beings are wonderful in some ways, but act as trouble makers in others. Our various religious traditions provide us with ways to tackle the destructive emotion that underpin our misuse of our intelligence. One way to reduce destructive emotions is to actively develop positive emotions like love, contentment, tolerance and forgiveness,” his Holiness said.

His Holiness also spoke about the oneness of humanity and the essence of all religious traditions as being the same. His Holiness explained that it is the practice of these traditions that can bring about peace and harmony.

“All religious traditions speak about love and compassion. The question is whether we take our faith seriously or not. If I dress as a Buddhist monk, but there is no change in my mind, I have not much to show for my practice.”

“All religious traditions have the potential to produce warm-hearted people, but unless we are sincere, it’s all too easy for religion to be further grounds for thinking in terms of ‘us’ and ‘them’,” His Holiness noted.

Speaking about inner peace, His Holiness said that inner peace could only be brought about with emotional hygiene. “The cultivation of inner beauty—of being able to smile and show trust and concern for others is crucial. As social animals we need friends, but we don’t make friends through fear and anger. It’s by showing genuine concern for others’ well-being that we earn their trust and trust is the basis for friendship.

His Holiness further lauded India’s rich ancient knowledge based on the study of mind and emotions, and how it have contributed to the peaceful coexistence of diverse religious traditions in the country.

“This profound emphasis on the study of mind and its functions is extremely relevant in today’s world. Learning to achieve peace of mind is the basis for establishing peace in the world. And India is the one country that has the potential to combine its ancient knowledge with modern education for the wider benefit of the world at large,” His Holiness remarked.

By  Shyamal Sinha

His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa is the spiritual head of the 800-year-old Drukpa Order based in the Himalayas, with around 1,000 monastic centers and millions of followers worldwide. His mission is to promote universal harmony and inner peace by integrating the spiritual tenets of love and appreciation into daily life. His work includes promoting gender equality, establishing educational institutes, medical clinics and medication centers as well as rebuilding several heritage sites in the Himalayas.
His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa, some 200 nuns mounted their bicycles on Sunday and pedaled forth on the start of a month-long yatra, or pilgrimage through Nepal and India. The nuns plan to cover a roughly 3,000-kilometer route from their nunnery in Kathmandu to New Delhi and then on to Darjeeling, aiming to raise awareness about human trafficking and gender equality.

“We are starting our fifth cycle yatra today and our main mission is about increasing awareness about female empowerment, the environment, and human trafficking,” said nun Yeshe Lhamo on Sunday. (NDTV)

Thousands of women and children across South Asia are sold into modern-day slavery annually, lured into servitude from their homes and villages with promises of work and a better life. In Nepal alone, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) estimates that 23,200 cases of trafficking or attempted trafficking took place in 2016—a marked increase since the massive earthquakes that devastated the country in 2015 left tens of thousands homeless.

In the aftermath of the deadly quakes, the nuns traveled to remote communities to provide aid and recovery assistance. While carrying out relief work, the nuns also learned about a surge in Nepalese girls and women being trafficked across the border to India.

“It was terrible. People were selling their sisters, daughters, and even mothers just to have money to rebuild their homes,” said 19-year-old nun Jigme Wangchuk Lhamo at a conference last month. “Some men just see girls as a bunch of money . . . but we need to change this and help promote equality. His Holiness [the Gyalwang Drupka] likes to encourage girls. He says there can be no world peace unless we are all equal.” (Thomson Reuters Foundation)

During the course of their pilgrimage, the nuns, the majority of whom live and train at Druk Amitabha Mountain Nunnery in Kathmandu, will also perform kung fu demonstrations and meet with local community leaders along the way to talk about gender equality initiatives.

“That’s how we had this idea of going on this cycle yatra to all the remote places and telling people we are all girls; girls are capable of doing everything. They are not useless, they are not things to sell,” said 23-year-old nun Jigme Konchok Lhamo. (The Himalayan Times)

The “kung fu nuns,” earned their colloquial moniker after the Gyalwang Drupka initiated the study of martial arts at their nunnery in 2008 as a means of self-defense, but also to instill such skills as concentration, discipline, and self-confidence. As part of their monastic life, the nuns also engage in more mundane daily chores, cleaning, cooking, and carrying out administrative tasks along with their monastic studies.

His Holiness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa, Jigme Pema Wangchen, born in 1963, is the spiritual head of the Drukpa lineage of Vajrayana Buddhism. A renowned humanitarian, educator, environmentalist, and an active proponent of gender equality, the Gyalwang Drukpa has initiated a host of social engagement programs and initiatives, including the Live to Love international humanitarian organization, aiming to address contemporary social and environmental issues through the compassionate application of Buddhist teachings and philosophy.

Founded in Tibet in 1206 by Drogon Tsangpa Gyare Yeshi Dorje (1161–1211), the first Gyalwang Drukpa, the Drukpa lineage is a branch of the Kagyu school of Himalayan Buddhism. Along with the Sakya and Gelug schools, the Kagyu tradition is classified as one of the Sarma or “New Transmission” schools. The Drukpa lineage is also the dominant school of Buddhism and the state religion in the Kingdom of Bhutan.