His Holiness and his Contribution to Humanity: A Panel Discussion
New Delhi, July 04, 2015 – A panel discussion was held on ‘His Holiness and his Contribution to Humanity’ at Multipurpose Hall, India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi on 4 July 2015 organised by Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Community in Delhi in collaboration with India International Centre.
Chairing the session, Mr. Shyam Saran, Former Foreign Secretary of India initiated his introductory speech by saying, “Let me began by offering all our collective greeting to His Holiness on achieving this important milestone and also for expressing our gratitude that we have been singularly fortunate and privileged to have a person of his eminence, a person who command international respect and reverence as a humanist, as a religious leader, that he has chosen our country as his home, it is truly something we should take as a blessing for all of us”.
He further expressed that “His Holiness the Dalai Lama is in a real sense the living symbol of universal brotherhood, at a time when our world is driven with conflict and dissention and even despair. His Holiness in a very real sense is a messenger of hope, reminding us of what binds us together as humanity. Helped us perhaps overcome some of these divisions which we see among ourselves”.
Ven. Geshe Dorji Damdul, Director, Tibet House, New Delhi spoke on the Nalanda Tradition and Science of Mind. Geshe la spoke on His Holiness contribution in reviving the Nalanda tradition and its philosophy of knowledge of interdependence and relativity.
Mr Lalit Mansingh, Former Foreign Secretary of India iterated that “Dalai Lama in fact been the face of Tibet and he has been the international face of the tragedy of Tibet. And yet as a Buddhist, he has restrained his supporters, for using violence against the occupiers or expressing hatred that is the greatness of the man”.
Mr Shivshankar Menon, Former NSA and Foreign Secretary, pointed out that, “True leadership is truly a rare thing and it shines even more brightly when it has no position, no power and no wealth. We in India are really fortune because we have a living reminder among us of what true leadership is and what it can be and what it should be. For me, true example of leadership is His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama”.
He elaborated further that, “Here is someone without an army, without a government or wealth, in exile from his own land, and yet he is much more than just most powerful refugee in the world. He is spiritual leader who is not confined to one religion or faith or matters of religion. He has global influence and his words and actions inspire people across the world”.
Mr Menon finally stated that, “best way of celebrating his 80th birthday and honouring the example of true leadership that he has set to us, would be really for us to rededicate ourselves to his purposes”.
Mr Arun Shourie, Former Union Minister of India said, “He is an example of converting suffering into a benediction….He keep on saying out of politeness and to encourage us that I am bringing back to India the tradition that was from here, but actually matter of fact is we have forgotten that tradition completely”.
Mr Shourie further dwelled that “His Holiness has kept his whole community’s spirit alive and if I may say so look at the Tibetan cause”.
The panel discussion was attended by large contingent of imminent scholars, writers, senior and former India civil servants, retired military officers, staff from foreign missions in New Delhi and other interested public.