With a clarion call to all to make 21st century as the century of `peace and non-violence’, Tibetan spiritual leader 14th Dalai Lama today stated that India would be able to tackle problems like Kashmir `through talks, through understanding.”
Yet he played down queries about “Chinese incursions in Ladakh” stating that these moves were “just routine” as China was not “willing to accept existing borderline.”
He was interacting with the media after inaugurating impressive art exhibition on Ambaran Buddhist site at Kala Kendra immediately after his arrival in the winter capital this morning and before proceeding to Akhnoor, which was the main slot of the itinerary of his day-long visit here.
Tactfully steering himself clear of any controversy, Buddhist leader, however, evaded queries pertaining to Tibet with his very familiar inimitably amiable smile with a single liner, “Political questions like this should be directed to political (Tibetan) leadership and not me.”
Dalai Lama had come here on the invitation of Member Parliament Madan Lal Sharma and brother Minister for Health Sham Lal Sharma, who is also MLA Akhnoor, to visit Buddhist excavation site at Ambaran.
RESUMPTION OF PEACE IN KASHMIR: Choosing to tread safe recourse on all tricky questions like this, the spiritual leader said, “India is faced with some negative things. But with the rule of law, open society, complete freedom of speech (which is available here), through talks, through understanding I think the things will improve.”
CHINESE INCURSIONS IN LADAKH: Faced with a question on this account, he said, “Chinese government never wants to accept the existing borderline (with India). The problem is grave in case of Arunachal Pradesh. (Even in Ladakh) therefore that (incursions) was just routine.”
INDIA’S MESSAGE OF NON-VIOLENCE VERY RELEVANT: In response to questions pertaining to his mission in the role of apostle of peace and non-violence, he emphasized that the message spread by India was still relevant.
“I tell all wherever I go that 20th century became the century of violence including nuclear war. According to some historians, over two hundred million people got killed in violence, war. Yet if such equipments of violence would have really brought better world then there could be some justification for this mindless violence. But that’s not the case. It’s now 21st century and so therefore we all, whether believer or non-believer, should make every effort to make this world, which is our globe, a non-violent world, a peaceful world. So here, India’s message for thousand years `Ahimsa’ (non-violence) is something very relevant today. India’s message for promotion of unity and harmony in true democratic traditions too is very relevant,” he added.
IS CHINA TAKING ADVANTAGE OF STRINED INDO-PAK TIES AND POSING TROUBLE FOR INDIA?: Tibetan spiritual leader came out with a tricky response to this question by drawing parallels between India and China. “India is the biggest democratic country and economically also gradually it is improving. While China is not a democratic country and the people there have lot of resentment. Every year there are about hundred thousands of cases of strikes by the farmers, workers etc. So obviously democratic, open society with the rule of law is much safer,” he said.
CHANGE IN INDIA’S STAND TOWARDS TIBET: He evaded all queries pertaining to Tibet issue stating that in March this year he handed over all his political responsibility to elected political leadership. “Not only I retired but also almost four centuries old tradition, that Dalai Lama institution is the old head of both – the spirituality and the political set up, has now ended. I voluntarily, happily and proudly ended that tradition. So now this political question should better be asked to political leadership,” he said.
Describing Kashmir as a very important place both historically as well as spiritually, the Buddhist leader said he was very happy that he had come to this part of J&K.
Earlier in the morning he reached Jammu. The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, some of his cabinet colleagues, senior police and civil officers, besides representatives from Jammu Chamber of Commerce received him at Jammu Airport.
Minister for Industries and Commerce, S S Slathia, Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Health, Horticulture and Floriculture Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Higher Education Abdul Gani Malik, Minister of State for R&B, Javed Ahmed Dar, Advisors to Chief Minister Mubrak Gul and Davinder Rana, Member Parliament Madan Lal Sharma were also present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister and Dalai Lama later inaugurated art exhibition at Kala Kendra.
Confirming the facts that Akhnoor had remained hub of Buddhist religious activities, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has called for more excavation work on the heritage site to ascertain more facts.
He was delighted to see the rich Buddhist remains of ancient times at the excavation site at Ambaran, where he paid his visit today.
Addressing a mammoth gathering on the occasion, the Dalai Lama expressed his gratitude to Archeological Survey of India for identifying the site, which he described as a rich cultural heritage for Buddhists. He hoped that more study on the site will be carried out by experts and historians in near future to showcase the site for pilgrims.
The Tibetan spiritual leader, who arrived at Jammu airport here today, was received by Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of J&K and his Cabinet colleagues. Later he traveled with the Chief Minister who was himself driving the car, to Jammu Kala Kendra to see the exhibition of photographs of excavated architectural remains artifacts unearthed by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), from Buddhist monastic complex of Ambaran.
He showed keen interest in the photographs and appreciated the work of photographers Vijay and Akshat Kranti. At Jammu Kala Kendra, he was given rousing reception by the students of three regions of the State in traditional dresses amid drum beats and Dogra nagaras.
Dr B R Mani, Joint DG, ASI, and the one who had excavated the site in 1999-2000, explained to His Holiness the significance of the site, which has revealed foundations of Kushana period stupas and remnants of walls of other buildings speak of the continuous existence of the monastic complex between circa 1st-century BCE to 6th century CE and is considered as third of its kind in India with one found at Nagarjunakonda in Andhra Pradesh and the second at Sanghol in Punjab which is a mixture of Ghandhara and schools of art. The site seems to have been washed away around 7th century CE due to flash floods and decline of Buddhism in the region.
The town of Akhnoor, that has a special significance for Dogras as well as for entire north India being the place of the coronation of Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1822, wore a festive look to welcome His Holiness who also addressed a public rally there.
Enthusiastic school children along with their teachers, women and general public drawn from all walks of life had lined up on both sides of road right from the outskirts of the Akhnoor town upto the venue of the rally.
Waving of buntings and showering flowers on the passing vehicle in which Dalai Lama was traveling and others following the cavalcade, the citizens of Akhnoor and near by rural areas gave a rousing welcome to Dalai Lama whose visit to Akhnoor has drawn world wide attention to its socio-religious and artistic legacy that boasts of being the northernmost out-post of Indus Valley Culture as well as a vibrant center of Buddhism for centuries.
His Holiness addressed the gathering in chaste Tibetan, which was simultaneously translated in Hindi for the benefit of audience, which also included Buddhist monks from Vietnam, Myanmar, Korea and large number of Ladakhis, especially students.
He gave special message to the students to concentrate on their studies with dedication and commitment to achieve their goals. He said that education has to be undertaken with conviction, a sankalp, so as not to help one’s own self but the others also.
Modern education driven by progression of technology is good for worldly success but inculcation of traditional Indian values is equally essential for spiritual well being and happiness of individuals, said Dalai Lama.
Referring to the age-old grand tradition of amity and brotherhood, Dalali Lama said, one of the characteristic features of Indian socio-cultural landscape is that all religious and spiritual personalities are given great respect by the common masses irrespective of their personal religious affiliations, he said.
Dalai Lama said that in India, the Aryabhumi Bhrata, different religions have co-existed since ancient times and children here are taught to respect diverse religious systems. "This is in contrast to the sectarian tensions between Catholics and Protestants in European countries. In India people from different faiths live like a big family and are a wonderful example of communal harmony for rest of the world.
"Allover the world the biggest problem of corruption is like a cancer. It is due to the lust for materialism. People who on one hand believe in God also indulge in activities like corruption", he said.
Dalai Lama said for having peace of mind "we have to develop in ourselves the feeling of sadbhavana, snehashilta, karuna and maitri. Otherwise raag, dvesh and greed develop in one’s mind".
He said the Indian sanskars and values system that gives equal respect to all religions is best suited for the institution of democracy. "India is the biggest democracy in the world and the common man has all the right to the bounties of the world. "Indian Constitution based on secularism allows us to respect every body".
The democracy is the best tool to ensure the growth of every one, he said. But educating the masses is key to a vibrant democracy.
Alluding to the role of ancient Buddhist universities in spread of Buddhism, he said the message of Buddha had far-reaching impact upon most of the Southeast Asia and traveled from Kashmir, Ladakh to Tibet and also to China, Vietnam, Korea and Japan.
Talking about his abdicating the political mantle, he said that the 400 years old tradition of Dalai Lama being the political and religious head has been changed by him. Now a duly elected representative had donned the mantle of political leadership of Tibetans.
Earlier referring to Kashmir, Dalai Lama hoped the situation there would improve through talks. " Through talks and through understanding, I think things will improve", he told reporters after inaugurating the photo-inauguration at Jammu Kala Kendra.
Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nwang Rigzin Jora on the occasion said that with the visit of His Holiness to this historic town, the pilgrim tourism will get fresh momentum. He said that Government will explore the possibilities to bring Akhnoor on the world tourist map and develop tourist infrastructure to facilitate pilgrims.
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