Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama this morning urged journalists to be truthful and unbiased in their reporting.
Speaking in Jispa, Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, north India, he said, "Like elephant's nose, journalists should be active enough to see all the perspectives".
His Holiness made his comments after conducting the Avalokiteshvara empowerment ritual. He proceeded to discuss the lack of press freedom in China, saying, "1.3 billion Chinese people have the right to know the factual news taking place in this world."
His Holiness advised local Buddhist followers to strive to understand the meaning of Buddhism, saying, "Despite of man and woman from lay society, it is very important to debate about Buddhism and improve the understanding of it."
He also praised the teaching of Tibetan language in the newly established school near K?lacakra temple in Jispa, and promised to offer both Tengyur and Tanjur (The Tibetan Buddhist canon) to the local monastery.
On the subject of animal sacrifice, His Holiness urged fellow Buddhists to take refuge in Lord Buddha instead of mountain deities, saying, “If you are a Buddhist, it is absolutely wrong to do animal sacrificing to the mountain deities. Mountain deities, like us, haven’t overcome the afflictions, therefore shouldn’t be the object of refuge. Our true protector and object of refuge is Lord Buddha”.
He concluded the lecture by advising local people not indulge in drinking or smoking, for the sake of their health.Continuing his teaching tour, His Holiness will speak on Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo's 37 Practices of A Boddhisattva (Tibetan: Laklen Sodunma) in Manali on August 22.
Visit our news gallery for more about His Holiness' teachings in Himachal.
