Dharamshala: - The spiritual leader of Tibet His Holiness the Dalai Lama urged the Tibetan youths to improve their Tibetan language, as the profound and pristine teachings of Buddha is available only in Tibetan language.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Wednesday began the annual series of introductory teachings for Tibetan youths at the Upper Tibetan Children's Village school in Dharamshala. Over 4,000 Tibetan youths, including 840 registered college students gathered in the TCV school auditorium to listen to His Holiness' teachings for Tibetan youths, aimed to create more awareness about Tibetan Buddhist teachings and culture among the youth.
The two-day teachings include commentaries on 'The Heart Sutra' (Tibetan: Sherap Nyingpo), and praise of Manjushri Buddha(Tibetan: Gangloma) on the mornings of June 4 and 5. On June 6 morning, His Holiness will confer the Avalokiteshvera Initiation (Tibetan: Chanrigzig Gi Wang.
His Holiness said that young generations should not perceive Tibetan Buddhism as related to just faith alone but study the Buddhist philosophy as an academic branch of study. "Based on reality and your own experience you can study the nature of mind, ways to control it and you shall be a happier person once you understand the essence of the teachings of Buddha."
His Holiness said that the logical studies of the teachings are being preserved in the Tibetan monastic institutions through debate. "It is not only the monks and nuns, but that of lay people's responsibility to study the teachings of Buddha," he added
Addressing the youths before the formal initiation of the teaching, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that Buddha's teachings should be treated as a branch of philosophical education rather than just a religion. His Holiness said that the sustenance and advancement of Buddhism in the world will depend on the Tibetan people's determination to study the essence of Buddha's teaching.
His Holiness also emphasised the development of mental faculty and learning the wisdom of morality as very essential. He said that the source of moral values lies in learning the profound and pristine teachings of Buddha, available only in Tibetan language, therefore urging Tibetan youths to improve their Tibetan language proficiency to fully understand Buddha's teachings.
The first two days of teachings was held indoors while the initiation on the third day was held outdoors on the TCV grounds where over 6,000 devotees attended his teachings.
The teaching sessions were requested by the Buddhism Introductory Committee of Dharamsala (BICD), a voluntary committee aimed at associating Tibetan youths with Buddhism. These are the eighth such teachings since the Committee's formation of the practice in 2007.
According to BICD, the teachings were conceived to keep Tibetan youths in touch with Buddhism and Tibetan culture.
