Leh, Ladakh – His Holiness the Dalai Lama was invited to Lamdon Model Senior Secondary School to launch the Golden Jubilee celebrations and the Great Summer Debate. His Holiness addressed the students and teachers: "I respect all the religions of the world, because they all commend the practice of love and compassion. There is no place for discrimination between people of one religion or another. We should all live together in harmony."
As His Holiness the Dalai Lama made his way to the Lamdon Model Senior Secondary School on August 7, 2023, Tibetans, Ladakhis and foreign and Indian tourists lined the roadside, white and yellow scarves and flowers in hand, to welcome His Holiness with smiles of joy on their faces.
Before taking his place on the throne, His Holiness the Dalai Lama unveiled a plaque marking the inauguration of the 14th Dalai Lama's Open Stadium and launched several books as well as the Golden Jubilee programme. Greeting some old friends along the way, His Holiness went to the front of the stage to greet the crowd of 15,000.
President of the Lamdon Social Welfare Society, Phuntsok Angchuk, welcomed guests and supporters, students, teachers and staff and members of the public. He announced that this is the school's Golden Jubilee year and that as part of the Great Summer Debate it is hosting a conference on the theme, ‘Connecting People through Science, Compassion and Universal Ethics’.
Then His Holiness addressed the gathering and said," My Dharma brothers and sisters, young and old. Appreciative of and faithful to the Buddha Dharma, you are all working together to preserve it. When I come here, I can see your whole-hearted devotion, for which I want to thank you."
"In today’s world there are many places where the Buddha’s teaching had not previously spread, where there are now many people taking a growing interest in it. In countries where interest in the Buddha’s teaching had once spread but later declined, there are people who have found that material development by itself does not bring peace of mind,'' he continued.
"In my own life I have faced all sorts of ups and downs, but I have never felt demoralized or angry. Now I am almost 90 years old, and I feel sure that the Buddha’s teaching has helped me not to lose heart," the spiritual leader of Tibet said.
"I never feel discouraged, nor do I slacken in my resolve. I retain my peace of mind and remain committed to work for other beings," His Holiness the Dalai Lama told the audience.
“People in this land of Ladakh appreciate the teaching of the Buddha whole-heartedly, as do others throughout the Himalayan Region. The greater the obstacles they face, the greater is their courage.
"Chinese communists have disdain for religion and try to destroy people’s faith in Buddhism by manipulating them. People in Tibet have never let these circumstances bring them down. They too are steadfast in their resolve to follow and support the Buddha’s teaching. What’s more, from Ladakh to Tawang people are single-pointed in their faith in the Buddha and his teaching," he said.
"I have met students from universities in Tibet who have told me that Chinese communists have utterly failed to disrupt Tibetans’ dedicated minds. Indeed, there are also growing numbers of Chinese who are showing interest in the Buddha’s teaching, especially as it has been maintained in Tibet," His Holiness said.
"The Nalanda Tradition was established in Tibet due to the kindness of Shantarakshita," His Holiness clarified."He advised Tibetans that since they had their own written language, it would be beneficial if they were to translate Buddhist literature into Tibetan. The consequence is the Kangyur and Tengyur collections we revere today."
"Because of this, Tibetans have been able to study Madhyamika thought in the light of reason and logic, a beneficial approach that yields a broad perspective. This is a good tradition that has granted certitude about the teaching of the Buddha. Therefore, I urge you, my Dharma brothers and sisters not only to recite the refuge verse, but to study Madhyamika thought, logic and the theory of knowledge as well," His Holiness added.
The spiritual leader said, "You may or may not believe in past and future lives, but if you engage in practice now, you’ll be able to see the impact of these teachings on your mind in this very life. Today, we talk about secular ethics because these values can be taught and practised without having to adopt any religious stance. And if you invoke this tradition, love and compassion will come about naturally."
His Holiness said, "I respect all the religions of the world, because they all commend the practice of love and compassion. However, Buddhism also has a vast and profound accumulation of philosophy. My Muslim friends might like to examine our explanations of compassion, while maintaining their faith in Allah. Since developing love and compassion is our common goal, there is no place for discriminating between people of one religion or another. We should all live together in harmony."
"On this 50th anniversary of the school, I would like to greet the students, teachers and staff and thank you all. We are not talking about preserving the Buddha’s teaching for the next couple of years, but for hundreds of years to come. Thank you and Tashi Delek," His Holiness concluded.
Afterwards, the students performed a number of songs and dances, some traditional and local, others more modern, in praise of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. At the end of the ceremony, the headmaster of the school, Stanzin Dawa, offered words of thanks.
