By  —  Shyamal Sinha

His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressed a message to devotees and followers on the beginning of the auspicious month of Saka Dawa, the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar, inspiring them to lead “meaningful lives filled with warm heartedness and compassion.”

The seventh day of the final spring month of Vaiśākha, the fourth Mongol month, is the sacred day when Buddha was born. The fifteenth day of that month is the sacred day when Buddha became enlightened and passed away.

The message reads, “Although it is more than 2500 years since the Buddha lived and taught in India, the essence of his teaching remains as relevant today as it was then. While modern science has developed a sophisticated understanding of the physical world, Buddhist science has devoted itself to developing a detailed, first-person understanding of many aspects of the mind and emotions, areas still relatively new to modern science. I believe that a synthesis of these two approaches has great potential to lead to discoveries that will enrich our physical, emotional and social well-being.

As a Tibetan Buddhist monk, I consider myself an heir to the Nalanda Tradition. The way Buddhism was taught and studied at Nalanda University represents the zenith of its development in India. If we are to be 21st century Buddhists, it is important that we engage in the study and analysis of the Buddha’s teachings, as so many did there, instead of simply relying on faith.

Buddha Purnima or Vesak commemorates Buddha Shakyamuni’s birth, enlightenment and passing away, and is considered the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar. On this auspicious occasion, I offer fellow Buddhists everywhere my good wishes in leading meaningful lives filled with warm heartedness and compassion.

With my prayers and good wishes.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama meeting with participants of the Sho-tön Opera Festival at the Main Tibetan Temple courtyard in Dharamsala, HP, India on April 22, 2024. Photo by Ven Tenzin Jamphel

By  —  BT NEWSDESK

This morning His Holiness the Dalai Lama walked from his gate to take his seat in the veranda beneath the Tsuglagkhang, the Main Tibetan Temple. 353 performers, members of opera groups from several Tibetan settlements, who had taken part in the recent Sho-tön Opera Festival, were gathered in the temple courtyard to meet him.

A lead singer of each group came to the microphone to sing to His Holiness, while members of the group joined in from where they sat. First was a representative of the opera group from Bhandra Tibetan settlement who began by singing the first two lines of the single verse prayer for His Holiness’s long life:

In the land surrounded by a fence of snow mountains
You are the source of all good and happiness

A performer from Chauntra TCV School took up the song singing the last two lines of the same verse.

Tenzin Gyatso, Lord Chenrezig
May you live until the cycle of existence comes to an end.

A singer from the Mainpat group led a prayer of auspiciousness for Tibet, then another from Bylakuppe sang a prayer of good fortune that referred to juniper trees whose leaves are burned as incense. Next came a singer from Mundgod. A group from Odisha sang about ‘Making offerings to the Three Jewels’.

A participant of the Sho-tön Opera Festival performing for His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Main Tibetan Temple courtyard in Dharamsala, HP, India on April 22, 2024. Photo by Ven Tenzin Jamphel

The Upper TCV group sang, ‘May Your Holiness live a long life…’ Performers from Kollegal sang ‘You elucidate the combined path of emptiness and compassion …’ from a prayer His Holiness wrote as the request of Dilgo Khyentsé Rinpoché. Opera singers from Nepal sang for His Holiness. A troupe from Kalimpong sang:

May the omniscient one sit on the golden throne
And may peace prevail on earth.

Finally, artistes from TIPA sang verses from the opera known as Prince of Firm Faith. The performers then filed past His Holiness to receive his blessings.

Addressing the crowd, His Holiness recalled that the Sho-tön Opera Festival used to be one of his favourite holidays when he was living in Lhasa.

“I was always excited by the prospect,” he told them. “The festival took place over four days and I was delighted. Four different groups would perform. I remember that the members of the Gyang-kar-wa sang particularly sweetly. I cannot sing, but I used to nod my head in time to the music. So, it made me happy to listen to all of you sing here this morning.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing the crowd during his meeting with participants of the Sho-tön Opera Festival at the Main Tibetan Temple courtyard in Dharamsala, HP, India on April 22, 2024. Photo by Ven Tenzin Jamphel

“Since we came into exile as refugees, we have made efforts to preserve our cultural heritage. In Tibet there are so many restrictions it’s difficult for our fellow Tibetans there to do so. However, for more than a thousand years we have kept our traditions alive.

“I would like the Tibetans in Tibet to know that in the long run truth will prevail. In the meantime, those of us living in free countries are doing our best to preserve and promote our culture in its many aspects.

“I am glad to know that this Sho-tön has been held here in Dharamshala and I thank you for your spirited performances.

“I’m nearly 90 now but I feel quite confident, as the prayer says: ‘May you live for a hundred years…,’ that I may live to be 110. Tibetans inside Tibet and elsewhere place their trust in me so feel I must live to be 110 or so.

“Tibetans inside Tibet, as well as those of us in exile, including many of us in India, must remain undaunted by the troubles we face. We must remain determined and resilient. We have the support of the people of the Himalayan Region. I too am determined to serve as well as I can.”

Turning to the 175 women who had taken part in the Tibetan Women’s Association (TWA) meeting, His Holiness mentioned that sometimes women may seem to be undervalued.

President of Tibetan Women’s Association Tenzin Dolma along with delegates to the TWA General Body Meeting listening to His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Main Tibetan Temple courtyard in Dharamsala, HP, India on April 22, 2024. Photo by Ven Tenzin Jamphel

“However,” he declared, “women are a source of our survival. Tibetan women in exile have been strong. Indeed, when it comes to preserving our culture of love and compassion women in particular have played a strong and courageous role.

“The communist Chinese have tried to eliminate our culture and traditions, but have failed. We have kept our traditions, including our operatic traditions, alive. As I said, change will come to China, but our courage and determination will not waver. I have done my best so far and will continue to do so in the coming decades. That’s all. Thank you.

Members of the TWA group posed for a photograph with His Holiness followed by each of the various opera groups. Then, as His Holiness left for his residence in a golfcart, the performers joyfully celebrated their audience with him by singing and dancing in the temple courtyard.

Kyabje Kundeling Tatsak Rinpoche addressing the gathering during the opening ceremony of the 27th Tibetan Shoton Festival. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

 The 27th annual Tibetan Shoton Festival (yoghurt festival) in exile kicked off today at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) in Dharamshala to celebrate Tibetan opera from 10 – 22 April 2024.

By  —  BT NEWSDESK

Kyabje Kundeling Tatsak Rinpoche Jetsun Tenzin Chokyi Gyaltsen graced the opening ceremony of the festival as chief guest, along with officiating Sikyong Tharlam Dolma Changra, Kalon (Minister) of the Department of Education, and Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang from the Tibetan Parliament in Exile.

Election and Public Service Commissioner Wangdue Tsering Pesur, Standing Committee Members and Dharamshala-based Parliamentarians of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Secretaries and staff of the Central Tibetan Administration, Secretaries of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dharamshala Tibetan Settlement Officer, Members of Local Tibetan Assembly and Tibetan Freedom Movement, and representatives of the Tibetan NGOs and institutions also attended the festival’s inaugural.

Following a day-long display of each opera story’s preview from the participating troupes, chief guest Kundeling Tatsak Rinpoche delivered a keynote speech. “Despite Tibet’s continued difficulties and the geographical separation of Tibetans inside and outside of Tibet, we should be proud of our capacity to host the Shoton Festival of this magnitude in exile, drawing ever-larger crowds of participants,” said Rinpoche while commending the members of opera troupes for their devotion and dedication to preserving the rich opera tradition of Tibet. The chief guest went on to say that it was His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s leadership that empowered the Tibetan people to preserve and honour their rich cultural heritages and hence advised all the Tibetans to remember the benevolence of His Holiness time and again and adhere to His noble guidance. Rinpoche further emphasised the collective efforts of every Tibetan in maintaining Tibet’s unique traditions, including Tibetan opera.

After concluding the address, Kundeling Tatsak Rinpoche handed over a cheque of 1 Lakh rupees to each troupe group, a small contribution from the Department of Religion and Culture, CTA, for their sustenance.

Over the course of the 13-day Shoton Festival, Tibetan troupes from various settlements will present different Tibetan opera performances.

Access the Shoton Festival’s Program Schedule below:

Director of TIPA, Dhondup Tsering, delivering opening remarks on the first day of the 27th Tibetan Shoton Festival. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

Tibetan Parliamentarians and Secretaries of the Central Tibetan Administration observing a minute mourning for the sudden demise of Secretary Chime Tseyang. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

Officiating Sikyong Kalon Tharlam Dolma Changra and Election & Public Service Commissioner Wangdue Tsering Pesur seeking blessing from the Kyabje Kundeling Tatsak Rinpoche upon the latter’s arrival. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang during the opening day of the 27th Tibetan Shoton Festival. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

A group of artists performing Ache Lhamo. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

Members of a troupe displaying their performance during the inaugural of Shoton Festival. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

Kyabje Kundeling Tatsak Rinpoche delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 27th Tibetan Shoton Festival. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

Kyabje Kundeling Tatsak Rinpoche presenting sustenance fund from Department of Religion and Culture to a representative of troupe. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

A school girl savouring yoghurt during the inaugural ceremony of the Tibetan Yoghurt Festival. Photo / Tenzin Jigme Taydeh / CTA

Monks scattering flower petals lead the way as the relics of the Buddha are carried up the drive of the Main Tibetan Temple to offer to His Holiness the Dalai Lama waiting at the gate to his residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on April 4, 2024. Photo by Tenzin Choejor

By  — BT NEWSDESK

A long-standing ambition of a group of Sri Lankan Buddhists led by the Most Venerable Dr. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Maha Nayaka Thero, head of Amarapura Sambuddha Sasanodaya Maha Nikaya, and coordinated by Dr. Damenda Porage, Founder President of the Sri Lanka-Tibetan Buddhist Brotherhood in Sri Lanka, was fulfilled today. Accompanied by monks and lay supporters, the Most Venerable came to Dharamsala to present relics of the Buddha to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Following the Buddha’s passing away and the cremation of his mortal remains the relics that remained, fragments of bones and teeth, were divided among eight kingdoms and stupas were erected over them in Allakappa, Kapilavastu, Kushinagar, Pava, Rajagriha, Ramagrama, Vaishali, and Vethapida. During excavations at Piprahwa, which is identified with Kapilavastu, relics of the Buddha were discovered that had been enshrined by Shakyan relatives in Kapilavastu. In 1898, a British official, William Peppé made a gift of these relics to the erudite Sri Lankan monk, Most Venerable Waskaduwe Sri Subhuthi Mahanayake Thera, who brought them to Sri Lanka.

The Most Venerable and his party arrived this morning at Kangra airport and drove up from there to His Holiness’s residence. Groups of Tibetans, many holding silk scarves, flowers and incense in their hands, gathered by the side of the road from the lower reaches of Dharamsala town up to Mcleod Ganj to pay their respects. Large numbers of people gathered near the gate to Gangchen Kyishong and the Central Tibetan Administration and below the Tsuglagkhang, the Main Tibetan Temple. Both sides of the driveway to His Holiness’s residence were decorated with strings of Buddhist and Tibetan flags.

While artistes from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts sang and danced in celebration, His Holiness sat on chair outside the gate to his residence to greet the relics, the Most Venerable and his party as they arrived. Monks from Namgyal Monastery staged a formal welcome playing horns, strewing the path with flower petals and holding a yellow, silk parasol over the portable reliquary. His Holiness stood to welcome his guests and paid his first respects to the relics. He then drove with the Maha Nayaka Thero up to his meeting room where they and the delegation sat together.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Most Venerable Dr. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Maha Nayaka Thero riding a golf cart to the meeting room at his residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on April 4, 2024. Photo by Tenzin Choejor

The Venerable Samdhong Rinpoché, Ling Rinpoché, Kirti Rinpoché and Sikyong Penpa Tsering joined the meeting.

“We, members of the Sri Lankan Mahasangha appreciate your service to the world,” the Most Venerable Dr. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Maha Nayaka Thero told His Holiness. “Teaching the world loving-kindness is one of the Buddha’s accomplishments. You too are doing what the Buddha did. We have metta for everyone. Cultivating warm-heartedness is what the Dharma is about. We are all human beings, which is why we love all human beings.

“We pray for your good health and long life and offer these relics to you.”

His Holiness respectfully touched his bowed head to the portable reliquary as the Sri Lankan party chanted auspicious verses.

“It seems that since the time of the Buddha interest in his teaching has grown around the world,” His Holiness told them. “The Nalanda Tradition utilizes human intelligence. I’ve met scientists who take an interest in what the Buddha taught, not out of faith, but on the basis of reason. They also take a genuine interest in what the teaching of the Buddha reveals about human psychology.

“Many years ago, when I met Chairman Mao Zedong he praised my scientific turn of mind but warned me that religion is poison. I think that if he could see the interest scientists show in Buddhism today, he would consider becoming a Buddhist himself. This is because the Buddha’s teaching takes a scientific approach.

“I respect all religious traditions, but it’s Buddhism in particular that employs reason. This is why we are able to hold our own in discussions with scientists. I’ve met scientists who were initially sceptical about religion in general who eventually became Buddhists.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama meeting with the delegation that came to offer the relic of the Buddha at his residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on April 4, 2024. Photo by Tenzin Choejor

“Now, on a practical level, the world needs peace and that’s the core of the Buddha’s message. However, I’m prepared not to mention Buddhism as such but to emphasize secular ethics and universal values crucial among which is compassion. The important thing is to have a warm heart. Consequently, I’m committed to encouraging people to cultivate loving-kindness. What I want to convey is that I’m fully committed to promoting the Buddha’s message from a secular point of view. What do you think?”

“It’s a good way to approach the future,” Maha Nayaka Thero replied.

“The world needs peace,” His Holiness continued. “Our experience of peace begins when we’re born, and we bask in our mother’s kindness and affection. This is our introduction to peace of mind. It’s this that sows a natural seed of compassion within us. We receive a clear lesson in love and compassion right from the start of our lives. Our experience of our mother’s love and compassion has a deep influence on us all. Having been nurtured in this way, it’s important to keep these feelings alive and to act on them throughout our lives.”

As the meeting came to an end, the visitors approached His Holiness one by one to pay their respects personally. In response, His Holiness first offered a statue of the Buddha and a Dharmachakra to Most Venerable Dr. Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Maha Nayaka Thero to be installed in his monastery and then gave him another smaller statue for his personal use. Next he offered a statue of the Buddha to each of the other monks and lay people in the party. Photographs were taken that record this historic occasion.

(Media Statement from Most Ven Dr Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Mahanayake Thero can be viewed here.)

Members of the delegation that offered a relic of the Buddha pose with for a photo with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at his residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on April 4, 2024. Photo by Tenzin Choejor

A Delegation of Peace and Harmony Visit Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.

By  —  BT NEWSDESK

Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang convened a meeting with the delegation of Peace and Harmony led by Shri Bibuti Kumar Mishra, the National President of Akhil Bharat Rachanatmak Samaj, on March 21, 2024. The delegation received a comprehensive briefing on the evolution, functioning, and composition of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.

Against the backdrop of global conflicts and environmental degradation in the name of progress, the Deputy Speaker emphasised the organisation’s pivotal role in fostering peace, harmony, and stability worldwide during the meeting with the Peace and Harmony delegation.

Drawing attention to the dire environmental situation in Tibet, the Deputy Speaker elucidated on the imperative of harmony, emphasising its significance not only among individuals but also between humanity and the environment while highlighting the unchecked exploitation of the Tibetan plateau and the crucial significance of Tibet’s environment and its rivers, which flow into countries across South East Asia, including India. She urged the visiting guests to advocate for resolving the Sino-Tibetan conflict, raise the significance of Tibet’s environment in their future endeavours, and emphasised the crucial role of women in uplifting society.

The visiting delegation had the opportunity to observe the proceedings of the ongoing session, where they were warmly welcomed by the assembly.

Shri Bibhuti Kumar Mishra serves as the National President of Akhil Bharat Rachnatmak Samaj (ABRS) in New Delhi. The organisation, founded by the Gandhian social worker Padma Vibhushan Dr. Nirmala Deshpande, former MP (RS), aims to promote peace and communal harmony globally.

Shri Bibhuti Kumar Mishra initiated a yearlong Peace and Harmony Journey starting from the auspicious day of July 6, 2023, the birth anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, with a nationwide tree plantation drive. He has been actively involved in the Tibetan cause through Akhil Bharat Rachanatmak Samaj.

The organisation focuses on empowering socially disadvantaged youth and is also the founder of the Mahila Prabodhini Foundation in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. This foundation is dedicated to the socio-economic development of rural women, particularly those from marginalised communities.

–Filed by Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat

-by dalailama.com

Chancellor of the University of Colarado, Philipa P Distefano, opening the meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and young leaders taking part in the Dalai Lama Fellows program along with accompanying guests at His Holiness’s residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on March 20, 2024. Photo by Ven Tenzin Jamphel

By  — BT NEWSDESK

Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India, 20 March 2024: This morning, His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with fourteen young leaders taking part in the Dalai Lama Fellows program and an accompanying group of invited guests. The Dalai Lama Fellows is a unique one-year leadership program for emerging social-change-makers that is designed to integrate contemplative work and intentional personal transformation with efforts to bring about positive change in their respective communities.

As soon as His Holiness had taken his seat in the meeting room the Chancellor of the University of Colarado, Philipa P Distefano, opened proceedings. He told His Holiness that he had come with friends and colleagues to share a conversation on compassionate leadership. He reminded His Holiness that the University of Colarado had hosted him in Boulder in 2016 and that they had engaged in a further virtual conversation in October 2021.

“It’s a joy to be with you and Dalai Lama Fellows from the University of Colorado, Stanford University and the University of Virginia,” he remarked. “This is an opportunity to shape tomorrow’s leaders.”

As part of her introduction, Moderator Sona Dimidjian told His Holiness that his advice had been a guide to her work in psychology and neuroscience and to her family.

Moderator Sona Dimidjian delivering her introduction during the meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and young leaders taking part in the Dalai Lama Fellows program along with accompanying guests at His Holiness’s residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on March 20, 2024. Photo by Ven Tenzin Jamphel

“We seek your guidance again,” she told him, “for these young people who, looking out to the world see competition and conflict, war and suffering. And when they look inward, they see suffering, sorrow and despair.

“Since the Dalai Lama Fellows program was launched in 2004 more than 200 Fellows from 50 countries have taken part. They wish to put your teachings into action, combining an inward and outward focus to bring about change in the world. Their hearts are open.”

Dimidjian reported that when she reached the gate to His Holiness’s residence this morning, she found the group of Dalai Lama Fellows singing together as they waited to enter. This served as a prompt for them to break into song once more as they chanted, “Open my heart, open my heart, let it overflow with love.” Dimidjian then asked His Holiness if he had a few words for them about how they could put compassion into action.

“First,” he replied, “I want to tell you how happy I am to be meeting with you here. Basically we have all been born of a mother and received maximum affection from her. It’s a natural response, we see other animals do this too. It’s an experience we all share in common, and it means we are all essentially the same. We survive because of our mother’s kindness. This is something very important to remember.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to young leaders taking part in the Dalai Lama Fellows program along with accompanying guests at his residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on March 20, 2024. Photo by Ven Zamling Norbu

“While we’re still young, the sense of our mother’s affection remains vivid within us, but as we grow up and go to school, it begins to decline. How much better it would be if we could keep our appreciation of her kindness fresh and alive until we die? One way to do this is to make an effort to nurture a sense of compassion and warm-heartedness.

“Wherever I go and whoever I meet, I smile and greet them warmly. That’s how everyone becomes my friend. The key thing is to be warm-hearted towards others. I believe warm-heartedness is part of our very nature. It brings about peace of mind and attracts friends. Our mother’s real gift to us is her smile and her affectionate warm-heartedness.”

Sona Dimidjian mentioned that she was excited to introduce seven Dalai Lama Fellows who, in pairs, would put questions to His Holiness. The Fellows were Khang Nguyen from Vietnam and Damilola Fasoranti from Nigeria/ Rwanda; Mansi Kotak from Kenya and Serene Singh from the United Kingdom; Brittanie Richardson from Kenya/ USA and Shrutika Silswal from India, as well as Anthony Demauro from USA. They asked him what they could do to promote a recognition of human values, shared and universal. They sought his advice about how to inspire others to choose service and the care of others as a way of life. They wanted to know how to employ compassion as a leader when feeling angry and frustrated and they enquired how to resist injustice while maintaining compassion even for oppressors.

Young leaders taking part in the Dalai Lama Fellows program asking His Holiness the Dalai Lama a question during their meeting at his residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on March 20, 2024. Photo by Ven Tenzin Jamphel

“If we were to keep the basic sense of affection that we received from our mother alive,” His Holiness replied, “there’d be no reason to quarrel with anyone. However, instead of thinking about what we have in common with other people, we tend to focus on the differences between us.

“Wherever I go, I think of myself as just another human being and I smile. I don’t think of myself as the Dalai Lama and somehow separate. And whenever I meet someone new, I feel they are just like me. We may have different names and our skin or hair may be a different colour, but these are just secondary differences.

“I just see other people I meet as human beings, as brothers and sisters. I don’t dwell on the differences between us, I think about the ways in which we’re the same. When I was very young, living in North-east Tibet, I played with the neighbouring children. I responded to them just as children like me. It was only later that I realized incidentally that many of them came from Muslim families and that my family was Buddhist.

“The essential thing we have to remember is that, when it comes down to it, we are all the same as human beings. Sometimes we forget our basic human values, our generosity and sense of kindness, because we let prejudice or negative discrimination take over. Whatever our religion, culture or ethnicity, at a fundamental level we are the same in being human. Thinking too much about being ‘Dalai Lama’ sets me apart from others, when I’m much more concerned with our common humanity.

“As I’ve already said, young children are just open and friendly. They don’t discriminate between themselves and others. It’s only when they grow older that they become aware of ways in which we are different. And the risk is that this leads to conflict. The way to balance this out is to think about how we are all the same. This is what we must remind ourselves. At a fundamental level we have to acknowledge the oneness of humanity, that in being human we are just like each other. Our faces have two eyes, one nose and a mouth.

A view of the hall during the meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and young leaders taking part in the Dalai Lama Fellows program along with accompanying guests at his residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on March 20, 2024. Photo by Ven Tenzin Jamphel

“The fact that people of different colour, nationality and so on can procreate and give birth to viable, fertile, healthy children confirms that as human beings we are fundamentally the same.

“We do have different, complementary identities, for example I’m Tibetan, I’m a monk and I have the name Dalai Lama, but the most important point is that I’m a human being.

“We are social beings, we make connections with each other, but that doesn’t seem to be enough to stop us allowing conflicts to develop. However, one of the benefits of internalizing a sense of the oneness of humanity, the conviction that as human beings we are all the same, is that it makes us more relaxed.”

Sona Dimidjian thanked His Holiness for welcoming the group and sharing his wisdom with them. She invited Vijay Khatri to make some closing remarks.

“This week has been transformational,” he began. “As the saying goes, ‘The mind is not just a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.’ We have engaged with you and learned from you about compassion and warm-heartedness and we thank you for this kind gift.”

“As I mentioned earlier,” His Holiness responded, “when we’re very young we play with other children without any prejudice or suspicion between us. This kind of open, even-handed attitude is what we must preserve. We see each other in terms of ‘us’ and ‘them’ and this can lead to conflict. This is why it’s useful to regularly remind ourselves how much we have in common and that those we regard as ‘them’, not ‘us’, are human beings too.”

Sona Dimidjian wished His Holiness a peaceful, joyful day and told him the group looked forward to seeing him again tomorrow.

Vijay Khatri delivering his closing remarks during the meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and young leaders taking part in the Dalai Lama Fellows program along with accompanying guests at His Holiness’s residence in Dharamsala, HP, India on March 20, 2024. Photo by Ven Zamling Norbu