The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Saturday while taking part in a meeting of Gelukpa Abbots and teachers in Bodh Gaya told that Buddha’s teachings are based on reason and logic, not mere faith. His Holiness discussed with Gelukpa abbots and teacher about the ways to improve education at Gelukpa seats of learning during the meeting.
“The teaching of the Buddha is about taming the mind not merely on the basis of faith, but in dependence on reason and logic. However, the general public in Tibet didn’t pay much attention to this. It was the monastic community’s responsibility to study and learn. After we came into exile in 1959, we re-established our centres of learning. But it wasn’t until my first visit to Europe in 1973 that I really came to appreciate that we could learn from others and there was a great deal they might learn from us.” told the spiritual leader during the meeting of the members of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhists.
His Holiness also advised to discuss views of one sect of religion with other sects as wells as with other religious point of views to extend the range of our studies.
“It would be good too if, for example, Gelukpas learned what Nyingmapas have to say and if Nyingmapas paid attention to Gelukpa doctrine. We need to reinvigorate our traditions. To be complacent now will just lead to difficulties in the future. We need to assess the current circumstances and see whether there are drawbacks and shortcomings in what we are doing that can be overcome.” His Holiness added.
Prior to arriving at the meeting on Saturday, His Holiness the Dalai Lama paid a short visit to the Mahabodhi Stupa, where he paid his respects to the Buddha statue in the temple. Following that, the spiritual leader also took part in the prayers held to mark the fifteenth death anniversary of Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok, the celebrated Nyingma Lama around whom the thriving Buddhist community of Larung Gar gathered in Tibet.