Attachment to faith leads to violence: Dalai Lama

Delivering the first National Institute for Advanced Studies (NIAS) Distinguished Fellow Lecture on Sunday, he said, “Attachment to faith makes you believe in one truth, one religion.

The belief in one truth makes you biased, leading to one belief trying to kill another. You want to impose your beliefs on others, rejecting the reality of many religions.”

Condemning the atrocities in the name of religion, he said, “Don’t use the name of religion for terrorism. The conflict in religion arises when there is a conflict for power. Some Muslim countries around the world are in conflict. Indian Muslims should take an active role in bringing more harmony within the community.”

Stressing that modern science was moving towards ancient Indian traditions, he said, “Quantum physics is a new theory, but Buddhist leader Nagarjuna’s writings which are 2,000 years old have references to the concept of quantum physics. There's no solid self. The business of ‘Aatma’ and ‘Anatma’ are private business. Quantum physics is like that.”

He pointed out that modern education system was material-oriented and the science of mind was not given importance.

“The only hope that is left is education. Education has the important responsibility of building healthy mind and only healthy-minded people can build healthy societies,” the Dalai Lama said.

Pointing out that education has also played a key role in changing the world, he said, “Weapons and economy will not create a peaceful world, but a secular education system will. Those who create wars survive, but innocent children and young mothers suffer. Maybe the modern science should build a bullet which will only hit those who create wars, but not the innocents!”

He concluded with an emphasis, “Don't expect miracles. I don't believe in miracles and healing powers. Those who claim miracle powers deceive us!”