Be a sceptic, learn to question: Dalai Lama

Bengaluru: “We are all human beings and I don’t think I am someone special. We are all the same, emotionally, mentally and physically. The only difference between you and me is that I have been a monk since my childhood,” said the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama to peels of laughter at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Nimhans) on Monday.

The surprise package for the audience and the Dalai Lama was Hollywood hunk Richard Gere, who walked in during the middle of the session. In his brief speech, Gere said, “A certain irony to come to India and give talks on meditation to Indians. Meditation is quite new to us (Westerners).”  

The Dalai Lama, invited to unveil the foundation plaque of the Institute’s Integrated Centre for Yoga, exhorted the audience to look into reality with logic and scepticism. “Approach becomes realistic which is of immense help. Logic also helps. Questioning things and events and beliefs, with ‘why’ and ‘how’ is helpful to develop scepticism. Don’t accept easily,” he said.

On religion, he said, “We cannot generalise and say that this religion is the best. I cannot say Buddhism is the best religion. A religion that is suitable to one might not be suitable to another and, in many cases, such a belief could be harmful. My advice to all of you is that don't accept a religion because of faith or emotions. Rather, conduct a thorough investigation, enquiry and research and then accept.”

He asked the audience not to accept without understanding reality. During his interaction with the audience, he said, “I was a lazy student. But eventually, I gathered general enthusiasm and knowledge. I now admire scientific way of thinking.”

He said, “People just accept. That way of thinking leads to blind faith. We need a scientific approach while progressing. At places where clinical scientific approaches cannot solve the issue, we have the ancient knowledge. It is great that this Institute carries research forward and combines ancient knowledge with modern science.”

He said, “Indians must wake up. It is not right to keep living a materialistic life. Ancient Indian psychology was highly developed than modern psychology. Modern India is busy following the Western world. Modern Indians are too Westernised, and hence not our guru,” said the Dalai Lama, with a chuckle. Revealing his funny side, he said, “Once, I joked with a North Indian friend of mine saying that South Indians have something special and not North Indians!”

The spiritual guru, who interacted with the audience after his speech, answered questions about life after death, serving humanity and how he manages to be the most influential leader and yet humble. “If I think I am the Dalai Lama, the chosen one among seven billion people, I feel very alone. Hence when I think that these seven billion people are my brothers and sisters, I become very happy. I feel pity for those people who get enamoured by position and power. I hate formality.” He ended saying, “Make contributions to make the world better. Heaven, hell does not matter. We live on this planet and helping the world as our family matters.”

Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.