Dharamshala: "Corruption is like a cancer." This was His Holiness the Dalai Lama's stark message during an inter-Buddhist dialogue between Tibetan and Thai practitioners in New Delhi, between December 15 – 16.
During a speech on "Solutions to the World's Problems", he referred to violence and bloodshed during the 20th Century, as a result of which some historians estimate 200 million people were killed, stating: "We need to find a new approach to creating a better world.
"We have major problems to deal with, including climate change, population increase, the gap between rich and poor, and corruption.
"People voice anxiety about an ancient Mayan prediction of the imminent end of the world, but unless we address corruption, which is like a cancer, we will face disaster."
Almost 50 monks and scholars, as well as 300 Thai lay people joined the Dalai Lama for the lively event, which began just two days after the 77-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader completed a month-long teaching on the 18 Great Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (Lam Rim) split between Gaden Changtse monastery in Mundgod, and Sera Jey monastery in Bylakuppe, both in Karnataka, South India.
Promoting the idea of secular ethics, on which he published his successful book, Beyond Religion, last year, the Dalai Lama added: "We should remember that the Buddha taught for the benefit of all human beings.
"We too are part of humanity. To solve these problems we have a responsibility to work together.
"As a Tibetan Buddhist my concern is for the whole of humanity, and you too should consider more than just Thailand and Bangkok."
His Holiness will remain in New Delhi until January 4, where he will also give a four-day teaching for Russian Buddhists and deliver two lectures, before beginning another four-day teaching on Shantideva's Guide to the Boddhisattva's Way of Life, in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, India, between January 7 – 10.
