Dharamshala: - The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was awarded the degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) in recognition of his contributions to the world peace and development from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), on September 5th in Indian capital of New Delhi. A new center for Tibetan Studies was also inaugurated by His Holiness at the campus of the university.
"I'm a lazy student, and getting one more honorary degree without any effort is great," said the spiritual leader of Tibet, the 14th Dalai Lama as His Holiness accepted the Doctor of Letters presented to him by the university, Honoris Causa. The degree was presented "in recognition of his contribution to world peace and development".
Addressing the gathering at the 24th convocation of the university, His Holiness the Dalai Lama insisted that the 21st Century should be a period of peace, and problems should be resolved through dialogue and understanding. "No religion, no matter how good, can ever be universal. But science and philosophy can be," he said.
IGNOU Vice-Chancellor V N R Pillai announced the transformation of the Pan-African e-Network Project into the India-Africa Virtual University. "As announced by the prime minister in Addis Ababa, we are going to set up the India- Africa Virtual University," he said.
A new center for Tibetan Studies was also inaugurated by His Holiness at the IGNOU during the 24th convocation of the university.
"When you talk about Tibetan Studies, all the important subject matter is taken from the Indian tradition. Historically, due to Buddhism spreading in Tibet, we share the guru-disciple relationship," said the Tibetan spiritual leader while announcing the inauguration of the center.
"It is all your treasure which we studied, practiced and followed the whole life. Now is the time to return to the original source. The establishment of the center can show the usefulness of study of inner science," said His Holiness.
His Holiness told the crowd that "There are around 300 volumes of Buddhist text translated from India, specifically from Pali language and very few from Chinese language. These can be summed up in three heads: science, concept and Buddhist religion.
"Science explains mainly the inner science, mind and emotions to apprise oneself with the reality. Concept explains the absence of independent existence while religion tells us how to pray and maintain contact with the inner realms," said the spiritual leader of Tibet.
The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate also emphasized upon the constructive and destructive uses of education. "To use it in a constructive way, one must have more inner strength with self restraint. Moral ethics is the basis of happy individual, community and family."
