Dharamshala: - The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama Thursday began a two day teaching for Tibetan youth on "Opening the New Eye of Awareness" at the Tibetan Childrens' Village School (TCV) in Upper Dharamshala, India.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived at the TCV school Thursday morning, where was given a warm traditional welcome by the students, staff of the TCV and the teaching organizers, holding traditional white scarf and incense to greet him.
Over 2,000 Tibetan youths from different TCV schools, including college students, gathered at the main TCV school hall to receive the Tibetan Buddhist leader's teaching. The teaching is aimed to create more awareness about Tibetan Buddhism and culture among Tibetan youths.
His Holiness also released a new book before starting his teachings. The book, titled "The Potala Palace", Authored by Ven Thupten Yarphel of the Dharamshala based Namgyal Monastery. Tibetan history, religion, and culture come together in this book about the Palace.
The ancient palace is the most spectacular art and religious treasure-house in all of Tibet. His Holiness the Dalai Lama praised the Author for his hard work and research.
The school hall fills up with crowds of students, while around 20-laypersons performed two Tibetan Buddhist philosophical debates on two different topics.
On several occasion, His Holiness has mentioned that studying Buddhist philosophy is very important to become a 21st century Buddhist, because, Buddhism is an important aspect of the Tibetan identity.
His Holiness will explain excerpts from his book, 'Opening the Eye of New Awareness' ( Tib: Lekshey Losar Migjey), which he wrote in the early 1960s. The book gives survey of general Buddhist teachings and emphasizes the importance of seeking the shared values of different religions rather than focusing on the differences.
Addressing the youths, His Holiness said this teaching is being conducted in the hope of providing new awareness about how to generate warm-hardheartedness and lead a happy life.
His Holiness said that modern education and wealth can provide us food and shelter, but they cannot bring us lasting happiness. Happiness can only be achieved through exchange of love and affection towards one another, His Holiness added.
The 77-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate stressed on the importance of educating the youth on the value of love, kindness and compassion by through institutional education system.
He said we share the same mutual desire to be loved and have same potential to be happy. These can be achieved only through nurturing basic virtues like love, affection and kindness, he added.
After the two day event, His Holiness will give a two day teaching on Tsongkhapa's The Three Principal Aspects of the Path (lamtso namsum) and confer a Medicine Buddha Empowerment (menlha jenang) at the request of a group of Vietnamese at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamshala, India.
