7th February marked a startling day as we witnessed an entire auditorium brimming with women all around, each of them more captivated than the next, completely engrossed in the sweet words of his holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, Lhamo Dondrub who with his tranquil saffron robe and delightful chuckle instantly put the audience at ease.
Before we set out to describe how this event was and always will be one for the serene and prestigious walls of Jesus and Mary College, it is important to reiterate why the Dalai Lama seems to bring metaphorical peace doves with him and fill a feeling of awe in everyone’s eyes. Tibetan Buddhists believe him to be the 14th reincarnation of the original Dalai Lama, a spiritual leader who was born in 1351 and who was said to be the reincarnation of Avalokiteshvara, Buddhism’s Bodhisattva of Compassion.
The Commerce Department organised this event almost effortlessly with security and sanity both intact despite the over imposing crowd of college students and faculty. The sole objective of this Talk was to enlighten the audience on Compassion, Mercy and Universal Responsibility in a way that opens up your mind and does not leave you feeling intimidated. All our eyes and senses were open as the Dalai Lama spoke about how everyone’s ultimate desire is happiness and our devotion to god and segregation based on religion has nothing to do with that ultimate goal. We live in such cushioned environments that the only grief that reflects in our eyes is from the Television channels. His holiness gave a befitting example of how proud Punjabis are and their need to display their beliefs which sent the audience in raves.
The Dalai Lama collaborated his energies to make us envision a world of ‘Oneness’ and ‘Compassion’ because human beings are social animals and their first instinct is to be compassionate and we need to train our minds to bring that out more. The only solution to mould our minds it to further educate ourselves and to remember that affection in turn brings affection back to you.
The World’s individual identities must be put aside to focus on global issues like global warming where someone’s faith or religion does not need to interfere with one’s notion to do good for themselves and for others. He spoke about how institutions like various colleges in Delhi University have blossoming potential to produce compassionate human beings because that is what you are remembered for, he then went on to express his undying adulation for Mother Teresa and her devotion to society. He was particularly peeved by how there are segregations and various excuses for violence even within religions like in Islam even though the religion is based on one Quran.
He believes that there are scientific approaches to meditation that facilitate you in moulding your minds to exude more compassion and prevent the overflow of emotions which is when people take imbalanced decisions.
“We must utilise logic and so we must investigate, we do not accept easily, why? And how?” said the Dalai Lama on his scientific approach to expanding your mind. Questioning is a part of the key pillars on the path to a sound mind.
There were without a doubt various questions raised by the audience including some by both keen students and members of the faculty. As a response to a question on militancy, his holiness asked us to tap into our intelligence and not rely on negative actions and bullying as a coping mechanism, he touched on relations between China and India and stated that they needed to trust each other and above all “De-militarize”. He urged the millennials present there to maintain their moral principles no matter what profession one might choose because each professions fills a vital place in the world.
He concluded by cementing a belief of responsibility in each of us through analytical meditation and quietness which is where we tend to open up to our realisations more. Teachers and students must have a cooperative and open relationship where there is a lot of room for dialogue and that is how students can be steered to the right path, through trust. If one’s mind is peaceful and smiling then physical ailments can go away because such is the power of the mind.
Feature Image: Mehak Dhawan, Jesus and Mary College
Baani Kashyap
