The Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has scathingly criticised China’s efforts to eradicate Buddhism, claiming that China is seeking to target and kill Buddhism but it will fail.
Speaking on Saturday during the third and final day of the teaching programme at Kalachakra Maidan in Bodh Gaya, the Tibetan spiritual leader accused China of viewing Buddhism as poisonous and of waging a systematic war against it by destroying its institutions, but that this effort had been completely ineffective.
The Dalai Lama said at the Bodh Gaya event, “We have a strong belief in the Buddha’s teachings. When I travel to trans-Himalayan regions, I often encounter locals who are deeply committed to the dharma. I also notice this in Mongolia and China, even though the Chinese government views the dharma as poison and has attempted to eradicate it without success. By promoting Buddhism, the Chinese government damaged it. From China, Buddhism could not be eradicated. In China, there are still a lot of individuals who practise Buddhism.”
He further claimed that the number of Buddhist Viharas demolished by the Chinese government has not affected the country’s population of Buddhists.
He said that China still has a significant number of Buddhist monasteries and that its residents have strong ties to the religion.
“The Bodhicitta (spiritual enlightenment) I am transmitting must be accepted by those who are demonstrating faith in both me and Buddhism. There are a lot of Buddhist monasteries in China, whether they be Tibetan, Mongolian, or Chinese. I’ve travelled to China a lot. There are still several Buddha Viharas there now. Buddhism and Buddha are on people’s thoughts. Buddhism is a subject that people are really attached to. Buddhism and China have a long-standing relationship “he continued.
He requested to engage in Bodhicitta practise for oneself or others.
“If we also consider Tibetan tradition, Shakyas practise Bodhicitta in Nigama, which promotes longevity and keeps the mind and body young. This also promotes restful sleep. Nothing could be better when considering everyone’s well-being than this. The internal sins and sorrows may be eliminated via Bodhicitta practise “declared Dalai Lama.
Pema Khandu, the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh, also attended the Dalai Lama’s teaching session on Saturday at Kalachakra Maidan in Bodh Gaya.
The Dalai Lama’s speech was heard by more than 80,000 Buddhist enthusiasts.
While recently on a trip to Bodh Gaya, a group of high-ranking Sri Lankan Buddhist monks requested that His Holiness the Dalai Lama pay a visit to their country, which is now experiencing a dire economic crisis.
Earlier on December 27, they had a meeting with the Dalai Lama, the head of the Buddhist faith, and were overwhelmed by seeing a sizable crowd in the sacred city of Bodh Gaya.
The high-ranking monk desired that the Dalai Lama would go to Sri Lanka and assist in resolving the economic problems that nation has been experiencing lately.
