USD Magazine Summer 2012

On inner peace and happiness: “Through education, through aware- ness, I think we can develop a deeper understanding about the systemof our inner world. Through that way, we can develop genuine inner peace, and once that inner peace develops, justice automatically comes ... “Since immense technological and material development have failed to bring real happiness to humanity, now the time has come to find different ways. Education and institutions are the key factor to further investigation. Eventually we have to find some kind of curricu- lum about these inner values, from kindergarten to the university level. Experiment with one school, with limited students, for five years. What is the result? If it’s positive, expand to another 10 schools, then another 100 schools. Then things become really convincing and we can adopt on a larger scale, even, finally, the federal level, and the global level ... “In order to build a happy 21st century — a century full of peace, based on inner peace and com- passion — our ultimate goal is through education, through awareness, through everybody taking care of one’s self. A healthy mind brings a healthy body and a healthy family. I think that’s the way to build, to change, to trans- form our world.”

perpetrator. Losing compassion is a very serious danger.”

On himself as a person: “I am just another human being. We are

the same. These kind words and medals are recognition for my small contribution for serving humanity. So, thank you very much.” On the value of compassion: “I really am impressed how often, in different places and countries, how quite often I’m hearing about compassion, peace and non-vio- lence. And many places, including this university, are really making actual efforts to implement the value of compassion ... “Compassion is a noble sort of emotion. If you remain cautious, because the facts say you should distrust a person, because they really want to harm you, to hate you, to create trauma for you, you can keep a genuine sense of con- cern for their well-being. They are also human beings, just like you. Keep a genuine sense of compas- sion, a sense of concern over their well-being. That you can do ... “One Tibetan monk I know very well was arrested by the Chinese authorities in 1959 for the next 18 years. In the early ’80s, after things were more liberal, these people were released and had the oppor- tunity to come to India. He told me that during his 18 years in Chinese prison, he faced some dangers. I thought danger for his life, may- be, so I asked what kind of danger. His answer was, ‘Danger of losing compassion toward the Chinese.’ A trained person has that kind of attitude. It’s really important to keep compassion towards your

On non-violence and violence: “Genuine peace must come through inner peace, from a sincere sense of concern for others’ well-being. On the other hand, if the motivation is to cheat, to exploit, to take advan- tage while using nice words, even though it looks like non- violence if the motivation is to harm, it is essentially violence. So the ultimate demarcation of violence and non-violence is entirely based on motivation ... “There’s a Tibetan saying … the Tibetan word for temper rhymes with knuckles, so the saying is, ‘When you lose your temper, just bite your knuckles.’ So at least, there’s some pain that distracts your anger. I like that ... “Many of my friends — scien- tists and educators — are really concerned about youth and the younger generation, about the violence and unhealthy things they see happening. And having a very luxurious life or coming from a richer family still doesn’t make them happy. So what’s wrong? Physical comfort doesn’t mean mental comfort. The men- tal satisfaction that comes from money is only temporary. In the long run, mental comfort must develop within the mind itself ... “The 20th century eventually became the century of blood, the century of fear, the century of violence. Those unhappy events were actually the symptom of past negligence, of past mistakes.”

On respect for reli- gious traditions: “I’ma Buddhist, therefore,

I shouldnot develop an attachment towards Buddhism. Because once I develop an attachment, I become narrowminded, and then I can’t see

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