The
Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama receiving the
doctor of letters (Honoris Causa) from the Indira Gandhi National Open
University on its 24th convocation day in New Delhi, September 5, 2011.
(Photo/OHHDL/Tenzin Choejor)
New Delhi, India, 5 September
2011 (By Tendar Tsering, phayul.com) - His Holiness the Dalai Lama inaugurated the Centre for Tibetan
Studies at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), India’s
largest distant learning education centre in Delhi, today in the
afternoon.
The Dalai Lama was also awarded the degree of doctor
of letters (Honoris Causa) by the university on its 24th convocation
day, making it the second Indian university after Jamia Millia Islamia
University to honour the Nobel peace laureate.
His Holiness was amongst the one hundred thousand students who received their degrees from the University today.
While
speaking to an audience of more than a thousand people, the Dalai Lama
said that education based on morality is a must in today’s world.
"Education
which you have got is like an instrument. Whether you use it
constructively or destructively, it is in your hands," Dalai Lama said.
"Education with brain is useful when utilised constructively with warm
heart."
The Tibetan leader shared the latest scientific findings
of the positive use of ancient Buddhist practices in our modern times
and urged the University to emphasise more on Buddhist philosophy of
mind, brain, and emotion beside language studies at the newly
inaugurated centre.
The opening of the centre comes weeks after a
bill was introduced in the Indian parliament seeking constitutional
recognition to Bhoti (Tibetan) language.
The Centre for Tibetan
Studies, first announced by IGNOU Vice Chancellor Prof. V.N.
Rajasekharan Pillai in April last year is aimed at helping “preserve the
endangered Tibetan culture in India and Nepal”.
The Centre for
Tibetan Studies will develop and launch B.A./M.A./M.Phil/Ph.D.
programmes on Tibetan studies, Buddhist Philosophy and Theology with
IGNOU and the Varanasi based Central University for Tibetan Studies
jointly issuing the degrees.
