His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Menu
Search
Social
Language
  • The Dalai Lama
  • Schedule
  • In Pictures
  • Videos
English
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
LIVE Webcasts
  • Home
  • The Dalai Lama
  • Schedule
  • News
  • In Pictures
  • Videos
Messages
  • Compassion and Human Values
  • World Peace
  • Environment
  • Religious Harmony
  • Buddhism
  • Retirement and Reincarnation
  • Tibet
  • Articles, Transcripts and Interviews
  • Acceptance Speeches
  • Dolgyal (Shugden)
Teachings
  • Practical Advices for Attending the Teachings in India
  • Training the Mind
  • Words of Truth
  • Introduction to the Kalachakra
Office
  • Public Audiences
  • Private Audiences
  • Media Interviews
  • Invitations
  • Contact
  • The Gaden Phodrang Foundation
Books
  • Heart to Heart
  • The Little Book of Joy
  • Searching for the Self - Library of Wisdom and Compassion Vol 7
  • This Fragile Planet: His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Environment
  • Courageous Compassion - Library of Wisdom and Compassion Vol 6
  • The Little Book of Encouragement
View all books
  • News

Address to the 2nd National Teachers' Congress January 10, 2018

Share

Pune, Maharashtra, India - Late yesterday morning, His Holiness the Dalai Lama flew across Central India from Gaya to Pune. He was received at Pune Airport by representatives of MAEER’s MIT and the National Teachers Congress, who were hosting his visit, as well as members of the local Tibetan community.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama meeting with members of the Tibetan community in Pune, Maharashtra, India on January 10, 2018. Photo by Tenzin Taklha

This morning, prior to leaving for the main event, His Holiness met with more than 130 members of the Tibetan community in Pune—students, shopkeepers and some professionals. In his talk to them he touched on the need to study Tibetan. He explained that Tibetan is the language in which Buddhism, particularly of the Nalanda Tradition, can be explained most accurately. He brought them up to date on the political situation with regard to Tibet stressing that things are changing in China. He assured them that he remains hopeful things will change for the better.

At the campus of MAEER MIT World Peace University, His Holiness was ushered into the main marquee for the inauguration of the 2nd National Teacher’s Congress. After a classical dance performance and the screening of a short film on what had been achieved at the 1st National Teacher’s Conference, His Holiness and other guests were invited to ring an education bell before taking their seats on the stage.

Artists performing classical dance at the start of the 2nd National Teachers' Congress Inaugural Ceremony in Pune, Maharashtra, India on January 10, 2018. Photo by Lobsang Tsering

After a short welcome speech by Mukta Tilak the Mayor of Pune, Rahul Karad, the Executive President of MAEER MIT World Peace University, and main organizer of the Congress, welcomed teachers from all over India, and several from abroad, who had come to take part. Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Founding Patron of the National Teacher’s Congress and an eminent Indian scientist offered remarks on education.

His Holiness began his address by emphasizing the need for compassion in today’s increasingly troubled world. Many of the man-made problems we face, he said, are due to an emotional crisis that we see taking place across the world. He pointed out that medical scientists have observed that anger is clearly detrimental for our health and well-being.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing the audience at the 2nd National Teachers' Congress Inaugural Ceremony at the campus of MAEER MIT World Peace University in Pune, Maharashtra, India on January 10, 2018. Photo by Lobsang Tsering

“Constant anger actually eats into our immune system. Compassion acts as a positive counter force to that. Common sense tells us that compassion is important. Even animals show each other affection and compassion and they are capable of responding if we show them an angry face. We regard neighbours who are honest, compassionate and sincere with affection and respect, even if they are not well off. We feel it’s a pleasure to meet them. On the other hand, if our neighbours are powerful and wealthy, but never greet us with a smile, we’d prefer not to see them. That’s human nature.”

His Holiness remarked that when what we think of as modern education began to emerge in the West, moral values were still the province of the church. Nowadays, modern education focuses primarily on physical development and material goals, while the influence of the church has declined. Consequently, ethics are neglected.

Members of the audience listening to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's address at the 2nd National Teachers' Congress Inaugural Ceremony at the campus of MAEER MIT World Peace University in Pune, Maharashtra, India on January 10, 2018. Photo by Lobsang Tsering

“Modern education pays little attention to inner values and yet our basic human nature is compassionate. We need to incorporate compassion and warm-heartedness into the modern education system to make it more holistic. Much of the turmoil we witness across the world is because people are overwhelmed by disturbing emotions that they have no idea how to tackle. I believe that the rich understanding of the workings of the mind and emotions that we find in ancient Indian traditions remains relevant today. There would be great value in examining this and applying it, not from a religious point of view, but from an academic and practical standpoint.”

As the inaugural ceremony came to an end, His Holiness was invited to present the Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar Awards to four people who have made an outstanding contribution to education.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama presenting the Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar Awards at the 2nd National Teachers' Congress Inaugural Ceremony in Pune, Maharashtra, India on January 10, 2018. Photo by Lobsang Tsering

His Holiness then drove straight to Pune Airport from where he flew directly to Gaya, arriving back in Bodhgaya at the end of the afternoon.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • All Content Copyright © The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
Copy

Choose Language

  • Tibetan
  • Chinese
  • Korean
  • Hindi
  • Japanese
  • Italiano
  • Deutsch
  • Mongol
  • Russian
  • Français
  • Tiếng Việt
  • Español

Social Channels

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube

Choose Language

  • Tibetan
  • Chinese
  • Korean
  • Hindi
  • Japanese
  • Deutsch
  • Italiano
  • Mongol
  • Russian
  • Français
  • Tiếng Việt
  • Español

Search Website

Popular Searches

  • Schedule
  • Biography
  • Awards
  • Homepage
  • The Dalai Lama
    • Biography and Daily Life
      • Principal Commitments
      • Brief Biography
      • Birth to Exile
      • Retirement
        • 52nd Anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day Statement
        • Message to 14th Assembly
        • Retirement Remarks
      • Reincarnation
      • Routine Day
      • Questions & Answers
    • Previous Dalai Lamas
      • Short Biographies of the Previous Dalai Lamas
    • Events and Awards
      • Chronology of Events
      • Awards & Honors 2000 - Present
        • Award & Honors 1957 - 1999
      • Dignitaries Met 2011 - Present
        • Dignitaries Met 2005 - 2010
        • Dignitaries Met 2000 - 2004
        • Dignitaries Met 1990 - 1999
        • Dignitaries Met 1954 - 1989
      • Travels
        • Travels 2010 - Present
        • Travels 2000 - 2009
        • Travels 1990 - 1999
        • Travels 1980 - 1989
        • Travels 1959 - 1979
  • Schedule
    • 2023 Archive
    • 2022 Archive
    • 2021 Archive
    • 2020 Archive
    • 2019 Archive
    • 2018 Archive
    • 2017 Archive
    • 2016 Archive
    • 2015 Archive
    • 2014 Archive
    • 2013 Archive
    • 2012 Archive
    • 2011 Archive
    • 2010 Archive
    • 2009 Archive
    • 2008 Archive
  • News
    • 2023 Archive
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2022 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2021 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2020 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2019 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2018 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2017 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2016 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2015 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2014 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2013 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2012 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2011 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2010 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2009 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2008 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2007 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2006 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
    • 2005 Archive
      • December
      • November
      • October
      • September
      • August
      • July
      • June
      • May
      • April
      • March
      • February
      • January
  • In Pictures
  • Videos
  • Messages
  • Teachings
    • Practical Advices for Attending the Teachings in India
    • Training the Mind
      • Training the Mind: Verse 1
      • Training the Mind: Verse 2
      • Training the Mind: Verse 3
      • Training the Mind: Verse 4
      • Training the Mind: Verse 5 & 6
      • Training the Mind: Verse 7
      • Training the Mind: Verse 8
      • Generating the Mind for Enlightenment
    • Words of Truth
    • Introduction to the Kalachakra
  • Office
    • Public Audiences
    • Private Audiences
    • Media Interviews
    • Invitations
    • Contact
    • The Gaden Phodrang Foundation
  • Books
  • LIVE Webcasts