“No religion preaches social discrimination. It is an offshoot of the societal systems like the feudalism,” said Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
The Dalai Lama, who was the key speaker at the state-level seminar on 'Social Justice and Dr B R Ambedkar' organised by social welfare department of Karnataka government to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar, said, “Caste related injustice and feeling of inferiority among some sections of the people can be wiped out with education. Equality can only be achieved through self confidence, hard work and education. When we consider rest of the humanity as our brothers and sisters, there will be no exploitation.”
“India is a guru and we (Tibet) are chelas (followers), the obedient chelas, as we have preserved the ancient Indian traditions,” said the Dalai Lama calling himself the “messenger of ancient Indian values and knowledge”.
"I consider myself the son of India as every part of my brain cells is filled with ancient Indian knowledge and my body is because of Indian rice and dal,” said the Dalai Lama, calling for revival of ancient Indian values and knowledge.
“While modern science and technology help achieve physical comfort, the ancient Indian knowledge and values bring inner peace. Buddha dharma is Indian dharma as most of its teachings and knowledge came from this country,” said the spiritual guru, adding that with the spread of Buddhism across the world, ancient Indian values like karuna (compassion) and ahimsa (non-violence) had reached millions of people.
Admitting that Budhhism too had different philosophies originating from different schools of thought, he said, “The common message is of love and compassion. Any activity which brings happiness is a positive karma and the one which makes uncomfortable is negative karma.”
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Dalai Lama and other leaders pay tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who inaugurated the seminar, said everyone must work to ensure equal opportunity for all. “Social justice and reservation are today linked to the caste system. It is time both the oppressed and the privileged work together to achieve political and socio-economical equality.”
Veteran Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge remembered Ambedkar as a progressive leader who was not only an exemplary economist and architect of the Indian Constitution who fought for dalit emancipation, but also an expert in varied disciplines. “His involvement in Damodar Valley project and Hirakud dam establishes his expertise in irrigation too. He was a true patriot who fought the upper castes and the British,” said Kharge.
