On 26th July 2023, His Holiness the DalaiLama visited the Tibetan Children's Village in Leh, Ladakh, India.

Joyful welcome and meaningful discussions on preserving Tibetan traditions and promoting harmony among different beliefs.

His Holiness declared that the emphasis on logic and reason in the Tibetan tradition is one of the aspects that makes it attractive to modern scientists. Growing numbers of them are showing interest in what it has to say about psychology and the workings of mind and emotions. He reiterated that Tibetans examine what the Buddha taught in the light of reason and then seek to integrate what they learn within themselves.

“As a monk and a follower of the Buddha, I try to share what Buddhism has to teach with whoever may be interested, not so much as a religious practice but more as an exchange of knowledge. I am convinced that the traditions that flourished in Tibet stand the test of logic and reasoning and include knowledge and understanding that we can apply in our own lives.

“Study is important. In the past study was the province of monastics, but today, as general education has improved, lay people, young and old, can also engage in study. In schools we used to have Religious Teachers, now we have Philosophy Teachers. They explain the Buddha’s teachings in ways that allow us to rely on them to achieve peace of mind.

“The practice of Buddhism isn’t concerned with building temples or even reciting prayers and mantras. It’s about cultivating compassion for all beings, focussed on helping them however we can. I urge you young people to pay attention to this. Experienced masters of the past have passed these traditions down to us. We have a responsibility to keep them alive and to share them with others.

“The Tibetan language is important because it is the most accurate medium for explaining Buddhist philosophical ideas. Of course, in the past we didn’t have vocabulary that would allow us to discuss modern science, but we are developing it in order to enrich our understanding.