An audience with the Dalai Lama
Santosh Kr. Singh

365 Dalai Lama: Daily Advice from the Heart
by the Dalai Lama. HarperCollins India. Pages 372. Rs 395.

IN a world full of violence, hatred, bloodshed and threat of mutual destruction, finding a voice that abhors ‘an-eye-for-an-eye’ theory of conflict resolution is a difficult proposition. It becomes even more difficult when such a voice represents minority opinion in the face of sheer enormity and pervasiveness of the language of violence.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the temporal and spiritual head of the Tibetan people, stands as beacon of hope and optimism in this age of despair and anarchy. The book encapsulates the Dalai Lama’s understanding of the ills which have been afflicting humanity at large, and his prescriptions for a sane world. For the Dalai Lama, collectivity is the extension of the ‘individual.’ Therefore, a substantial portion of the book contains his discourses and teachings on issues pertaining to an individual.

The book begins with his deliberations on the inevitability of birth and death as part of the natural process and how, like life, death is also a moment of celebration and emancipation. Death, according to the Dalai Lama, would not create panic if it is regarded as something that gives as much joy as youth. There should be a constant effort to make life more and more meaningful and "true meaning to life can be bestowed only by cultivating love and compassion." Good times and bad times are part and parcel of human life, but equanimity is what distinguishes human beings from animals. Chapters on unhappiness, pessimism, fear, anger, desire, jealousy, pride and sufferings underline the importance of resolution of conflict and contradiction within, for internal contentment is mandatory to attain peace and tranquility.

His Holiness is concerned with the growing trend of ‘individualism’ and ‘utilitarianism’ in society. Apathy, indifference and insensitivity towards others underline the relationships. Fanaticism overshadows the fundamental tenets of love and compassion. All this, the Dalai Lama believes, is because human beings have detached themselves from their natural moorings. Universal tenets of humanity have been lost amidst clashes between civilisations for material growth.

Dalai Lama’s prescriptions for a better world are simple, easy to assimilate and practical. His teachings emphasise the need for universal brotherhood and compassion even for opponents. As he writes: "peace in the world depends on peace of mind and peace of mind depends on an awareness that all human beings are members of a single family, despite the variety of beliefs, ideologies, and political and economic system. These are mere details compared to what brings us together."

The book also includes Dalai Lama’s opinions on various issues such as death penalty, suicide, abortion and homosexuality. His opinions are distinctly shaped by the ‘middle-path’ ideology of the Buddhists. He does not see anything sinful in being rich as long as the rich are socially responsible. He criticises militarisation of borders and huge military expenditure by poor countries at the cost of its people. He, however, does not dismiss the relevance of a "multinational force that would intervene when certain elements were threatening the peace of a particular region."

The reading of this book is a meditative experience. It is like having an audience with the Dalai Lama where he could offer you personal advice on how you could live your life better, be more joyful and create a more humane world. A rich body of knowledge and wisdom has been presented in a most lucid manner, the simplicity of which creates an impact that is both extraordinary and magical.

HOME