Ramdas Athawale, a leading Dalit activist and Indian Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, this week invited His Holiness the Dalai Lama to 'Dhamma Diksha', an international conference on Buddhism to be held in Mumbai on 15 and December 16.
The two-day conference commemorates the life and works of Dr BR Ambedkar, a Dalit jurist and activist who converted to Buddhism in Nagpur on October 14, 1956. Dr Ambedkar had planned to organize a Dhamma Diksha, a grand ceremony initiation for Buddhists. – was due to take place later in the year, but he died on December 6, before the operation could take place.
Suggesting that the Tibetan spiritual leader would attend this year's event, Indian media company NDTV said: "Besides the Dalai Lama, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunawardena, Prime Minister of Thailand Srettha Thavisin, Princess of Bhutan Kesang Wangmo Wangchuk and Buddhist leaders from Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and other countries will also participate in the event. (NDTV)
So far, the event has not been added to the schedule released by the Dalai Lama, which indicates that he will give day-long teachings in Gangtok, Sikkim, and Saugara, West Bengal, respectively on December 12 and 14.
Earlier in the week, the Dalai Lama issued a message to promote non-violence and compassion around the world as conflicts dominated headlines on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration human rights.
“The declaration affirms that all human beings have the right to be free from want and fear. These human rights are inclusive, interdependent and universal,” he said, expressing optimism that people today are increasingly aware of the value of human rights . (Central Tibetan Administration)
The Dalai Lama expressed his wish to see more people choose non-violent means to resolve conflicts, particularly through dialogue: "We need effective international action to address global problems from the perspective of unity of humanity and a deep understanding of humanity. deeply interconnected nature of our world. (Central Tibetan Administration)
He referenced Buddhist teachings on loving-kindness as a practice for breaking down sharp divisions between “us” and “them.” Above all, he urged people to avoid distinctions based on political or religious differences and highlighted the economic roots of social discord, ill health and violence, emphasizing that the gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots » was a major problem.
“The aspiration for democracy and respect for fundamental human rights is as important for the people of Africa and Asia as for those of Europe or the Americas,” His Holiness said. (Central Tibetan Administration)
Dr. Ambedkar, who holds a doctorate in economics from Columbia University, New York and the London School of Economics, had a number of projects aimed at benefiting the people of India through economic means. Dr. Ambedkar had seriously considered Marxism as a possible path for India before later rejecting it and adopting Buddhism.
Français
Français
English