His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's Visit to IIM Indore

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's Visit to IIM Indore

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama visited IIM Indore on the occasion of the inauguration of the second year of PGP for the class of 2010. Dr. N Ravichandran, Director of IIM Indore, Mr. L N Jhunjhunwala, the chairman of IIM Indore, members of the board of governors, members of faculty, press and the students were present on the occasion of His Holiness' visit to the campus. Mr. L N Jhunjhunwala gave the introductory speech to welcome His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama.

In his introduction of the fourteenth Dalai Lama, Mr. Jhunjhunwala said that His Holiness is an "Avatar of Buddha". This visit of the Dalai Lama is unprecedented and this is a divine visit that happens "once in centuries", quoting Mr. Jhunjhunwala. He went on to describe the current situation of Tibet and its occupation by China. He concluded his introduction by praising the Dalai Lama, in whom he sees Lord Krishna. He said, "The fact that the Dalai Lama can smile in the face of adversity is a sign of divinity. Prabandh Shikhar has been sanctified by his visit today".

The Dalai Lama was welcomed to the dais with a huge roar of applause. He began his address on "Compassion and Non-violence" by talking about the youth of the nation and of the world as a whole. Quoting Him, "Making new shape of this 21st century is largely in the hand of the youth". He said that he sees great potential in India to make a new peaceful and a more compassionate century ahead. He believes that mutual respect is the only way to bring in genuine harmony between all religions of this world.

With his modesty and great sense of humour, His Holiness said that all the talks about his divinity are farce. Quoting him again, "I have no healing power, I am not a divine person, I don't do magic. I am talking to you as a fellow human brother, just trying to convey my message." Strengthen self-challenge, honesty, self-justice and equality was his message to the people present in the gathering. He went on to talk about the importance of truth and trust; he said one should have nothing to hide and should always speak the truth. Trust is one of the most important aspects in this world. Today's Chinese policies are something that is hindering this trust.

He then went on to describe that he is a messenger of an ancient Indian thought - Buddhism. He brings to this world, two messages, the message of love and the message of Ahimsa (non violence) on the level of action and not just preaching. He believes non-violence is an act of compassion. He quoted the Bible saying, as much as one loves God, one should show the same love to one's fellow beings. "Affection is a force binding us all" is what His Holiness had to say.

Talking about compassion, he said that those who lack compassion are self-centered and if one is self centered his/her problem looks like the end of the world. But only if one has compassion will one come to know the holistic view and get to know that theirs is just a small one in all the problems of the world.

He says, "Smiles break all language barriers. It is the humanness in all of us, which enables us to connect with each other."

Advising the current generation, He said that if they practice non-violence and compassion, the next generation will follow the same and a peaceful world order will be created. Talking on the current situation in India He said that India is enjoying a great level of political stability. He sees this stability resulting in greater prosperity. He says, democracy is the solution for the nations and every nation should adopt democracy for development.

Dr. Ravichandran, who concluded the session, summarized the Dalai Lama's message in four folds; we all must learn from the modesty of an extraordinary monk like the Dalai Lama; the manner in which Tibetans have preserved their culture despite all adversities is a lesson to the world; the purpose of life is more important than the final outcome; the only way to lead life is to be fully in line with one's inner self and to exercise compassion and non-violence.

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