Interfaith Meet


Interfaith Meet held at Ramakrishna Mission, Delhi

1) Concept of Ultimate Reality
Our mind when trapped in defilements is samsara. Whereas, when cleansed of the defilements, the same mind is released in Nirvana. The release or the freedom of this mind happens through cultivating the wisdom which sees the ultimate reality of the mind itself. What defiles the mind is negative emotions which in turn are rooted to ignorance. Further more, in a strict sense, even nirvana is explained in the context of the ultimate reality of the mind itself. The ultimate reality of the mind is to be understood as the profound emptiness aspect of true existence of the mind.

2) Ultimate Goal of Life
H.H. the Dalai Lama beautifully responds to the same question by saying that everyone of us lives on hopes and we hope for happiness. Therefore the goal of life is genuine happiness. The true seed of happiness is within each one of us which is known as TathagataGarbha (the Buddha-nature). The treasure-like Buddha-nature, which remains hidden within us due to the mental defilements, can be unfolded and invoked fully through the wisdom which realizes the ultimate reality when tempered and imbued with the spirit of infinite compassion.

3) Idea of Life after death
The fabric of samsara and nirvana is law of karma. The latter is accountable on the basis of the concept of life after death. While this concept is quite challenging either to be proved or disapproved, AcharyaDharmakirti (8th Cent. AD) Indian Buddhist master explained this phenomena through pure logic and reasoning in his writing “Pramanavartika.” The consciousness which is a part of the self, though impermanence, has its continuum on the basis of which the self which is designated on it can be accounted for to travel from one life to the other.

4) The place of women in ones religion
Buddhism recognizes the sameness of the potential for enlightenment – Buddha nature - exiting in all, irrespective of what gender – male or female. It is on this ground that the Buddha gave the highest ordination to the males and females equally. Bodhisattva vows as well are equally given to both the genders. In Buddhist tantra, there is a special reference made that disparaging females is a major infraction of tantric vows. Whereas such a reference is not made in relation to males.

5) Attitude towards other faiths and their followers
Buddhism believes that all beings including the tiny insects, let alone the human beings, have the finest of the potential to be perfect in the form of Buddha-nature. This potential can be activated fully only through cultivating very intense universal compassion along with the wisdom of ultimate reality. The universal compassion underscores the need for one to respect and be compassionate towards everyone including those from other faiths. Add to it, The Buddha is revered for his special quality of benefiting all the beings rightly in accordance with their varied temperaments and predispositions. This made Him teach the four contradictory philosophies. Given that He did not teach these contradictory views either out of his own confusion or to create more confusion in the beings, it is a clear indication that he respects the diversity of the views. We can wisely extend the same rationality to the other faiths as well.
H.H. the Dalai Lama, wherever he travels - to the West and East, admits himself as a messenger of Indian thoughts – ahimsa and religious tolerance. All religions came into being with the intention to bring greater happiness to the world. With this underlying intention present in all the faiths, it makes the greatest sense to be in harmony among themselves.

Geshe Dorji Damdul
September 10, 2011

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