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
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