The Dalai Lama on Happiness

Launch of Happiness Curriculum for Delhi Schools

New Delhi, India - To start the day, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave an interview to Adriaan van Dis for Dutch television in connection with his prospective visit to the Netherlands in September. Van Dis opened by asking if His Holiness is ever angry and he told him that occasionally he is, but it doesn’t last. They talked about other people who may be angry and the gap between rich and poor. His Holiness remarked that historically the wealthy upper classes have exploited the poor, who, even when they enjoy equal rights, find it difficult to build self-confidence.

Van Dis mentioned the anger expressed by young Tibetan writers he’s read. His Holiness explained that Tibet is not only physically occupied, but also that hardliners among Chinese officials view any distinguishing Tibetan quality, such as Tibetan culture and language, as an expression of separatism. Consequently, study of Buddhism and Tibetan is restricted.

“There are also some who are angry with me because since 1974 I haven’t campaigned for independence. In terms of physical development we can benefit from remaining with the People’s Republic of China, but we must be able to preserve our language and culture and protect the natural environment of our homeland. This last point is not only a matter of interest to Tibetans since Asia’s major rivers rise on the Tibetan plateau and more than a billion people depend on their waters.”

The conversation turned to scientific interest in the mind and the brain.

“We have two kinds of emotion,” His Holiness explained, “those that are destructive, like anger and jealousy, which destroy our peace of mind and damage our health. But we also have other constructive emotions, like compassion, that bring us inner strength.”

Asked how we get rid of negative emotions, His Holiness replied, “Analyse them. Develop a general understanding of our system of emotions, how self-centredness and anxiety give rise to anger, for example. People need a better understanding of how things really are, the role of mental projection and the need for secular ethics.”

In connection with his own reincarnation His Holiness conceded that there have been no recognised reincarnations of the Buddha or Nagarjuna. He suggested that in some cases the system is enmeshed in feudal practices in which a Lama’s attendants are more concerned with their continuing to enjoy his property and privilege. He reiterated that as early as 1969 he made it clear that whether or not there is a 15th Dalai Lama will depend on the Tibetan people. He noted that there will be a meeting of Tibetan religious leaders to discuss the question again towards the end of the year. He pointed out that one option that has been followed in some cases is for a candidate for successor to be nominated before the predecessor has died. His Holiness also expressed approval of the way a Pope is elected from among qualified individuals.

Recommending how to create a better world, His Holiness declared that a key factor was a more general recognition of the oneness of humanity—understanding that the 7 billion human beings alive today really are brothers and sisters.

A short drive across South Delhi brought His Holiness to the Tyagaraj Stadium where more than 5000 principals and teachers from Delhi’s public schools awaited the launch of a newly configured ‘Happiness Curriculum’. He was welcomed by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and escorted into the building, where they were soon joined by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Warm applause greeted all of them when they entered the hall and took to the stage.

Once brief introductions had been made, His Holiness and his hosts were requested to light a traditional lamp indicative of the way the light of wisdom overcomes the darkness of ignorance. A group of music teachers sang a welcome song they had composed themselves and students presented potted plants to each of the dignitaries.

In his address, Mr Sisodia thanked His Holiness for the inspiration to draw up the ‘Happiness Curriculum’. He said that after improving infrastructure and curtailing the clerical work expected of teachers, he and his colleagues had wanted to ensure better education by helping students to be happier. He cited His Holiness’s advice that India is uniquely placed to combine modern education with ancient knowledge of how to tackle negative emotions. The new ‘Happiness Curriculum’ will involve periods of meditation, mindfulness and training in universal human values. He told His Holiness that teachers were excited to be able to listen to what he had to say. He mentioned one teacher who today decided to come to listen to him rather than sit an exam required for promotion.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal criticized the system of education left by the British as just preparation for the passing of exams. He said that what he wanted to do was to educate students so they would be capable of taking the country forward. On that basis, he added, the Delhi Government has doubled the education budget.

He described the new curriculum as a firm step towards shaping better, happier  human beings with improved values.

Mr Kejriwal declared that there was no better person to inaugurate the ‘Happiness Curriculum’ than His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He thanked him personally for accepting the Delhi Government’s invitation. He, Sisodia and His Holiness each unwrapped a packet given to them and formally released the books related to the project.

Objectives of the new program include developing self-awareness and mindfulness in students; inculcating critical thinking; enhancing communications skills; encouraging greater empathy with others; helping students learn to deal with stress; and developing a greater sense of social awareness and human values.

In response to requests to speak, His Holiness approached the podium and began by greeting all present. “My dear respected friends the Delhi Chief Minister and his Deputy, elder brothers and sisters, as well as younger brothers and sisters, I feel this is a really meaningful occasion. I appreciate the efforts you have made and I am truly honoured that you invited me to come today. I’m convinced that it is possible to combine what’s good in modern education with ancient Indian knowledge.

“I myself am a student of ancient Indian thought. In the 8th century, despite longstanding relations with the Chinese, the Tibetan Emperor chose to develop Tibetan writing on the basis of the Indian Devanagari script. He also chose to invite qualified teachers of Buddhism from India---Shantarakshita, a pure monk, a great scholar, a philosopher and logician and his student Kamalashila came from Nalanda and established Buddhism in Tibet. These masters’ approach to study was characterized by scepticism and the use of reason. It’s a system involving 30 years of study.

“I learned to study this way too and, although I was lazy and reluctant when I was young, later I came to appreciate how useful it is. One Tibetan scholar mentioned that although it was known as the Land of Snow, until the light of knowledge came from India, Tibet was dark.

“We Tibetans think of ourselves not only as chelas or disciples of Indian gurus, but as reliable chelas because we have kept what we learned alive for more than 1000 years.

“I’ve observed that many of the problems we face are our own creation. We are afflicted by anger, hatred, jealousy and suspicion and yet modern education has little to offer in terms of achieving peace of mind. It is oriented towards material goals. Wherever I go I draw attention to the inadequacy of modern education and its failure to foster inner values. I point out that just we teach about physical hygiene, we also need to cultivate emotional hygiene, since as well as being physically fit, we need to be mentally fit too.

“The ancient Indian practices for cultivating a calmly abiding mind (shamatha) and insight (vipashyana) gave rise to a deep and subtle understanding of the workings of the mind. In addition, ancient Indian knowledge encouraged compassion and non-violence (karuna and ahimsa). These are the basis of India’s remarkable sense of religious pluralism, with many religious traditions living together in harmony—demonstrating vividly that it is possible to do so.

“The purpose of our lives is to be happy. We constantly live in hope. Pleasure based on sensory experience is short-lived, whereas the ultimate source of lasting happiness is in the mind.

“Although accounts of this and ways to tackle our destructive emotions are laid out in Buddhist texts, there is no reason why we can’t extract that knowledge and examine it in a secular academic way. Methods for tackling our destructive emotions are very relevant in today’s world. They don’t involve temples, rituals or prayers, but a rational education on a secular basis.

“Once this country has developed a more integrated education system, incorporating what is best from modern and ancient sources, I believe China will take an interest too. This could involve more than 2.5 billion people and have a far-reaching impact across the world. In this context the efforts you are making here in India’s capital take on greater significance.”

In his replies to questions from the audience His Holiness agreed that being well-off does not guarantee you’ll be happy. He mentioned an American Vice-Chancellor who was well paid and had a good reputation and yet stress and anxiety left him unhappy. By way of contrast His Holiness mentioned a Christian monk he met in Spain who had spent five years in seclusion as a hermit meditating on love. He had only the most basic facilities and yet the sparkle in his eyes revealed his experience of genuine happiness.

Finally, asked what enlightenment is and how to achieve it, His Holiness clarified that it is accomplished less by prayer than by training the mind. By study and contemplation day by day it’s possible to overcome ignorance. Combining that with altruism, it’s possible to make a start on the path to enlightenment.

As the event came to a close, His Holiness was presented with a portrait executed by an art teacher. He offered auspicious emblems and white scarves to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. Following a vote of thanks by the Education Secretary, everyone stood for the national anthem. His Holiness then enjoyed lunch with the Chief Minister and members of his cabinet, after which Chief Minister Kejriwal and Dy CM Sisodia walked with him to his car to see him off.

original link & photos: https://www.dalailama.com/news/2018/launch-of-happiness-curriculum-for-delhi-schools

Dalai Lama Meets with the Media & a Visit to University of Vilnius

Meeting with the Media and a Visit to University of Vilnius

Vilnius, Lithuania - In his first engagement of the day, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave an exclusive interview to the lrytas.tv channel, during which three young children had the opportunity to ask him a question.

Asked how you can be sure you’ve made the right decision about something, His Holiness replied:

“Life is quite complicated. But I use my brain—the human brain has great potential. However, we should not allow our negative emotions to interfere. We should analyze things objectively, examining them from different angles. If you do that, whatever you do will be realistic. We have to use our human intelligence. Then as our self-confidence grows it brings inner strength. “

In the packed lobby of the hotel, more than 60 people gathered to attend His Holiness’s interaction with members of the media.

In answer to a question about the goals of education, His Holiness explained:

“I consider myself one of the 7 billion human beings. We are mentally, emotionally and physically the same. What’s more, scientists now say they have evidence that our basic human nature is compassionate. That’s a cause for hope. We can see the truth of it in our day to day experience. When our minds are more compassionate, we feel mentally happier and physically well. If we’re constantly angry or afraid, it has the effect of undermining our immune system.

“Everybody wants to be happy—and no one wants to suffer. Yet the majority of the problems we face are of our own making. Therefore, we have to think this through more carefully. When we are young we are generally appreciative of love and affection, but as we grow older we tend to discriminate between ‘us’ and ‘them’.

“The modern education system is very much oriented towards material goals, with little time for inner values. I suggest that just as we observe physical hygiene to maintain our physical health, we also need to cultivate a sense of emotional hygiene to keep our peace of mind. We need to incorporate training about this into our general education.”

Invited to comment on the relative roles of men and women, His Holiness explained how historically, when the criterion for leadership was physical strength, men naturally became leaders. Now, however, education has overcome such distinctions and across the world there is a greater regard for equal rights among women and men. He remarked that where old ways of thinking discriminate against women, we should oppose them. He added that since scientists have shown that many women are more sensitive to others’ pain, they have a special role to play in promoting compassion and human values.

His Holiness was greeted at the University of Vilnius, by an enthusiastic crowd of more than 2000 people. After a short introduction by Prof. Vytis Vidunas, Director of the House of Tibet, His Holiness began his talk.

"No one among the 7 billion human beings alive today wants suffering. Nevertheless, despite all major religions teaching about love and tolerance, because we focus only on our own interests, exploiting and cheating others without concern, we create problems for ourselves.

"The 20th century was a period of immense violence because of the tendency to ry to solve problems by use of force. In the interdependent world in which we live today, this way of thinking is completely out of date. On the basis of the oneness of humanity, we need instead to cultivate a sense of global responsibility."

His Holiness declared that if we are to make the 21st century an era of peace, we have to find ways to reduce the arms trade and eliminate nuclear weapons. He remarked that in the short term the power of the gun may seem stronger, but in the long term, as smaller nations like Lithuania have proved, what is stronger is the power of truth.

His Holiness explained that promotion of a more peaceful world on the basis of the human values of loving kindness and compassion is his primary commitment. Next, he is committed to the promotion of inter-religious harmony. He pointed out that in India people of different faiths and points of view have lived together in peace for more than 3000 years. Now, when the population has grown to over a billion, although occasional problems arise, religious harmony continues to flourish, demonstrating to the world that it is possible.

As a Tibetan His Holiness is committed to the preservation of Tibetan culture and the Tibetan language in which it is expressed. He is also deeply concerned for Tibet's ecology, bearing in mind that more than a billion people across Asia depend on the rivers that rise in Tibet for water.

Finally, His Holiness mentioned that he is committed to the revival of ancient Indian knowledge, especially the Nalanda Tradition that was introduced to Tibet in the 7th and 8th centuries. It is his conviction that the view of reality and understanding of the workings of the mind and emotions that it entails remain relevant and of potential benefit in this day and age when the world is caught in emotional crisis.

Answering questions from the audience His Holiness explained that in today's world there is a need for deeper spiritual values based on scientific findings and common sense. He urged the members of the audience to think about what they had heard and investigate what he had said.

From the University His Holiness drove to Tibet Square where he planted a sapling to symbolize friendship between Lithuania and Tibet in the Centenary Year of Lithuanian Independence. He then walked along a nearby canal to see an exhibition of photographs of Tibet by the late Lithuanian writer Jurga Ivanauskaite who wrote several books on the Land of Snows.

His Holiness had lunch with the former Mayor of Vilnius, Mr. Arturas Zuokas, and invited guests before returning to his hotel.

original link & photos: https://www.dalailama.com/news/2018/meeting-with-the-media-and-a-visit-to-university-of-vilnius

Made in God’s Image and Likeness: Meaning & Implications

Made in God’s Image and Likeness: Meaning and Implications

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

26 Then God said, “Let us make manh in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27) This is an astonishing text in which the trinitarian God purposes to make a different kind of being than had been created thus far—one that would image Him. Not be Him, but be His image and likeness.

Who are we and what are we? Why questions, as opposed to how questions, have haunted the landscape of my heart and brain ever since I can remember. What is our identity? God answers that for us, very clearly. Since we are made in God’s image, then we cannot know who we are or what we are without knowing who/what God is first. That is one reason why we looked at Him first in our study. As Calvin noted in the first pages of the Institutes—the knowledge of God and of ourselves are inextricably connected at a thousand different points.

There is a crisis today in our culture re purpose and identity. Think about: ask the average person on the street what they would say if you asked the purpose of life, and who they are? If we jettison the living God, then it comes at a very high price; human dignity and purpose. So our country is becoming increasingly barbarous—slaughtering the unborn.

Perhaps the hardest book I ever read was Jean-Paul Sartre’s book ‘Being and Nothingness.” In it he stated that existence precedes essence. Think about that term for a moment…..(you, me, chair, all facts are brute meaningless facts—non-interpreted). We are meaningless. All facts are meaningless intrinsically—until we choose, in act of courage, to give them meaning or essence. In other words, there is nothing outside of us to give essence or meaning to our lives. On the other hand you have the other existentialist Albert Camus asserting that the only question remaining is should we commit suicide? So, the credo of the secular humanist or pagan is this: I originated in meaninglessness and am destined for meaninglessness, but in-between these 2 poles of meaninglessness, my life it is magically imbued with essence or meaning. Talk about leap of faith, and absurd. That is the sad situation of modern man. If we are but cosmic accidents, personal warts on the face of an impersonal universe, then our origin and destiny are equally insignificant. No basis for human dignity or worth. The 20th century is a murderous testimony to the inevitable fruit of that kind of thinking: man is the measure of all things. We have become zeros-less than zeroes.

Our origin, destiny and meaning are tied to God. He declares that we have essence or meaning-value and dignity. God alone has intrinsic dignity and value, but He has assigned us extrinsic value and dignity; we are made in His image. What does that mean?

Some have suggested (some RC theologians) that image and likeness refer to different things but the structure of the Hebrew indicates that they are synonymous, and the bible uses them often interchangeably. What does imago dei mean? Tons of ink has been spilt over this issue!

The short answer, but I think still profound, of what it means to be made in God’s image is that we image Him! Isn’t that what images do? Images express likeness to something or someone else—it mirrors or expresses what the original is like. 100 yards away from my apartment is a national Military Park commemorating the battle of Guilford Courthouse, and especially General Greene, whom our city of Greensboro was named after. Greene was Washingtons brilliant leader of southern campaign of revolutionary War. Ever since I was a kid we used to go see this enormous image of him on horseback—still there. This image of Greene is meant to portray or represent Greene…his dignity and honor and brilliance a military strategist. Images of all kinds of people that are important are all over the place.

So, as God’s image we are to image Him to the world. We were created with that express intent or purpose—at heart of our humanness and identity/purpose. We are to mirror to the world what God is like—His holiness and love. Walking and talking images, and in our behavior and words we are to express His character to all the rest of His creation. So that we adorn the gospel—people look at us and can say: that is what God is like. We mirror to the animals, the angels, other people-- God.

We do not exist for ourselves but for God—and He designed us with unique and incredible dignity.

Since we are Gods image bearers may be one reason for second commandment—there is already one image of Him, and that is us, and to be only us—which shows our dignity!

Be more specific: We are like Him in some ways or analogous. Though He is Creator and we are creatures, we alone are made in His image. God is holy, creative, rational, communicative, gregarious (relational), a will. We are to mirror to the world His holiness, for example. Likewise, though we cannot create from nothing, as His image bearers we can create beauty—whether in home, garden, or on canvas, we mirror Gods creativity when we create and this pleases Him.. All the traits I mentioned we share with Him which make up our image bearing.

In a word, God is personal—Infinite/Personal God. We may not be able to verbally express what person is, but we know instinctively what a person or personality is. And we are finite/personal….infinite/personal.

Immediately after the verses describing our being made in God’s image we are said to be His under-shepherds in ruling and caring for this earth. We are to reflect God’s righteous rule over the cosmos in how we build culture. That is crucial aspect of our image-of-Godness.

This view of the image of God is contrary to a platonic view of spirituality that is common in bible believing churches in which there is a spiritual compartment and a non-spiritual compartment. Plato taught that the soul was all that counted and the body was the prison house of the soul. Matter was inferior to spirit. We must resist this super spirituality, platonic tendencies which dehumanizes the whole man. But true spirituality sees Christ as King and Lord over the totality of life: the arts, government, academics, every day life. It also means that of all people, Christians should be the most sensitive to environmental issues; the most excited about the humanities and sciences. Knowing that we do have dominion over it as the secular environemntlaists deny, we are still to not recklessly rape Gods good earth in advancing culture.

That we shall live forever is perhaps another way we image God, though he alone is immortal. Our soul is not intrinsally immortal as Plato taught—we live forever only bc God decreed so. Our soul is not made of intrinsically immortal stuff.

Notice that it is the intra trinitarian communication in which we are discussed as being made in “our” image. So, as a communicative triune God, what we say, and how say it, is a salient aspect of our image of Godness. Language and the ability to communicate is an expression of it.

Like God, we are rational, creative, communicators, have spiritual side—so our image of Godness is rich. Some have also suggested that since were created with bodies and will have bodies forever, then they in some sense reflect God’s image as well—though God is spiritual…but the glorified Incarnate Christ has body. Fearfully and wonderfully made—images God’s wisdom in our bodies.

Note too, that the male and female comprise God’s image—we need both to complete this image. This further enriches the beauty and multi-faceted nature of God’s image.

We are told that God Himself brought Eve to Adam and in the garden chapel it was like the Father walked his daughter down the holy aisle to join hands with her husband. Marriage officiated by God Himself.

Last segment we talked about the consequences of the Fall, in which ghastly things happened. The image of God in us was severely tarnished. Our ability to mirror God’s holiness has been greatly affected; our hearts, minds, and wills have all been adversely affected. The mirror is fogged.

I had mentioned that the Fall has much explanatory power re the world and ourselves. A powerful example is how the Creation, image of God, and the Fall alone can adequately explain the paradox of mankind; the simultaneous Majesty and misery of mankind. The history of the world bears this out over and over: breathtaking expressions of our singular nobility/potential for such beauty on every level, including relationally. At the same time, we are capable of the most horrendous inhumanity to man..or on every day level, just our pettiness and selfishness. We are a study in contrasts: majesty and misery!! When we say the bible is true we mean that not just in spiritual matters but it alone expresses and explains the complexities of the world we live in-including ourselves. The bible is really true.

Note that biblically, though we are the pinnacle of creation, we are not the goal of creation. The last and most sacred day is the 7th day which focuses on God. The sixth day is penultimate, but the ultimate day is the seventh. Perhaps that explains, at least in part, the meaning of 666. It elevates part of creation/man as the ultimate, raised to third power, which in Jewish thought is highest way of accenting something. Holy, holy, holy…God is dethroned in this antichrist scheme and mankind is elevated as the measure of all things. Imaging not God but Satan. I think that is the essence of 666 perhaps. And some person will come that personifies this satanic scheme. But we must remember we don’t exist for ourselves but to mirror God.

There are 2 extremes regarding the results of the fall and the image of God in us: some virtually deny that it affected us at all (like modern day Pelagians or paganism), and others say that the image was totally destroyed. We shall deal the first error in depth later, but re the latter the bible is clear that we are still made in His image—Gen. 9:6; 1 Cor. 11:7; James 3:9
6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man,
by man shall his blood be shed,
for God made man in his own image. (Gen. 9:6)
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. (James 3:17)
We are still humans, and the goal of redemption is to restore our true humanity—in all its earthy, lovely splendor.The goal of salvation is degree by degree restore God’s image in us.

The restoration of the fullness of the image of God in us is being accomplished by Christ. He is as Hebrews 1:3 says :”the brightness of His glory and the express image of His Person.”

Sanctiifcation is the restoration of our true humanness; as His image in all its rich fullness is restored degree by degree.

1. God created human beings—both male and female—in His image and likeness
2. There is some analogy between God and mankind that makes communication between them possible
3. Human beings, like God, are moral agents with the faculties of mind and will and creativity.
4. Humans are called to have dominion over the earth-subdue and build culture but not rape it.
5. In the fall, the image of God in us was marred
6. Christ is the perfect image of God, and he is restoring us to the fullness of the image of God.

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.

Dalai Lama Meets with Tibet Supporters & Public Talk in Vilnius

Meeting with Tibet Supporters and Public Talk in Vilnius

Vilnius, Lithuania - Meeting with members of the Lithuanian Parliamentary Group for Tibet and Tibet supporters this morning His Holiness the Dalai Lama told them:

"We’ve been passing through a difficult period with extensive human rights violations in Tibet, but my main concern is for the preservation of Tibet's unique cultural heritage. This is rooted in the ancient Indian understanding of the workings of the mind, on the basis of which we can achieve peace of mind and tackle our destructive emotions. This is something that is very much relevant today.

“We appreciate the support of friends like you. The people in Tibet’s spirit remains strong and when you show concern it not only gives them courage, it also sends a clear message to Chinese hardliners that the Tibetan issue has to be dealt with in a realistic way. Therefore, I would like to thank you on behalf of the six million Tibetans."

Answering a question about different kinds of maps, His Holiness remarked:

"Political boundaries are the creation of bureaucrats, which may or may not reflect cultural boundaries. Historically the Chinese empire was characterized by political power, the Mongolian empire by its military prowess and the Tibetan empire by its spiritual strength. There was a brief period when Mongolia dominated both Tibet and China by military means. On the other hand, Tibet’s preoccupation with spiritual affairs meant that its influence extended to what is now, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Iran in the west, to much of China in the east, to Mongolia in the north and the Himalayan Region and the border with Burma in the south. Therefore, a map reflecting the extent of Tibetan Buddhist culture would be much larger than a political map of Tibet.”

While posing for photographs with people holding Tibetan flags, His Holiness told them a story.

“When I was in Beijing in 1954-55 I met Chairman Mao several times. We developed a close relationship—he was very kind to me, almost like a father to his son. On one occasion he asked if we Tibetans had a national flag. Somewhat hesitantly I answered, “Yes”. He approved and told me we should fly it alongside the Red Flag. So if anyone criticizes you for displaying this flag, you can tell them the Dalai Lama was given permission to do so by Chairman Mao himself. “

Meeting with Prof Vytautas Landsbergis, who became President of Lithuania when it achieved independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, His Holiness recalled, "How happy I was when you invited me here in 1991. I was so moved and impressed by the people’s joy, enthusiasm and determination. It was an honour to be here among you."

At the Siemens Arena His Holiness was introduced to the crowd of more than 2500 by the Mayor of Vilnius, Remigijus Šimašius. As he presented the Mayor with a traditional white scarf, His Holiness explained what it meant.

"The colour white represents warm-heartedness, truthfulness and honesty. The smooth texture of the scarf represents non-violent conduct—trying to help others whenever you can and refraining from harming them. At the end here, written in Tibetan, it says ‘May whoever is given this be happy night and day’. This kind of gift was first offered in India and has been adopted in Tibet. Since the silk the scarf is made of originated in China, the gift reflects a sense of harmony between India, Tibet and China."

Addressing the crowd as brothers and sisters, His Holiness continued, “If we really thought of the rest of humanity as our brothers and sisters there’d be no room for bullying and cheating each other. Thinking of ourselves as somehow special only leads to loneliness, because the reality is that every human being's future depends on other human beings. Of course it’s natural to want to look after your own interests, but you have to do so in a wise rather than a foolish way. That means taking others into account and considering their concerns as well as your own. If the people around you are happy, obviously you’ll be happy too."

When a member of the audience asked how to reconcile traditional and modern teaching methods His Holiness suggested that to start with it’s important for parents to show their children maximum affection. In schools it is a teacher’s responsibility to take an affectionate interest in their students well-being as well as providing them with instruction. For example, she or he might explain how anger disrupts our peace of mind, while compassion sets the mind at ease and fosters good health.

“My first teacher of compassion was my mother. As part of my Buddhist training I read a great deal about the qualities of altruism, but she was the first person to demonstrate it in practice."

At the end of his talk His Holiness thanked the audience for their interest and for staying awake. He urged them to think about what he had said.

"No matter what work you do, if we each make the effort, we can create a more peaceful world. I also believe that smaller nations like the Baltic States are sometimes freer to be creative and take a lead in this process in international affairs.”

Tomorrow, His Holiness will travel to Riga, Latvia, where he is to teach Tsongkhapa’s ‘In Praise of Dependent Origination’ and the ‘Diamond Cutter Sutra’, as well as giving Manjushri permission.

original link & photos: https://www.dalailama.com/news/2018/meeting-with-tibet-supporters-and-public-talk-in-vilnius

Dalai Lama: Meeting Visitors from India & Abroad

Meeting Visitors to Dharamsala from India and Abroad

Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - Following three days of teachings for young Tibetans, His Holiness the Dalai Lama met this morning with an estimated 1200 people in the yard of the Main Tibetan Temple adjacent to his residence. There were about 1000 visitors from India and abroad, as well as 200 Tibetans. He first posed for photographs with smaller groups of people arranged by geographical location before sitting down on a chair beneath the temple.

His Holiness observed to begin with that since he had just taught for three days and many of those sitting before him had probably attended he had little to say. Nevertheless, he made some remarks before inviting questions from the audience.

“The Nalanda Tradition, of which Tibetan Buddhism is very much part, made thorough use of logic and reason. This involves investigating what the Buddha said and why he said it. The result of such investigation is a clearer and firmer understanding. As a result of their examination of the records of Buddha’s teaching Nalanda masters like Nagarjuna and Chandrakirti declared that some of them could not be accepted literally because they contradicted reason.

“Following the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet in the 8th century by the great philosopher and logician Shantarakshita we Tibetans adopted a similarly rigorous approach. Since Tibetan is probably the classical language closest to Sanskrit it remains the most accurate means available to us today for expressing Buddhist ideas. Although the Nalanda Tradition has been somewhat neglected in India, it was kept alive in Tibet.”

The first question from the audience concerned psychology and how it can be combined with Buddhist methods for cultivating compassion. His Holiness replied that ancient India knowledge of the workings of the mind and emotions is rich and deep. He reaffirmed that he is trying to revive appreciation of it because in India it has fallen into neglect. He recommended reading Akya Yongzin’s ‘Compendium of the Ways of Knowing’.

Another questioner asked how to strengthen equality and His Holiness reported that scientists assert that basic human nature is compassionate and this seems to be borne out by the way children respond. So long as their companions smile and behave in a friendly way they don’t seem to care about what their nationality, race or family faith may be.

“As we grow up and pursue our education,” he suggested, “we learn to disregard our basic human values. Instead we pay disproportionate attention to secondary differences, which here in India includes caste distinctions and whether people are rich or poor. These observations give rise to a lot of problems, especially in light of the fact that essentially human beings are physically, mentally and emotionally the same. At the same time I have great admiration for the way India still manages to find unity in diversity. What’s more, compared to her several neighbours, India is remarkably stable.

“Likewise I have great respect for the way leading members of the European Union, France and Germany for example, decided that the common interest was more important than national sovereignty. Where they had long been historical enemies, attitudes have completely changed and peace has prevailed among the members of the EU for 70 years.”

His Holiness mentioned that modern education has little time for what he refers to as inner values, nor for explanations of the workings of the mind and emotions. He noted that just as we observe physical hygiene to preserve our health, we also need to cultivate emotional hygiene to maintain our peace of mind. He remarked that if our lives were filled with anger we’d find it difficult to survive.

“Through education and training we can extend our basic human nature. This brings self-confidence, which is important and allows us to be more transparent, leading to trust, which is the foundation of firm friendship. It’s true to say that loving kindness is of value right from birth up to the time of our death.”

Asked how to reconcile science and religion, His Holiness referred to Indian sources that focus on the gap between appearance and reality. To understand reality requires investigation not just acceptance of things the way they appear. The self, which may appear to exist independently, is described in the Buddhist view as merely designated on the basis of body and mind.

An eight year old girl asked His Holiness what advice he would have had for himself when he was her age. He told her he had been a naughty boy with no interest in studying. All he wanted to do was play and run here and there. He’d been such a tearaway that his tutor was shocked to see his shoes in tatters. He conceded that he later came to appreciate the value of studying and applied himself to it.

“I belong to the generation of the 20th century,” he said, “and my time is gone, but we’re still near the beginning of the 21st century when we can think seriously about whether we want to repeat what went before in terms of people suffering and dying of violence. There is still time to follow the Indian traditions of karuna and ahimsa, a compassionate motivation expressed in non-violent conduct.”

A young man who is undertaking a meditation course asked about vegetarianism in the context of the avowed Buddhist prayer for the welfare of all sentient beings. His Holiness first pointed out that although Tibetans sincerely make such prayers, when they were in Tibet there were few vegetables and little non-vegetarian food. However, living in exile in India they had many other options. He explained that the main kitchens of the great re-established monasteries prepared only vegetarian food. At the same time efforts had been made to avoid poultry and pig farming in Tibetan settlements.

Then, His Holiness changed the direction of the conversation.

“We also have to make an effort to reduce the trade in weapons. We need to create a demilitarized world. Some problems may be solved by the use of force, but in general it just perpetuates problems. Violence engenders counter violence in a seemingly endless cycle.

“I love America, which I regard as an important leader of the free world, and I’m great friends with George W Bush. The day after 9/11 I wrote to him expressing my profound condolences but also the hope that any response to the attack would avoid further violence. Eventually Iraq was attacked and when we met afterwards I told him of my affection for him, but also of my reservations about some of his policies. The intention to bring democracy to Iraq was admirable; the use of force was not.

“The only way to really solve human problems is to meet, talk and engage in dialogue. Only if we’re prepared to depend on dialogue will we be able to create a more peaceful world.”

His Holiness thanked the members of the crowd for coming to see him as many of them stood with folded hands and smiles on their faces to see him off. He went from the temple yard to an audience hall in his residence where 88 Thai monks, 13 nuns, 48 lay-people and 8 foreign supporters were joining him for lunch.

To begin with a Thai Elder expressed the group’s gratitude for His Holiness’s kindness and hospitality. He replied that it was a great honour for him to share lunch with all of them.

“Fifty years ago, before Thailand entered into diplomatic relations with China, I visited your country two or three times and had an audience with His Majesty the late King. I also joined local monks on their alms round and I remember that the Bangkok streets were hot, so although I was pleased and happy to be there, my bare feet suffered.

“I greatly admired the Thai Buddhist way of life as I saw it. Today, you are about to set out again on your Dhamma Pad Yatra, your third Walk for World Peace from here to Leh and I’m happy to have been able to welcome you and offer you lunch.

“I’m very reluctant to say that one religion is better than another, just as we could not claim that one medicine is the best remedy for everything. However, I do believe that by observing the three trainings of ethics, concentration and wisdom we can tackle our emotions and transform our minds enabling us to be of greater help to other people. In that respect Buddhism has something universal to contribute to our common well-being. We can share this with others in a secular way without talking about liberation or nirvana, concerning ourselves only with becoming happier human beings in more peaceful communities.”

Prayers to offer the food were recited in Pali and Tibetan. At the end of the meal His Holiness wished all his guests well as they set out on their pilgrimage.

original link with photos: https://www.dalailama.com/news/2018/meeting-visitors-to-dharamsala-from-india-and-abroad

Dalai Lama on Religious Harmony

American, Indian and Tibetan Students and Teachers Meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - Eighty people from three different groups met His Holiness the Dalai Lama today. They included students and faculty members from Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, as well as participants in the Emory-Tibet Partnership from the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala, and students involved with the Kurukul Program of the Foundation for Universal Responsibility, New Delhi.

His Holiness welcomed them to Dharamsala, which he described as his second home for the last 59 years.

He outlined his four main commitments, explaining that the first is to promoting an understanding of the oneness that unites all 7 billion human beings alive today. He mentioned not only the interdependence of the global economy, but also how we are all affected by common concerns like climate change.

“We are emotionally, mentally and physically the same and we can help each other by sharing our experience of achieving peace of mind.”

Noting that the fundamental message of all major religious traditions includes the importance of cultivating friendship, love, tolerance and self discipline, His Holiness is committed to promoting inter-religious harmony. Consequently, he expressed regret at the level of religious conflict that can be seen today.

“Look at India,” he said, “where religious harmony has been thriving for thousands of years. In addition to indigenous traditions, there others from elsewhere. Followers of Zoroastrianism, for example, originally came from Persia and their community now numbers fewer than 100,000, mostly in Mumbai. But they live there completely without fear. That’s the Indian tradition.

“Then, as a Tibetan, someone in whom 6 million Tibetans have placed their trust, I have a moral responsibility to help them as best I can. I semi-retired from my political role in 2001 and completely retired and devolved those responsibilities to an elected leadership in 2011. Now I’m committed to working to encourage the protection of Tibet's fragile environment. This involves more than the well-being of six million Tibetans because, as a Chinese ecologist has observed, Tibet’s influence on global climate is equivalent to that of the North and South Poles. That’s why he referred to the Tibetan Plateau as the Third Pole. Almost a billion people across Asia depend on water from rivers such as the Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Salween and Mekong, all of which rise in Tibet. If the snow on the mountains of Tibet disappears, millions of Indians will suffer the consequences."

His Holiness also expressed his dedication to keeping Tibet’s language and its rich cultural and religious heritage alive. He explained how the Buddhist traditions of Tibet were drawn from those upheld at the Nalanda University in India. They included a strong reliance on reasoning and investigation, which corresponds to a scientific approach.

“The world is facing a crisis of emotions. Elements of the Nalanda Tradition derived from the longstanding Indian practices for developing a calmly abiding mind and deep insight (shamatha and vipashyana) have much to tell us about tackling our negative emotions and cultivating lasting peace of mind. This is why this knowledge remains relevant today, which is why I am also committed to trying to revive an appreciation of it. I believe that here in India it is possible to integrate ancient knowledge with a modern education.”

His Holiness answered several questions from the audience related to creating a more compassion society, dealing with adversity, making positive use of technology and coming to terms with death. He also advised the Buddhists in the room to take a 21st century approach to their faith by developing a reasoned understanding of who the Buddha was and what he taught.

The meeting ended with members of the various groups gathering around His Holiness to have their photographs taken with him, after which everyone dispersed for lunch.

original link & photos: https://www.dalailama.com/news/2018/american-indian-and-tibetan-students-and-teachers-meet-his-holiness-the-dalai-lama

Haunted Objects: Residual Energy - Part 5

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

The series so far:

Residual Energy And Haunts by Mark Hunnemann - Part 1

Residual Energy And Haunts by Mark Hunnemann - Part 2

Residual Energy And Haunts by Mark Hunnemann - Part 3

Distinguishing Between Intelligent Haunts & Residual Haunts - Part 4


In this chapter we are going to expand our analysis of residual energy/haunts to alleged residually haunted objects—objects which are haunted with residual energy.  There is no doubt that some objects, like some homes, are ‘odd’—they are purchased and bad things start to happen—too many to explain away as coincidence. Can objects retain negative energy much like the environment in which there is an alleged residual haunt? The only difference it would seem is that the alleged residual energy is localized in the object itself. Perhaps you have heard of John Zaffis and his show “The Haunted Collector”? I watched several episodes and often he would refer to objects ‘absolutely’ would retain the negative energy of the people and events associated with them. A few of the more well known haunted objects are: the Dibbuk box, Annabelle the doll, and the mirror at Myrtles Plantation.

Speaking of John Zaffis, Lisa Hix says: “What parapsychologists refer to as a ‘haunting’ is like what you and I would think of as a recording. Residual energy is trapped in whatever object it is, and it replays itself. There’s nothing intelligent about it. It just plays the same thing over and over.” Lisa Hix

Several things I want to say.

1. There seems to be a general consensus by paranormal investigators that objects can be haunted either by ghosts or residual energy but we are going to focus on residual energy being retained in an object. Humans MUST go before the Sovereign Judge of heaven and earth immediately after death, so they cannot haunt an object or a house, but that is topic for another day. ‘Seeing Ghosts through God's Eyes’ is my analysis of the ghost issue. The question is this: can a traumatic event associated with an object cause that object to retain the negative energy of that event? For example, if a sword was used to murder someone could it retain that energy?  Could this object become a place memory—a recording tape of this event by storing its energy?

2. The short answer is an emphatic NO! Everything I said re residual energy/haunts applies directly to this issue because the exact same phenomenon is said to happen, except it is localized in a single object and not entire surroundings of home/office.

If..if there was a transfer of energy during this murder, what kind of energy is it? Electrical, thermal, chemical? Second, whatever energy was emitted from the event when the blade struck its victim, this energy would immediately dissipate into the atmosphere. Imagine putting a drop of food coloring in the ocean. Is it destroyed? No, but it might as well be because  it is so watered down that it is virtually gone-- thousands of miles of ocean. Same with emitted energy-it must dissipate into the earth's atmosphere 100 miles high surrounding the earth. I have a space heater in front of my chair in which I am writing. It will warm up this small area but it will not heat the entire room--why not? The thermal energy dissipates. Neither will the heat coming out of it make a bee-line for an object in my room and store there and keep in hot indefinitely. An object like this sword or an antique cannot retain energy any more than your room will stay warm once you turn the heat off. Energy is energy and cannot remain clustered in an object any more than a drop of food coloring will stay clustered together if you drop it in the ocean/glass.

As long as ice melts in liquid warmer than it, then the second and third laws of thermodynamics are absolutely valid.  One man tried to argue that it had questions raised recently but I’ve studied the literature and in the real world it is still absolute.

My point is that an object cannot be haunted by residual energy because energy cannot remain stored in the object. To state otherwise is to contradict one of the most basic, absolute laws of science-God’s laws in nature. Remember, I am not disputing an object can be ‘haunted’—I’m just saying, as I did with residual haunting in general, it cannot be caused by natural forces. If you have not read my earlier chapters on residual energy, please do because I don’t want to repeat myself, and I need to address another question. How do you distinguish between  an object haunted by ghost and residual energy? That encounters the same insuperable problems associated with intelligent and residual haunts.

3. If it is not residual energy causing the object to be haunted what is? Well, first it is not ‘haunted’?  Nor is it possessed—only conscious beings can be possessed. A doll cannot be possessed. However, demons are very territorial and for various reasons they do attach to objects just as they attach to homes and people. Some people and many animals are sensitive to the presence of the demonic attached to an object. They will stare or bark at it for hours.

Lisa Hix states the following: On his FAQ at the Museum of the Paranormal, Zaffis agrees that such phenomena are all about energy, but he has a different theory about how the energy got there. “With most of the items in the museum, they have been used in rituals, usually when spells are being cast,” he writes. “Although the items are not ‘possessed,’ … items can hold energy within or around them, and it is usually the result of the energy being sent to the object by an individual.”

He is half-way right there. What I thought instructive is that this expert in occult objects recognizes that there is a common theme or back-story to these objects—ritualistic activity, spell casting or curses being sent by an individual are attached to an object. The curse or ritual summons a demon who then is all too happy to attach to this object; giving it a legal right to attach and attack its owners. Demons, not negative energy, haunt objects. It is pure evil and we need to stop calling it negative energy.

Contrary to what the well known psychic Sylvia Browne said: “There’s no such thing as a curse. That’s just a goofy fortune-teller’s way of getting money.” No ma'am..you are wrong. Dead wrong.

Just as demons attach to dead idols that people worship (1 Cor. 10, etc.), so they can attach to objects that have been presented in an occultic ritualistic fashion. An example might be the sword of a Freemason.  My dear friend Laura Maxwell told me today of a lovely piece of jewelry that was given to her, but she got weird vibes off it. She later discovered that it was a Hindu object, and she got rid of it. This is instructive because it illustrates how common this problem is, and how anybody may be affected by it. Much artwork or furniture or jewelry was crafted by pagans with pagan intentions or occultic symbolism. And as Zaffis reminds us, most of the infested/cursed objects are due to some form of rituals in which spells are being cast; that kind of activity is precisely what opens doors to demonic. That is a very significant point and fits hand in glove with our premise of demonic intervention. If you curse something, then it is an open invitation for demonic attachment; ‘legal rights’ have been granted to it/them.

Or take the sword we talked about earlier used in a murder: that MAY cause a demon to become attached to it because it took the life of God’s image bearer—thus an attack on God Himself. On one case, my client’s husband had been in special forces and was dispatched to Iraq. He was a sniper and he had this tiny troll doll he put on his gun barrel, which was used to kill many people, and he brought it home and was obsessed with it. He placed it here, and then he placed it there, and then it started moving on its own. In addition, he also brought home objects from Saddam Hussein’s palace (one of them)—pictures—one of the dogs playing cards….others more occult looking. Due to all the murder, torture, sexual uncleaness, and madness that took place in his palaces, it’s no wonder that they are infested, and the objects in them. No doubt these were part of the reason this woman’s home was being terrorized.

She had been having sex with her boyfriend and he started experiencing problems due to his close connection to the infestation. I instructed them to stop but they didn’t listen, and he became partially possessed—eyes turned black, loss of memory, and aberrant behavior; and a minor exorcism had to be performed. So, ‘haunted objects’ can cause one’s life to turn into a living nightmare; even something as small as a one-inch troll doll. When we went through all of his ‘stuff’ and either tossed it or blessed it, a shadow demon was seen fleeing from the storage building.

So, the source of an objects ‘haunting’ is the demonic and not residual energy.

4. How is obtained? It seems that antique stores are especially vulnerable because you have old objects and you have no idea what kind of people previously owned it. Also, if they had demonic activity in their home, it also may attach to particular objects in the home. Care must be taken when buying antiques or even used items or clothes.

Don’t be paranoid because junking is supposed to be fun! You just need to be familiar with occult symbols. Be especially aware of items that might have some connection with a fraternal organization, like Freemasonry. If it feels weird, better safe than sorry.

And if activity begins in your home after buying an object then the best thing to do is get rid of it.

5. How do I get rid of it? Get rid of it!  Don’t do EMF readings or especially do not do EVPs—that will make it worse. Don’t do like Zaffis and now Zak Bagans and start your your own haunted museum! I used to collect items I took from people’s homes but I learned that it was better to just throw it out…which is what I did. If it is a very expensive item, you may try expelling the demon or getting help to do so. But if you are confident the object is cursed then the best thing to do is dump it in the trash, burn it, or bury it. The bible has examples of godly people doing all three with occult objects. Pray the blood of Jesus to bind the demons…and to forbid them from following you home. For example, it is needed to ‘close’ a Ouija Board before you burn it or it will just leave the object and possibly attach to you.

Once again, if someone has mis-identified the nature of the problem with the object then it could cause serious problems. If you are told that it is merely residual energy and not harmful, and you decide to hang onto the item, then your life may turn into a wide-awake nightmare. Whatever demon/s associated with the object, will eventually begin to turn upon its owner. They do not care as much about things as they do wrecking and breaking people down, and pulverizing them. So, whether the ‘spiritual cancer’ is in the home or attached to an object, it will wreck havoc in a multitude of ways. Get rid of it!

If you have been exposed to a demon attached object then it has had an affect on you. Realize that just because you were baptized does not mean you are saved. Nor does a simple belief in the existence of God and Jesus save you. First step is to ask Christ to save you if you haven’t already: confess that you have fallen short of His holy laws and need to be forgiven…ask Christ to forgive you and turn from your self centered life to having Jesus as the leader of your life. Open up your empty hands of faith and accept God’s free gift of salvation which Christ earned for you—and bow before the finished work of Christ on the cross. As Jesus to forgive your sins and He will—past, present and future. And eternal life is a personal relationship with God through Jesus.

Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.