Sunday, 11 October 2015 20:59 Jane Cook , Tibet Post International
Dharamshala — Speaking about the importance of the Tibetan language and its preservation, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said on Saturday that “the unique Tibetan language should be a matter of great pride for all Tibetan people.”
His Holiness was speaking at the 10th founding anniversary of the Mewoen Tsuglag Petoen, a model Tibetan school at Gangchen Kyishong in Dharamshala, India.
Hundreds of Tibetans, including schoolchildren, parents and staff had gathered to receive blessings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the Himalayan hill station of Dharamshala in northern India.
His Holiness extended his good wishes and gratitude to the school for its impressive performance in recent years. He also expressed his appreciation to all the teachers and staff for their consistent hard work.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were special guest former Kalon Tripa Prof Samdong Rinpoche, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament Penpa Tsering, and other senior officials of the Central Tibetan administration.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama shared his thoughts on the richness and uniqueness of the Tibetan script, which comprehends the intricate scientific and psychological aspects of Tibetan Buddhism.
“The unique Tibetan language should be a matter of great pride for all Tibetan people,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama said underlining the importance of the Tibetan language and its preservation.
“Tibet in the past has suffered a massive political tragedy. However, the Tibetan language has been the lifeline in sustaining the essence of Tibetan culture and tradition over the years,” he said.
.“It is evident that modern education alone is incompetent in creating a blissful society,” His Holiness the Dalai Lama said urging “the importance of combining modern education with traditional values.”
“Even though people have reached high intellectual growth, modern education fails to address the ceaseless problems created by human beings,” the Nobel Peace Prize laureate said, adding that “therefore, it is a fusion of the two that determines excellence.”
Speaking on religious harmony, His Holiness stressed “the need for a better understanding of the basic precept that the essence of all religion is love and compassion.”
“Today, even religion, which is supposed to be imparting love and compassion are now becoming the cause of conflicts and bloodshed,” the Buddhist leader said.
“The need for imparting virtues and codes of conducts through modern education is a must as suggested by many intellectuals and scientists,” His Holiness further added.
The Tibetan school is based on a holistic approach of learning through the “Basic Education Policy for Tibetans in Exile”. It was established in 2005 under then Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche.
Addressing the gathering, Education minister Mr Ngodup Tsering expressed gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his lifelong efforts to provide the best of both modern and traditional education to Tibetan children.
Penpa Tsering, in his address, praised His Holiness for his tireless efforts to rehabilitate the Tibetan refugees, particularly his constant emphasis on education of the Tibetan children over more than 50 years.
Prof Samdhong Rinpoche said that the “Basic Education Policy for Tibetans in Exile” was announced during his Kalon Tripa’s term of office— “deriving the constant advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the public regarding Tibetan language, education, and culture, as well as the teachings of the Buddha.”
“The policy was formally announced during the 6th Tibetan General Conference on Education after consultation with hundreds of Tibetan teachers and duly adopted by the Tibetan parliament,” he explained.
http://www.thetibetpost.com/en/news/exile/4750-his-holiness-the-unique-language-is-a-matter-of-pride-for-all-tibetans
