Address at the Convention for Global Peace

On 2 December 2017 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche delivered an address at the inauguration of the three-day Convention for Global Peace—Confluence of the Path of Buddha and Gandhi, and Arts and Culture, convened in Dharamshala. His Holiness the Dalai Lama presided over the event and gave an advisory speech.

The inaugural session commenced with singing of Indian national anthem, followed by chanting of auspicious verses by girl students of Himalayan Buddhist Culture School, Kullu. Thereafter Mr Laxmi Das, an executive member of New Delhi-based Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, and a Gandhi follower, welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche by presenting each a unique indigenous hat of Himachal Pradesh region, a Gandhi spinning wheel, and other items.

There then followed a welcome speech by Mr Vedabhya Kundu, the Director of Programmes, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti. Mr Kundu remarked that it was greatly fortunate to be listening to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who is a Noble Laureate and a leader of world peace. On behalf of the organising committee, Mr Kundu extended gratitude to His Holiness for giving the time in kindly gracing the event.

Subsequent to that the Chancellor of Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Mr Kuladipachanda Agnihotri, delivered a speech.

After that, Mr Laxmi Das, an executive member of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, and a Gandhi follower, gave a speech.

His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche then addressed the convention. His Eminence Rinpoche pointed out that the guidance by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, that for a genuine non-violent peace to prevail it has to begin from individual person to have their mind peaceful and tamed, is the thought of Buddha and Gandhi.

Although the Tibetan struggle had not been wholly non-violent for the period between 1951 – 1967, yet with consistent advice from His Holiness to the Tibetans to enter the path of peaceful non-violence, now Tibetans are fully non-violent in their national struggle, that no matter how severe the tortures and hardship they have to experience the Tibetans both inside Tibet and out in exile have not ever since taken the path of violence. His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s far-reaching three commitments have been greatly inspiring and encouraging to all around the world who aspire peace and happiness.

Later, during the actual conference His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche delivered an address on the theme of “Applying the Thoughts of Buddha and Gandhi to the Present Policies on World Peace.” Organised jointly by Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Shivalik Ashram and Himachal Nature and Yoga Training Centre, and convened in the conference hall of Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala, over 200 participants, comprising of Gandhi followers, teachers, students and general public, attended the conference.