Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama said the followers of all religions as Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Christianity should not just visit their temples, mosque and churches but on a daily basis, integrate the respective teachings within themselves.
This way, they can achieve transformation, he said, while preaching devotees on Shantideva’s text ‘A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ at Sankisa in Uttar Pradesh.
The purpose of religion is to train our mind constructively and inspire love and compassion in our daily lives.
Otherwise, the dharma will not serve its purpose, he said.
Dalai Lama said, ‘Religion is not about building temples; these are part of religious practice, but most important is to control and discipline your mind.
When one is motivated by compassion and wisdom, the results of those actions benefit everyone.
Simply based on this logic, one can believe in the power of love and compassion. It is not about religion or having faith in God.’
He said we all want peace of mind when you have it from within, you will not harm to others. Therefore, it is very important to develop and train oneself in these positive emotions.
“Some people consider that the practice of love and compassion is only related to religious practice and if they are not interested in religion they disregard these inner values. But love and compassion are the basis of human survival,” he added.
He noted that the text Bodhichariyavatara and Mulamadhyamakakarika, The Fundamental Wisdom of Middle Way by Nagarjuna could be recognised as the two most important texts from amongst the translations that are in Tibetan treatises of Indian master.