Take active role in reviving ancient knowledge: Dalai

New Delhi: Indians should show interest in reviving India’s ancient wisdom which is of universal value, said the Dalai Lama while speaking at an event — “Reviving Indian wisdom in contemporary India” — organised by Vidyaloke, an initiative towards revitalising ancient tradition and rebuilding an intellectual lineage in this century.

He added that the people should take pay more attention to traditional values and play an active role in promotion of inner values.

“You must think more about ancient wisdom. More and more Indians should show interest in ancient knowledge which will be useful. Indians were the gurus (teachers). We are the chelas (students). But in modern times, our guru is busy with money. Now, chela got better through rigorous study and is now teaching the guru,” he said, adding that he feels a sense of responsibility to revive India’s ancient knowledge.

He also laid emphasis on education and said that Indians should promote these values not only through prayers, but also through education and awareness.

“Prayers don’t have much effect. Education is the key factor towards reality; it will open our brains and make us get rid of destructive emotions like hatred, and jealousy. Education should increase our positive emotions. The sense of oneness will come through education and not prayers,” he said, addressing a gathering of students and scholars at Talkatora Stadium.

Talking about religion, he said that it can bring inner peace but sometimes it can also become a source of negative feelings.

“Please take care of your mental health in order to take care of your physical health. You should take care of your peace of mind not through prayers or religion, but through reasoning,” he said.

He shared many light moments with the audience during his address. While responding to a question on how to counter stress which makes us forget our basic human values, he replied jocularly, “If you feel that it will go through prayers, then you pray”.

On another question on relevance of marriage, he said, “We have to produce children; so marriage.”