Dalai Lama flags resurgence of Buddhism in China after ‘suppression and oppression’

By PTI

BODH GAYA: The Dalai Lama on Sunday flagged the “growing interest in Buddhism” in China after years of “suppression and oppression” of the religion and its followers.

His Holiness was addressing devotees in Bodh Gaya, the location the place the Buddha had attained Enlightenment two millennia in the past, after a “long life offering” ceremony, a standard prayer made for the longevity of the 87-year- outdated Buddhist chief.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner stated, “The Buddhist tradition of Tibet has gained lots of attention from people in the West. In the past, Buddhism was known to be an Asian religion. But today its philosophy and concepts, particularly with regard to psychology have spread throughout the world. Many scientists are taking interest in this tradition”.

“So, this is not only for Tibet but even China. It has a direct bearing on China as well because China has been a Buddhist country but there was so much suppression and oppression of Buddhism and Buddhists in China”, stated the Tibetan chief, who needed to flee his homeland in 1959, a decade after Mao Zedong’s communist revolution.

“So, there could be much change happening in China and the world. I have always remained optimistic about the possibility of a better world”, he added.

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“Tibet, which is also called the land of snows, has undergone many tragedies. But it has come as a blessing in disguise. People around the world have now become aware of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition”, stated the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama, who has since sought asylum in India and settled at Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, which has come to be generally known as “mini Tibet” due to a lot of Tibetan refugees staying there, has come to this worldwide Buddhist pilgrim city in Bihar, which he calls the ‘Vajrasthan’ (the pure land) after a niche of two years.

“It is a coincidence that this ceremony, where prayers are made for my long life, is taking place on the first day of the Gregorian calendar. So, this is in a way an indication that we may be looking at good times ahead”, added the famend chief.

BODH GAYA: The Dalai Lama on Sunday flagged the “growing interest in Buddhism” in China after years of “suppression and oppression” of the religion and its followers.

His Holiness was addressing devotees in Bodh Gaya, the location the place the Buddha had attained Enlightenment two millennia in the past, after a “long life offering” ceremony, a standard prayer made for the longevity of the 87-year- outdated Buddhist chief.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner stated, “The Buddhist tradition of Tibet has gained lots of attention from people in the West. In the past, Buddhism was known to be an Asian religion. But today its philosophy and concepts, particularly with regard to psychology have spread throughout the world. Many scientists are taking interest in this tradition”.

“So, this is not only for Tibet but even China. It has a direct bearing on China as well because China has been a Buddhist country but there was so much suppression and oppression of Buddhism and Buddhists in China”, stated the Tibetan chief, who needed to flee his homeland in 1959, a decade after Mao Zedong’s communist revolution.

“So, there could be much change happening in China and the world. I have always remained optimistic about the possibility of a better world”, he added.

ALSO READ | As Dalai Lama prays at Bodh Gaya, Chinese ‘spy’ quizzed, to be deported

“Tibet, which is also called the land of snows, has undergone many tragedies. But it has come as a blessing in disguise. People around the world have now become aware of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition”, stated the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama, who has since sought asylum in India and settled at Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh, which has come to be generally known as “mini Tibet” due to a lot of Tibetan refugees staying there, has come to this worldwide Buddhist pilgrim city in Bihar, which he calls the ‘Vajrasthan’ (the pure land) after a niche of two years.

“It is a coincidence that this ceremony, where prayers are made for my long life, is taking place on the first day of the Gregorian calendar. So, this is in a way an indication that we may be looking at good times ahead”, added the famend chief.