Very purpose of our life is happiness, Dalai Lama says at UC San Diego
By Lobsang Tenchoe
DHARAMSALA, June 17: Too much emphasis on differences is the root cause of all our problems, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said in his public address at the University of California, San Diego.
The Tibetan spiritual leader made the statement while speaking on “Embracing the Beauty of Diversity in Our World” to around 20,000 people at a sold out public address on June 16 (10:00am – 11:30am PDT) at the RIMAC Field at UC San Diego.
“Too much emphasis on differences is the root cause of all our problems. Instead we have to work together and share each other’s problems as one human family because the very purpose of our life is happiness and every body wants a happy life,” the Dalai Lama said.
“Education institutions should take full responsibilities of not just developing brain, but also strengthening basic human value that is compassionate. As scientist have drawn conclusion that a healthy mind is very important for a healthy body, Education institutions should pay more attention about moral ethics and inner values and incorporate education about hygiene of emotions so that while the education about material values can provide us physical comfort, education about hygiene of emotions can provide us mental comfort,” the Tibetan Nobel laureate said urging universities like UC San Diego to take up the initiative.
The Dalai lama was presented with a key to the city by the San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer at the event. Following his public address to the large crowd, the Tibetan spiritual leader sat down with journalist Ann Curry to answer questions.
Apart from the public address at UC San Diego, the Tibetan spiritual leader who is on a two-week US tour is also scheduled to give public talks on ‘Caring for the World through Kindness and Compassion’ at Minneapolis on June 17 and for the Tibetan Community in Minnesota on June 24, and a day-long meeting with scholars at Boston, Massachusetts on June 25.
This is the Dalai Lama’s second visit to UC San Diego, having visited it earlier in 2012. The Chinese Student and Scholar Association denounced the decision to have the Dalai Lama speak at the university’s commencement ceremony. However, the Chancellor of the University, Mr Pradeep Khosla was quick to point out that the Dalai Lama represents the values of UC San Diego.
“The keynote speaker should be one who represents the values of UC San Diego and it’s clear to me that His Holiness’ message of peace, his message of happiness, his message of love, spirituality really reflects some of our own views on life,” Chancellor Pradeep Khosla reportedly said.
