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FEATURE | EASTERN HORIZON 27

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking on “Our
World in a Time of Change” to students from
Russian universities online from his residence
in Dharamsala, HP, India on March 29, 2021.
Photo by Ven Tenzin Jamphel

and missiles armed with nuclear truly practise compassion, you are whether there is anything that is
warheads. We only thought of primarily concerned with others beautiful for everyone, His Holiness
ourselves. Now, we have to think rather than yourself. responded, “Warm-heartedness.
of the whole of humanity, not just Even animals appreciate it. If you
this or that nation. Since we all “I greatly admire those who are motivated by loving kindness,
have to live together on this one have helped people who were it will be reflected in the happy
planet, there’s no room for fighting sick or alone, despite the risk expression on your face. Real
on the basis of a division into ‘us’ to themselves. Active concern beauty is inner beauty.”
and ‘them’—that’s an old way of for others, even sacrificing your
thinking. own life, is an expression of real A student from the Tuvan State
compassion. Those of us who follow University wanted to know if there
“When it comes to building a happier Indian spiritual traditions, such as is any conflict between pursuing
world, we have to see cultural and Buddhism, believe that we live life technological development and
linguistic differences between us after life. If you give up your life for spirituality.
as secondary. We need to take the the sake of someone else, you can
whole of humanity into account. be confident of a good life in the “Technology is created and used
Previously, because we only thought future. This echoes the Christian, by human beings,” His Holiness
in narrow terms, we stumbled into Muslim and Jewish belief that if you pointed out.
war with all the misery it entailed. sacrifice yourself for others, God
will take care of you.” “If it is employed judiciously with a
“Russia is a great nation with great sense of altruism, the result will be
potential to contribute to a happier His Holiness told a student from good. A computer has no emotional
world. I’m happy to have this Buryat State University that faith response of its own. The effect it
opportunity today to talk to you should be combined with wisdom. may have in any given situation
students and to take your questions.” This means examining the teaching very much depends on the person
in the light of reason. It is said that who uses it. If the person who uses
A student at Kalmyk State people with limited education rely it today is generous and kind, the
University explained that he and on blind faith. Those more able to effect is likely to be positive. But if
his friends had volunteered to exercise their intelligence rely on the same piece of equipment is used
help those in need during the reason. tomorrow by someone who is angry
pandemic. He asked if they should and spiteful, the result is more likely
risk their lives out of compassion. Asked by a student from St to be detrimental.
His Holiness replied that if you Petersburg State University