Dharamshala, June 3 – “Buddhism is an academic subject and Nalanda was an academic centre. The principles and tenets of Buddhism should not be just left in the scriptures”, said His Holiness the Dalai Lama to a packed auditorium of young Tibetans at Upper Tibetan Children’s Village School, Dharamshala, today.

The Tibetan spiritual leader was giving the annual introductory teachings on Buddhism to young Tibetans at the request of the Buddhism Introductory Committee of Dharamshala, the fifth since the teachings were first requested in 2007.

Over 3000 Tibetans, studying in 78 different schools and colleges from all over India and abroad filled the Hermann Gmeiner auditorium, named after the war veteran philanthropist and founder of the SOS Children’s Villages, while many more listened to the teachings over the local radio station, Tashi Delek FM and the internet.

“No one is requesting you to please follow Buddhism or ordering you to listen to the teachings”, told His Holiness the young audience. “It is the choice of the individual and once you understand and realise the principle and tenets of Buddhism then you should follow it sincerely and imbibe it in your daily routine.”

Over 3000 Tibetan students from 78 different academic institutions are participating in the two-day introductory teachings on Buddhism by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. (Phayul Photo/Norbu Wangyal)