Attempts by China to destroy Buddhism have failed: Dalai Lama

Agencies, New Delhi, 1 January 2023: Dalai Lama said that the Chinese government destroyed many Buddhist Viharas. The Tibetan Spiritual leader Dalai Lama, while imparting his preaching in Bodh Gaya, accused China of trying to destroy Buddhism and said that it has failed in doing so as there are many people in China who believe in Buddhism.

“When I visit trans-Himalayan regions, I find local people devoted to Buddha dharma. It's the same in Mongolia and in China too, though the system (Chinese government) sees dharma as poison and trying to destroy it but they're not successful,” said Dalai Lama. “Buddhism was harmed by the Chinese government but could not be destroyed from China. Even today, there are many people who believe in Buddhism in China," he added.

The Dalai Lama was addressing devotees in Bodh Gaya, the site where the Buddha had attained enlightenment two millennia ago, after a "long life offering" ceremony, a traditional prayer made for the longevity of the 87-year-old Buddhist leader.

He said that 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".

At the ceremony, the Dalai Lama flagged the "growing interest in Buddhism" in China after years of "suppression and oppression" of the faith and its followers.

"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", said the Tibetan leader, who fled his homeland in 1959, a decade after Mao Zedong’s communist revolution.

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He added that there could be much change happening in China and the world as he has always remained “optimistic about the possibility of a better world”.

"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", the Dalai Lama pointed out.

The Dalai Lama visited the Bodh Gaya in Bihar after a gap of two years. He sought asylum in India and settled at Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh which has come to be known as "mini Tibet" because of a large number of Tibetan refugees staying there.

(With agencies inputs)