Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India, 4 January 2012 (by Tendar
Tsering, phayul.com) - His Holiness the Dalai Lama formally received the
Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Reconciliation and Peace earlier
today during his Kalachakra teachings at Bodh Gaya.
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama
receives the Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Reconciliation and
Peace from Ela Gandhi, the granddaughter Mahatma Gandhi, in Bodh Gaya,
India, on January 4, 2011. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
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Representing the Gandhi Development Trust in
Durban, South Africa, Ela Gandhi, grand daughter of Mahatma Gandhi, the
father of the Indian nation, personally presented the award to the
Tibetan spiritual leader.
“We are privileged in honouring His Holiness the
Dalai Lama in recognition of his work and contribution for world peace,”
Ela Gandhi announced.
The Dalai Lama was supposed to have received the
award last October as part of a much anticipated visit to South Africa.
The visit had to be called off at the eleventh hour following a
five-week wait for a visa to be issued.
Referring to the South African government’s tacit
delay in issuing the visa, Gandhi said “it was very painful for the
people in Africa for not being able to present the award to His Holiness
in person.”
“There is no justification for failing to issue the visa timely,” Gandhi added.
However, the grand daughter of Mahatma Gandhi acknowledged that it
was a “blessing” to be honoring the Dalai Lama on the “special spiritual
occasion” of Kalachakra.
“Words of Mahatma Gandhi and His Holiness challenge us all to lead a
more humanitarian, a more humble and simple life,” Gandhi said.
After receiving the Gandhi statue, the 76-year old Tibetan leader
said that these days “more and more people” in the world are
appreciating the virtues of non-violence.
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama
speaking after receiving the Mahatma Gandhi Award in Bodh Gaya, India,
on January 4, 2012. Photo/Getty Images |
“As we all know, Mahatma Gandhi is no more with us, but his philosophy of non-violence is very much alive,” the Dalai Lama said.
Exonerating Mahatma Gandhi for reviving the ancient
Indian tradition of Ahimsa through modern education, the Dalai Lama
assured the organisers of his lifelong commitment to non-violence.
His Holiness also urged his disciples for their
moral support in his efforts to promote non-violence, love, and
compassion throughout the world.
“Genuine non-violence will come only after the
inner disarmament of our mind,” the Dalai Lama said. “Only with inner
disarmament, we can bring outer disarmament”.
“Lots of problems in this world are created out of ignorance and
greed. With our minds full of fear and hatred, it is impossible to
achieve non-violence,” the Tibetan Nobel Peace Laureate said while
encouraging everyone to use human intelligence in challenging and
overcoming negative emotions with positive emotions.
Former recipients of the Mahatma Gandhi International Award include
Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, South African leader
Nelson Mandela and Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere.
