I get emotional every time I visit Tawang: Dalai Lama

A couple of days after he slammed Communist China's 'hard line' on his trip to Arunachal Pradesh and rejected its claim on Tawang, the
Dalai Lama on Tuesday, in a more sombre mood, described India as the spiritual home of Tibetans.

Speaking to TOI at the Tawang Monastery (Arunachal Pradesh government officials requested not to bring up China during the conversation), the Tibetan spiritual leader spoke about his 'dharma', his escape from Tibet 50 years ago and the warm welcome he received in India. "All my trips have been usual, even my last visit here (in 2003)," he said.

"This time, it has been politicised too much. It's sad. I am a Buddhist monk and my conduct, wherever I go, basically has been non-political." On his present trip, he added: "I am here and it's my duty — as per the request of the people here — to come and teach the Buddha dharma."

As the conversation shifted to 1959, when he escaped from Tibet and first set foot on Indian soil, his voice turned palpably emotional. "I get emotional because in 1959, when I escaped Tibet, I took this route. I was physically very weak, suffering from some sort of dysentery. Mentally, there was a lot of anxiety. It was difficult. The people here and also officials extended a very warm welcome. So I get emotional every time I visit Tawang," he said.

On being so close to his native Tibet — Tawang is barely 40 km from the McMahon Line that separates the Tibetan region and India — the Dalai Lama said: "Actually, as a Buddhist monk, and since I am Tibetan, there is a saying that the place where you feel happy is your home. And then, whoever shows kindness, is your relative." In India, he added, he felt at home, more so because Buddhism went to Tibet from India. "Spiritually and mentally, we are very close to this country. Therefore, this is the home of our spirituality."

On his message for Buddhists, particularly those in India, the Dalai Lama said he has always advocated scientific Buddhism of the 21st century. "I always tell the Buddhists, not just Tibetans but also Chinese, Japanese, Korean Buddhists, and even those in Thailand and Myanmar, that we are in the 21st century and we should strive to be 21st century Buddhists. That means fuller knowledge of modern education and modern science and fuller knowledge of the Buddha dharma."

He said "Buddha dharma" was very relevant in today's world. "I usually describe Buddhism in three parts — Buddhist science, Buddhist philosophy and Buddhist religion." As for science, he advocated a combination of modern Western and ancient Indian elements.