HHDL: Ghandism, Spiritual Growth a Must to Defuse Tension

The Tribune, India -- Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Pathankot, January 30 - The Dalai Lama said unrest and tension was increasing in the world today in the age of information technology and spirituality was the only path to solve modern problems.

Speaking on the occasion of martyrdom day of Mahatma Gandhi here today, the Dalai Lama said while China and India were emerging as two most powerful economic powers in the world, India can learn from China in producing cheapgoods, which were becoming popular globally. Similarly, China could learn to promote spirituality from India.

He said, India should not deviate from its ancient spiritual tradition and continue to practice it with the materialistic progress and development in the 21st century.

He said the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi were more relevant today and more and more people globally were finding his gospels of truth and non-violence more conducive for harmony and peaceful co-existence in the world.

He added that while communism and capitalism models of governments had not been able to live up to the expectations of the people, Gandhism was still relevant for solving today's problems.

Former minister and BJP MP Vinod Khanna said without inner peace there could not be any real progress in the world and the Dalai Lama was one of the most respected religious leader who had been not only instrumental in defusing global tension among the countries.

Students and political leaders thronged Prasthan Ashrama, venue of the congregation.