I'm Messenger of India's Ancient Thoughts: Dalai Lama

Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India, 14 November 2009 (Outlook) - Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, today said he was active in spreading India's message of non-violence and religious harmony throughout the world.

"I am the messenger of India's ancient thoughts world over," Dalai Lama told an assembly of intellectuals here.

He said democracy was deep rooted in India because the people had deep respect for the two precious ideals. Even non-believer like 'Charvak' was respected and given the high status of a sage in ancient India.

The Tibetan monk said he considered India as a master and Tibet its disciple as great scholars like Nagarjuna went from Nalanda to Tibet to preach Buddhism in the eighth century.

He said millions of people had lost their lives in violence and economy of many a countries got ruined due to conflicts in the 20th century. "Let the 21th century be a century of tolerance and dialogue."

The Dalai Lama is leaving here tomorrow for New Delhi.

The Tibetan spiritual leader said that in the past there was no conflict between people belonging to different faiths.

"From space if one looks at planet earth it would still look peaceful... No McMahon line ... Only one world. But with advance of technology the world has become small and conflicts are witnessed not only between believers and non-believers, but also between different sects of the same faith," he said.

"Although we Buddhists don't believe in god or creator but we do not interfere in the faith of others who are believers," he said.

"Wherever I go I express my views on my main concern -- how to build a happier society," he said.

"Occasionally as a Tibetan Lama it is my duty to talk about Tibetan philosophy. Whenever I meet Buddhists from India, China, Japan, Mongolia and south east Asian countries, it is my duty to explain what Buddha Dharma is."

Stating that the Dalai Lama institution came into being six hundred years ago, he said he had made it clear as early as 1969 that whether it would cease functioning after his death or would be decided by the majority of Tibetans.

"The institution of Dalai Lama may not be relevant after his death. But that will not stop him to take rebirth.