Blind to Bounds

Mullah vs Dalai Lama

A couple of weeks ago Dalai Lama the spiritual leader of the Tibetan Sect of Buddhism announced his intentions to retire from his position.

Dalai Lama (Dalai meaning Ocean of wisdom; Lama means the spiritual leader) is now 75 and has been the spiritual leader since the age of two.

A recipient of the Nobel Peace prize for his non-violent efforts to liberate Tibet, he has been living in India as an exile leader for the last 52 years.
Despite half a century of struggle for an independent Tibet, one does not see in him any frustration, bitterness or helplessness and the thought of resorting to violence to liberate his homeland.

‘“If there is love, there is hope to have real families, real brotherhood, real equanimity, real peace. If the love within your mind is lost, if you continue to see other beings as enemies, then no matter how much knowledge or education you have, no matter how much material progress is made, only suffering and confusion will ensue.”

Is it not tragic that unlike him, the preachers of my faith Islam ( which also means ‘peace ‘) either justify violence verbally or endorse it by their criminal silence.

Dalai Lama believes that the “common aim of all religions, an aim that everyone must try to find, is to foster tolerance, altruism and love.”

He defends Islam and says , “has been misunderstood due to some mischievous people who happened to have an Islamic background,” referring to the September 11 “event”.

Talking on non violence at Memorial Church in Cambridge, in 2009 he said:
“Islam like any other major tradition. I think the very praising Allah means love, infinite love, compassion, like that. I understand Islam, they usually carry rosary, all 99 beads, different name of Allah, all refer compassion, or these positive things. No religion, no religious tradition say their god is full of hatred, full of anger, nobody say that. So Allah means infiniteness of love..”

And on Jehad he believes: “Jehad is not a medium of attack. There is a need to break this false notion as Jehad actually means to conquer the evil within individuals. Life is not easy and there is no guarantee, young individuals must have a vision to take it forward in a constructive manner.”

How I wish that my own clergy too saw Islam in the same light like an outsider Dalai Lama so rightly does.

Is it not ironic that a priest from a faith who’s God (Buddha) was blasted off with dynamite in Bamiyan despite international pleas against it, has no bitterness but all support for my faith and still calls Islam the Religion of Peace?

To all mankind he says:
“Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn’t anyone who doesn’t appreciate kindness and compassion. “
How I wish Mullah of my faith had even a fraction of compassion and respect for other religions or even other sects as he has.
On the China Tibet conflict he calls for The Middle-Way Approach to peacefully resolve the issue of Tibet and to bring about stability and co-existence between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples based on equality and mutual co-operation.

Is it not tragic that although Quran too mentions the Sirat Al Mustaqeem (exactly in the same spirit as the Middle Way, ), but alas, my mullahs hardly ever remember to quote this instead of the quotes on killing the blasphemers and punishing the infidels.

Dalai Lama envisions a nuclear free world and during the Nobel Laureates Summit in Hiroshima in 2008, he said:
“ I hope that the two cities be the first and last places to experience nuclear bomb, and that the world will never see another Hiroshima and Nagasaki. …. Concept of war is outdated, defeat of your enemy is no longer your victory. Destruction of your neighbour is destruction of yourself. “

Talking on Poverty, he said:
“I call upon G8 leaders and their advisers to consider and reflect upon the consequences of their thoughts, decisions and actions. Do they and will they contribute to the well-being of all human beings and the planet?”

How I wish my Mullahs too had the wide horizon and a broad outlook to see beyond their tubular visions and learned to think for the greater good of humanity.

Dalai Lama ‘s words spell nothing but love, his heart is filled with nothing but compassion and his eyes reflect nothing but hope .

My mullahs speak nothing but hatred and bigotry and they don’t even give a smile.

He is an incredible leader who wishes for himself:
May I become at all times,
Both now and for ever,
A protector for the helpless,
A guide for the lost ones,
A ship for those to cross oceans,
And a bridge to cross rivers,
A sanctuary for those in danger,
A lamp for those in darkness,
A refuge for those who need shelter,
A servant to all in need.
~ Dalai Lama

I just wish that our misguided mullah gets a fraction of the greatness and sense of Dalai Lama, that a religious leader ought to have.

Or else let these mullah give my PEACEFUL FAITH ‘back to me, which they have hijacked so ruthlessly.

Dalai Lama does a better service than our own Mullahs to make my faith be known as a ‘Religion of Peace”.

I have no qualms if I offend any mullahs by saying so.

Yes, can I have some Dalai Mullah in my faith too?