Tibetans are the chelas (disciples) of India as they learned Buddhism from this country, according to their spiritual guru Dalai Lama.

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“Over the years, we’ve proved to be the most reliable chelas. When a chela is in trouble, it should be the guru who should be out in the front for help,” said Dalai Lama addressing the students of St Joseph’s College on Sunday.

With his usual charm and sense of humour, he not only kept the students to their seat but made serious observations on the current global scene. He said 20th century witnessed over 200 million violent deaths and it was time the youth changed the history of the 21st century.

“The continuation of violence in 21st century is the outcome of the mistakes we have made in the 20th. Ten years have passed and we have just 90 years left to correct those mistakes,” he said.

Although he refrained from making any political statements, he was able to leave an impact on over 1,000 students gathered to hear him. He appealed to the students to take a holistic view of the world, especially science and education.

“A person has to learn from others and analyse what he or she has done. If you do this, you will have the conviction to stand up for what you believe in,” he said.

He pointed out that although in a multi-ethnic society like India, drifts are common among various religious, ethnic and linguistic groups, the country’s religious tolerance is a great lesson for the world.

However, he expressed grief over discrimination based on caste, social classes and dowry-related issues. “It is time Indians raise their voice against caste, dowry and discriminations which still prevail,” he said.

To a question on how to surmount materialistic desires, he said that if one kissed a diamond a ring, the ring would not tell him anything but if one patted a kitten with love, it would wag its tail in affection.

“I have seen men with vast wealth. But none of them are happy in life. It is affection what gives people peace. It is the love of our mother when we were small that is the reason for the goodness in us. If mothers are replaced by machines, I do not think we would have been the same,” he said.

The principal of St Joseph’s college, in his address, compared Dalai Lama to Mahathma. “Like Mahathma Gandhi, you too are a Mahathma for what you stand for,” he said amid applause from the audience.