Dalai Lama concerned over sectarian clashes in Middle East

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today rued sectarian clashes among Muslims in the Middle East, saying killing in the name of religion is unthinkable.

He emphasised that developing oneness amongpeople would solve various crisis the world is facing today.

Referring to countries like Afghanistan, Syria and other Islamic nations, the Dalai Lama said, "They all follow the same god Allah, same Quran, every day (offer) five time prayers. Yet they are killing each other. It's unthinkable, really.

Killing due to political power or economic interest is somewhat understandable. In the name of religion killing each other is unthinkable. But it is a fact and it is happening," he said.

The Dalai Lama was delivering a lecture here on the topic 'Courage and compassion in the 21st century', which was organised by Vana Foundation under their Vidyaloke initiative.

Emphasising that developing oneness among seven billion people is his major commitment, he was all praise for India for its religious harmony and tolerance.

Though the country has various homegrown religious traditions such as Sankhyaism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism besides Judaism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism and Islam, they had all settled here peacefully and harmoniously, he said.

"India is a big country with over a billion population, but religious tolerance, religious harmony are there. So therefore religious harmony is very much possible.

We always say India is the only example that different religioustraditions can live together," the Dalai Lama said.

He also hailed Shias and Sunnis living together in India peacefully in contrast with the situation in Muslim nations, where they often clash with each other.

The Tibetan leader rued that religion today has become a factor to divide people, whose job is to bring inner peace, love, forgiveness, tolerance and self-discipline.

The Dalai Lama also pointed out that his mission was to revive ancient Indian spiritual traditions in their original form, whether it be Buddhism, Jainism or Vedic traditions.

He urged people to understand the Nalanda tradition of Buddhism, which originated in India and is still preserved with the Tibetans.