Welcome to Manipur International University

I am pleased to convey my congratulations to you all on the inauguration of Manipur International University.

Your University will fulfil an important need not just in Manipur but also throughout the northeast region of India and beyond. Higher education provides the key to opportunities for realising our own welfare. More importantly, it can help develop the ability of an individual to serve our community, our nation, and above all, our family of humanity.

In this twenty first century, the quality of research into both the inner and physical world has reached a very high level, thanks to tremendous strides in technology. However, the world is also facing problems, many of which are of our own making. Destructive emotions such as greed, hatred, and jealousy, which I believe are the root of the self-inflicted problems our society faces. Regrettably, modern education, oriented as it is towards training us to attain material goals, has little to offer to help us counter these mental problems. I believe that just as we teach physical hygiene, we must cultivate emotional hygiene, as we need to be both physically and mentally fit by familiarising with the positive aspects like warm-heartedness compassion and tolerance.

Therefore, as your University begins imparting education, I feel you can incorporate teachings from India’s own ancient wisdom, including its practices for cultivating a calm abiding mind (shamatha) and the wisdom of special insight (vipasana) in order to generate a deep understanding of the workings of the mind. Ancient Indian knowledge encouraged compassion (karuna) and non-violence (ahimsa). I believe these to be not only the basis of India’s remarkable religious pluralism, with many religious traditions living together harmoniously, but also needed for the community development. We must teach about the importance of safeguarding our planet, our only home. Students should learn to cultivate compassion not only for our fellow human beings, but also for other living beings with whom we share this precious home.

I hope that Manipur International University will continuously aim to train younger generations to develop the tools and abilities to serve others and benefit the whole of humanity. A11 major faith traditions counsel love, compassion, and forgiveness. Each of the religions of the world has the potential to foster peace of mind, which is why I respect them all and seek to encourage religious harmony. Despite differences in our philosophical views, we can all help each other by being more warm-hearted and compassionate, and deepening our sense of concern for the well-being of all forms of life. We must help others whenever we can, and should, at the very least, refrain from harming them.

I am also pleased to learn that the University proposes to have a Centre for Tibetan Medicine & Astrology. This alternative medicine system will certainly enable the Students and the community alike to appreciate the importance of a holistic approach to treatment.

With my prayers and good wishes, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

23 May 2019, Dharamshala