Preaching and Practising

Non-violence

from SUSHRI NIRMALA DESHPANDE

Chairperson, All India Constructive Society,

New Delhi

and

PROF. SAMDHONG RINPOCHE

Chairman, Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies

Dharamsala (HP.)

Contact address :

A-223, Pandara Road,

New Delhi, India

Phones : (011) 338-5044/338-9078/611-4849

Fax: 91-11-6114858

Dear Friends,

The human history is full of war and violence. Peace and happiness sometimes appear but are rare and shortlived.

The process of human development has not succeeded in either humanising the heart or disciplining the mind to an extent necessary for living in peace and happiness and let others live likewise. The aberrations in social behaviour are too pronounced to merit any further emphasis.

The 20th century has witnessed unprecedented development in science and technology. It has witnessed two world wars, and produced weapons of mass destruction capable of annihilating our world several times over. Sadly, the wielders of such weapons boast of being "world powers". The destruction of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the holocaust inflicted by the Nazis, the human and cultural genocide in Tibet, and the Tiananmen Square massacre, are perhaps the ugliest instances of human cruelty in this century.

The effects of World War 11 led to serious introspection and reflection resulting in the formation of the United Nations to establish global peace and security and take preventive measures to avoid a II World War which could lead to annihilation of the world. A ray of hope was kindled for a better world-order. But 50 years' saga of human history is so full of bloody conflicts between nations, races and peoples that the very existence ofU.N. is jeopardized. Violation of human rights and degradation of human dignity is ad galore.

The inevitable question that comes to mind is why should humanity suffer so deeply, despite its great intelligence and wealth ? The obvious answer is that science, technology and general material development alone, no matter how wonderful, are inadequate to give peace and happiness. Material development must be balanced and enriched with spiritual development to achieve lasting peace and stability in the world.

Human suffering is not merely a political, economic or social problem to be resolved by experimenting with systems and introducing policy decisions. The innumerable faces of human suffering in the lives of individuals, families, communities, nations all arise from a very deep and common source i.e. 'spiritual deficiency', resulting in delusion, hatred and violence. Human suffering is fundamentally a spiritual problem.

People in general respond to violence with violence resulting in escalation of violence and problems. The Buddha has rightly said,

"Hatred never cease (cannot be destroyed) by Hatred in this world. By love alone do they cease. This is an ancient Law."

Dhammapada II/V

In modem times, Mahatma Gandhi preached, practised and demonstrated how human problems can be resolved through non-violence. He wrote,

"Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man. Destruction is not the law of the humans. Man lives freely by his readiness to die, if need be, at the hands of his brother, never by killing him."

Harijan, July 20, 1935

Gandhiji's life has influenced many other great persons, such as, Martin Luther King, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan and Nelson Mandela. Today, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is upholding the legacy of Gandhiji by his total commitinent to non-violence in his struggle for liberating the Tibetan people from unbearable oppression and atrocities.

People easily loose faith in non-violence because it does not catch the attention of the world immediately and effectively. Therefore, it is important that those people who believe in non-violence stand up and be active supporters of the path of non-violence. To sit idle and not condemn a wrong action tantamounts to supporting it. Ancient Indian scriptures describe three categories of violent acts :

(1)Direct violence, (2) Indirect violence, and (3) Violence by approval of violence.

If we do not oppose every kind of violence around us, we are indulging ourselves in violence. Nobel Laureate Eli Weasel, whilereceiving Nobel Peace Prize, stated,

"Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the Tormentor, never the tormented".

Keeping in mind the above mentioned facts, some of us sat together in Dharamsala from May 14, 1995 (Buddha Jayanti) for 3 days and nights praying, meditating and discussing how to practise non-violence in our day-to-day life. During this Satsang, among other things, we were inspired to launch a movement to recommit ourselves to nonviolence and to promote solidarity with all people engaged in the non-violent movement including His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the people of Tibet.

1995 is a significant year. It is Mahatma Gandhi's 125th birth anniversary, Acharya Vinova Bhave's birth centenary, and the Dalai Lama's 60th birth anniversary. Acharya Vinova Bhave spoke of 3 virtues : Non-violence (Ahimsa), Love (Prem) and Compassion (Karuna). In accordance with their teachings, we have decided to launch a campaign to rededicate ourselves to non-violence at a global level on the Gandhi Jayanti Day (2nd October, 95), the eve of the Christmas (24th December, 95), and the Buddha Jayanti (3rd May, 96).

You are invited to organise or to join on the above mentioned dates for a day long programme, or at least a 2 hour programme., in your locality. The programme shall be planned as follows :

I . Participants shall assemble at an appropriate public place such as squares, town halls, stadiums, churches, temples or parks.

2. The meeting place must display a picture of Mahatma

Gandhi and Dalai Lama on October 2, 1995, a picture of

Jesus Christ and Dalai Lama on December 24, 1995, and

a picture of Buddha and Dalai Lama on May 3, 1996.

3.Suggestive statements to be displayed on banners and/

orplacards are mentioned at the end of this folder.

The programmes may consist of prayers, meditation,

silent march, speeches, songs or cultural programmes, etc. The speakers and other performers should be chosen from amongst those persons having conviction for truth and nonviolence. Participants should not use any unparliamentary and disrespectful words against anyone including the Chinese authorities. Our approach has to be positive based on love and compassion for all people. The people all over the world are our brothers and we seek their cooperation in fighting a non-violent battle against wrong policies of their respective governments. Non-violence transcends all barriers - national, social, political, ethnic and geographical. For a truthful expression of solidarity with the nonviolent struggle of Tibetan people - a spiritual endeavour for liberation (Mukti Sadhana) under the leadership of H.H. the Dalai Lama, the spirit of non-violence has to prevail.

We will appreciate if you could make an appeal in writing signed by all the participants and send them to the Chinese authoritiesand to other international organizations.

An acknowledgement of this communication and information about the final programme which you are going to organise at your place on the above mentioned dates will be appreciated. We will also welcome a report about the programmes arranged and cuttings of print media coverage may be sent to us for our record.

Due to extremely limited financial resources, we will not be able to send frequent communications. However, if you require any clarification or information, please do not hesitate to write to us. We are confident that we will receive your fullest co-operation in the launching of this movement and we will be able to re-establish non-violence as the only means to resolve the problems of the world.

May the Buddha, the Christ and Mahatma Gandhi bless all sentient beings.

(S. Rinpoche) (Nirmala Deshpande)

STATEMENTS FOR DISPLAY:

a.We oppose all forms of violence.

b.We oppose human rights violations, environmental destruction and exploitation of people and nature.

c.We oppose totalitarianism, dictatorships, and the suppression of civil rights.

d.We oppose destruction of culture, language and identity of people.

e.We express our whole hearted solidarity with the non-violent movement of H.H. the Dalai Lama and the people of Tibet.

f.Salute to Gandhi and Dalai Lama, apostles of Non-violence.

g.People of the world unite to establish a non-violent world.

h.Let the Roof of the World-Tibet remain a spiritual place.

i.No power is greater than non-violence and love.

j.Let compassion unite the whole humanity.

k.Truth and non-violence, are our real strength.