I am Marxist, China is capitalist-communist, says Dalai Lama
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During an interaction with Mumbai students, the Tibetan spiritual leader talks about Marxism, the changing faces of China, world peace and more, reports N Ganesh.
In a statement that raised quite a few eyebrows, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said he has been influenced by the teachings of Marxism. He, however, went on to add that he is a Marxist only when it comes to the equal distribution of wealth among all.
The Dalai Lama was addressing a gathering of students and teachers at Mumbai University's Sir Cowasji Jehangir Hall in Mumbai on Friday. The Tibetan spiritual head was replying to a question from a student on capitalism and social work in the aftermath of recessionwhen he spoke on the subject of Marxism.
The Dalai Lama said he was influenced by the teachings of Marxism when he was a student in Peking (currently Beijing) in 1955. "I'm a Marxist as far as equal distribution of wealth is concerned," he said.
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Image: The Dalai Lama interacts with students at the Mumbai university
Photographs: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com
'China is no longer a communist or a socialist country'
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While acknowledging Marxism as important, he however used the opportunity to slam China. The Dalai Lama said China has moved away from Marxist principles. "China now is no longer a communist or a socialist country, it is a capitalist-communist country," he said.
The Buddhist monk also took a dig at Indian communists when he said, "I have not seen it, but I have been told that communists here are leading a very gorgeous lifestyle."
Photographs: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com
'India is the guru and Tibet its chela'
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"India is a peaceful country and I usually describe India as our guru and we are their chelas. We are real good chelas as we have preserved the ancient teachings of India for thousands of years," he said.
Photographs: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters
'India should do away with caste system, dowry'
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He, however, cautioned saying that old practices like caste system, discrimination, dowry should be removed from the Indian society and that the youth should take the lead in changing these "outdated practices".
Image: The Dalai Lama had the audience spell-bound
Photographs: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com
'The purpose of education is to reduce the gap between theory and reality'
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The Dalai, however, added that peace should come from within and he said education alone could not bring inner peace. "Some troublemakers are well-educated, they use education for destructive purposes. The purpose of education is to reduce the gap between theory and reality," he said.
Photographs: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com
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