Buddhist spiritual leader says his dream is to see all countries in the world form into a single union

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama said that India can take the lead in bringing the world together applying its ancient wisdom and knowledge as it’s the only country in the world where all major religions of the world co-exist with mutual respect.

“My dream is that all countries in the world should form into one union as all European countries did to become European Union. Of course, it won’t materialise in this century, but a demilitarised world can be possible in the next century. However, we need to make an effort to have a dialogue with humane approach,” Dalai Lama said here on Sunday.

Any differences between communities, regions or countries could be resolved with dialogue, the Buddhist monk said and wished that this century should become the century of dialogue on different interests and views. “Killings and violence will never solve our problems and we should follow the path of ‘ahimsa’ (non-violence) with which Mahatma Gandhi had achieved independence to India,” the 14th Dalai Lama suggested.

Stating that he was one of the admirers of the concept of European Union, Dalai Lama felt that a similar spirit should lead Africa into an African Union to save a lot of money being spent on weapons by several sovereign states. Latin America too should develop into one union.

Referring to the talk of building a wall between US and Mexico by the new President of the US, Donald Trump, the Buddhist spiritual leader said in a lighter vein that Mexico should be part of the US (union). “In Asia, two giants China and India and the most industrialised country Japan should lead such a effort,” he suggested.

India with several home-grown religions and philosophies born out of Hinduism – Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism – could lead the rest of the world in working towards global harmony and also problems such as global warming. He also suggested that Muslims in India, who are second highest in numbers after Indonesia, take more proactive role in resolving Shia-Sunni problem.

He observed that things were changing as younger generations were against violence and showing sense of concern for others.

Earlier, Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, Deputy Chief Minister Md. Mahamood Ali, Minister for Industries and IT K. Taraka Rama Rao, Chief Secretary S.P. Singh and others participated in the ground-breaking ceremony of the Dalai Lama Centre. Mr. Rama Rao announced allotment of land and Rs. 5 crore grant for the proposed hub.