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On September 17, at the invitation of the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) School, Chauntra, Guru Vajradhara the 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa graced the 8th Major Dialectical Meet of Tibetan Schools. In his address, Guru Vajradhara talked about the importance of the study of dialectics to a large audience, which included: the TCV Director, teachers, staff and students of eight Tibetan Schools; all teachers, staff and students of TCV Chauntra; representatives of various Tibetan associations; and the general public from the local Tibetan community. Guru Vajradhara emphasized that the study of dialectics should not be limited to monastic institutions, because logic and reasoning are essential tools in the search for Truth. Dialectical studies comprise the study of commentaries composed by two great scholars of Nalanda – Dignaga and Dharmakirti – on pramana (the science of valid cognition), along with other practical and comprehensive major texts on dialectics. Pramana serves as a means to understand the meaning of all the Buddha’s teachings on the Tripitaka and the four classes of Tantra. He pointed out that the way the young students are presently engaging in the study of dialectics and developing the skills of deductive reasoning fulfils the sacred intentions of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and carries on the legacy of past great Buddhist Masters. Their ongoing learning in this field will eliminate hindrances to all their present and long term undertakings, and will be especially beneficial now in the 21st century, when science is regarded as the highest authority. Therefore, he encouraged all the teachers and students to apply great diligence and determination in the continual improvement and development of dialectical studies. This is because the essence of the Buddha’s teachings – loving kindness, compassion, knowledge and wisdom – are an indispensable foundation of happiness and well-being for all human beings, irrespective of whether they belong to any world religion or not. Guru Vajradhara further advised that we all should contemplate the life examples of past great Masters and continually engage in the study of traditional Buddhist sciences in order not to fall under the influence of ideologies and behaviours that harm our society, instead doing our best to develop positive, virtuous and harmonious qualities.
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