Tokyo, Japan: “I think we can do it. We can bring smiles all around us,” said His Holiness the Dalai Lama to over 3,000 people in Tokyo, today.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama was speaking at a public dialogue with leading Japanese scientists themed, ‘The Future of Earth: A Dialogue between Buddhist Ethics and Modern Science.” The dialogue, first of its kind to be held in Japan was organised jointly by the Liaison office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Tibet House Japan), Shikoku Buddhist Association (Ehime?Kagawa?Kochi?Tokushima) and Okinawa Mahabodhi Association. 

His Holiness conveyed his ‘happiness’ at the opportunity to share his views with experts from Japan.

“In 2007, when I was here, I expressed my keenness on holding discussions with scientists and experts from the east, as traditionally, Buddhism has been more prevalent in these areas,” said His Holiness.

The panelists included renowned anthropologist Prof. Shinichi Takemura, Prof. Katsumi Hoshino, Prof. Hiroshi Tasaka of Tama University, Tokyo and Prof. Hiroshi Shimizu.

Expressing his views on the common responsibilities of the human kind in protecting the environment, His Holiness said that the issue of environment is beyond all national boundaries.

“We have just one blue planet and it is the responsibility of all human beings to protect it. Human beings have been the most mischievous species so it is our duty to learn from our past mistakes and experiences,” said His Holiness. “Technology has given us the false confidence that we can control everything. Yes, we can control the temperature of this hall but we cannot control the temperature of the world,” His Holiness added.

Deliberating on the world’s swelling need for energy and natural resources, Prof. Katsumi Hoshino mooted the ideas of ‘Buddhist Economy’ and ‘Small is beautiful’ to control desire and greed.

Responding to a query from Prof. Hiroshi Shimizu on ‘how to live and not just stay alive’ His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that he was hopeful of a more compassionate human society in the future, considering the lessons that the world today is learning from our violent history which ‘failed to solve our problems’.

His Holiness called the ‘growing importance that science is paying to inner development’ as encouraging signs of achieving a future of peaceful co-existence.

Acknowledging Prof. Hiroshi Tasaka’s suggestion of incorporating the new technologies of modern science with religion, His Holiness explained that Buddhism followed the basic tenets of science of ‘thorough investigation and careful examination before reaching any conclusion’.

His Holiness specifically mentioned that his dialogues with scientists were on the level of Buddhist sciences and not on the levels of Buddhist philosophy and religion. “Dialogues with scientists are not aimed at seeking their approval of the Buddhist belief of re-incarnation but to share our knowledge on vast subjects such as quantum physics, neurobiology and psychology,” said His Holiness.

Urging the younger generation to clearly understand the difficulties and challenges of the modern world without losing hope, His Holiness said, “Wake up younger generation. Think for a more meaningful life.”

During the question answer session, a Japanese introducing himself as a business man recently promoted to a higher managerial post in his company thanked His Holiness for relieving him from anxiety, depression and stress. “I have learned that I need to be patient and improve my inner strength. Now, I look forward to tomorrow. Thank you, your Holiness, you have encouraged me,” he said. 

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit the city of Takamatsu, capital of Shikoku prefecture, tomorrow.