Dharamshala: Under the coordination of the Department of Education (CTA), Geshe Lharampa Yeshi Gyaltsen, the department’s instructor for Secular Ethics Education, has successfully completed an awareness programme on ‘Secular Ethics’ for Tibetan students attending colleges in Southern and Northern India.
The programme was conducted over one week, from 1 to 7 October 2024, for Tibetan students at Tibetan Youth Hostel, Bangalore; Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education; Mysore University; Mangalore University; and Tibetan Youth Hostel, Delhi, reaching approximately 460 students and 30 staff members. During this series of awareness programmes, Geshe Lharampa Yeshi Gyaltsen introduced the philosophy, practical foundations, and origins of secular human ethics and explained the benefits of secular ethics in today’s conflicted society.
As the mental health challenges among today’s youth prevail, including stress, depression, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness, Geshe Lharampa Yeshi Gyaltsen explained that these mental difficulties primarily arise from greed, competitiveness, pride, and jealousy during his talks. He further shared insights on how to address these challenges according to Buddhist psychology.
Likewise, the programme elaborated on how a sense of oneness promotes justice, equality, and unity in society, helping create a community free from discrimination and oppression. Geshe Lharampa Yeshi Gyaltsen explained how empathy improves interpersonal relationships and fosters a desire to help others in difficulty, promoting social harmony and compassion. The programme also discussed how a sense of responsibility benefits individual growth, social welfare, and environmental protection, encouraging people to consider the consequences of their actions and motivating them to solve problems.
In feedback, the students responded positively and participated enthusiastically in the Q&A sessions, often resulting in time constraints. Some participants suggested organising more such programmes in the future.
This awareness program was sponsored by DANIDA.
