'Violence, starvation exist due to negligence, rich-poor gap'

A lot of problems, mainly violence and starvation, exist due to negligence and a "huge gap" between the rich and the poor, the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama said here today.
During his address on the "art of happiness", the monk said that harmony among different faiths exists in India, which is unique in world.
"All religions peacefully live together (in India). Occasionally, there are some problems mainly due to politicians...So that also is understandable. (There are) some mischievous persons in human beings (sic)," the Dalai Lama said in a lighter vein, evoking peals of laughter.
Acknowledging existence of strife, he said, "(In) today's world, (there are) lot of problems...From the major disasters (which are) beyond control. But many problems, mainly violence, killing and starvation, are due to negligence and (due to) a huge gap between the rich and the poor."

The Dalai Lama hailed the peaceful co-existence of various faiths in India.
"Bharat, this country..I think (since) over 2000 years, besides homegrown religions, Christianity, Islam from outside have coexisted peacefully and remained...I think that is unique. This does not exist in any other country," he said.

The Tibetan spiritual head appealed to Indians to show to outside world that different traditions can thrive together.
He advocated religious harmony in the midst of strife over beliefs in world.
"All religions preach love and compassion. No religion says that God is full of anger. The God is full of love. We are children of such a compassionate father (God). Basis of all religions is harmony.. Mutual respect," he added.

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Stating that religions act like medicines that destroy diseases, the Dalai Lama said, "I never say that Buddhism is the best religion."
He underlined the need of such education system that will be based on secularism, inner values, love and compassion, and not on any religion.
"Existing education system is materialistic which is not adequate..My first Guru to teach love was my mother. My mother was very kind. I never saw her angry, unlike my father who was short-tempered," he recalled.
At times, I use to pull his moustache and he used to beat me up, the Dalai Lama said in a lighter vein.

He said love and affection start from bosom of mother.
"Mother cuddles her newborn child and the infant starts reciprocating love. People who don't get this love get angry and (they) grow up with mistrust, according to studies," the Dalai Lama said, adding that happiness cannot be bought in any supermarket.
He lauded Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for creating a department of Happiness last year.
Observing that "varna dharma" is outdated," he said that the caste-based system was based on a feudal mindset and was aimed at exploiting farmers.
He recalled instances of ill treatment meted out to members of so-called lower castes in India in past.

"...Now time has come for different spiritual leaders to create a voice that all are equal...Dr B R Ambedkar had made great contribution..Wonderful," he said.