Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama today encouraged people to donate organs saying it was a serious practice of "dharma" and the greatest service to mankind.
"Organ donation is a serious practice of dharma. It is possible to donate a part of your liver and kidney, as with modern expertise donating does not mean sacrificing your own life," said the Dalai Lama while addressing a gathering here to commemorate 16th Hepatitis Day.
"It is better to offer your organ to poor and needy people rather than let it dry in a coffin," he said.
Exhorting doctors to follow their duty with compassion and determination, he said medical expertise will only eradicate illness.
"God's blessing is not sufficient. A doctor's expertise is very essential. Only modern knowledge of disease causing virus and causes of illness and technology and not just prayer can cure the illness," he said.
The Dalai Lama stressed on the need for implementing preventive measures like vaccination against Hepatitis and said it will go a long way in reducing the illness.
"Preventive measure should not be neglected. In India millions of people remain poor so we must recruit people in those areas. Besides that one should cut down on alcohol and smoking. Smoking is one the greatest killers of human beings globally. Your illness is your own creation, so you are responsible for your problems," Dalai Lama said.
The Dalai Lama called for taking development to India's villages and remote areas for the real transformation of the country.
"I see huge development in cities of India, but the real transformation must come from rural side. Education and health will make a significant contribution in that respect," he said.
