Major issues faced by society ranging from food justice to gender issues and conflict resolution finds place in a new book by Tibetan Buddhist religious leader Ogyen Trinley Dorje.
Dorje, who is the 17th Karmapa and heads one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism, says he wrote the book based on a month-long dialogue he had with a group of university students from the US who traveled to Dharamsala in May of 2011 to learn from him.
Titled "In The Heart Is Noble" the book by Shambhala Publications was released here late last evening.
"We each bear an ethical responsibility to care for the society and planet on which we depend" said the author who goes on to explains ways to tap into the basic human capacity for compassion as a sustainable source of motivation in working for environmental and social justice.
Social activist Aruna Roy who was Chief Guest during the event said, "In a world marred by greed, contradictions and conflict, the teachings of this book hold great relevance.
"The future lies with the young, who bear great responsibility to be able to perceive how to act positively, to reduce inequalities and protect our environment. It is important to introspect and to recognizes our strengths to work towards harmony and peace," she said.
Roy, who recently withdrew from the National Advisory Council also quoted a passage from the book.
"Food is linked to our economic system, and our economic system themselves favour rich than poor. The underlining reason for their poverty is because they are marginalized. Food is governed by people in power, and parliament is yet to debate on the pending Food Bill," Roy read out.
The 14th Dalai Lama in a foreword hailed the book "as a demonstration of the contribution Buddhist ideas can make to contemporary conversation."
Meanwhile, the author stressed that "since nobody exists on isolation the principle of interdependence is very important."
"I may have certain responsibilities because I received the name and position of Karmapa, but we all have personal responsibilities based on what we receive from the world. If we connect with others with affection, our responsibility to bring about the change does not have to weigh heavily on us at all," said Dorje.
Author and diplomat Pavan K Varma, and environmental activist Vandana Shiva, were also present during the event.
