HYDERABAD: Dalai Lama who was at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy on Saturday said, “Islam is practiced in many parts of the world, but it is the local culture that defines how tolerant or intolerant they are.”
“The cultural heritage of the country or region plays a big role. For example, unlike the Muslims in China or other neighbors, those from India are peaceful and harmoniously co-exist with people of other faiths. It is the same religion but culture makes the difference,” the Tibetan spiritual head told 139 IPS probationers and 15 officer trainees from Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal at the event.
“In places like the Middle East, people have no contact with other religions. It is only when different religions mingle that tolerance becomes part of the ethos and people of different faiths live in harmony,” he said.
Apart from sharing his views on Indian Muslims he expressed his admiration for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and spoke about his decisive leadership and to the Indian Police for protecting the democratic set up of India. He acknowledged with gratitude the protection given to him by the Indian Police for the last 58 years.
He spoke about ‘Ahimsa’ and ‘Karuna’, that is non-violence and compassion and shared its importance.