Dharma session - Venerable Dorji Damdul la
In continuation of the Buddhist teachings at Shikshantar, Venerable Geshe Dorji Damdul la graciously accepted our invitation to share his wisdom with our children, parents and facilitators. In his session for Class VI on “Small Acts, Big Impact: The Magic of Compassion” and another for Class XI on “Role of Emotions in Secular Ethics and Ethical Decision-Making”, Geshe la shared how he finds joy in connecting with young boys and girls because it reminds him of his childhood.
Venerable greatly enjoyed the atmosphere of the school campus and advised the children to always be thankful to their parents and teachers for a school like Shikshantar.
Initiating the conversation for an interactive session, Geshe la shared that it will be a session of mutual learning. He also said that he will have lots to learn and take away from the children. This immediately struck a chord, forming an immediate bond between him and the children which was visible throughout the session. Geshe la began by asking the children what the Purpose of school was. He instantly had students wanting to answer his questions eagerly, which further took him to another question: What kind of growth is expected in schools? Further into the session, Geshe la led the children in understanding the importance of growth to fulfill one's dreams and getting ready for the real world. He took the session ahead talking about compassion and wisdom using the metaphor of a flying eagle that requires its two wings to fly well and fly high. He drew answers from children on how compassion, apology and inclusivity can resolve the most daunting conflicts, giving them tools to living well.
Geshe la further led the conversation to the importance of applying knowledge while approaching situations with patience and understanding. These traits are essential for all, especially in leadership roles. He advised the children to remember that unhappiness always emerges from external elements and will cease to exist if they can regulate their internal elements. The habit of finding solutions to problems around us can be achieved through observation and mastery of the five functions of our mind that help us perceive the world - Contact, Attention, Discrimination, Feeling, Intention. Examining these can help balance one’s mental state and make them a better leader. Among many other questions, when a child asked why material success is important if happiness comes from within, Geshe la clarified that it is important only so far as to fulfil one’s basic needs to sustain us in the pursuit of true inner happiness. Some children were curious to know why he chose to follow Buddhism. Geshe la responded that he follows all religions and is a teacher of humanism above all. He advised the children as the leaders of the new world to also spread the religion of compassion and wisdom. When another child asked how these traits can be applied effectively in the real world, Geshe la shared that it can be achieved through observation and mastery of the five functions of our mind that help us perceive the world - Contact, Attention, Discrimination, Feeling, Intention.
At the end of the session, the children presented Geshe la with handmade cards expressing their gratitude. Venerable responded in kind by presenting the school with a beautiful thangka, bringing the enlightening discussion to a close.