Unless a guru is really qualified, he is not a guru, says the Dalai Lama

He is just six months away from his 80th birthday. But the 14th Dalai Lama, Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso, is as child-like as ever. Whether talking about sombre issues or admiring a new head gear, the Nobel laureate maintains a jovial disposition. His camaraderie and contagious laughter were more than evident as he was chaperoned from one venue to another in Surat last week to receive the Shree Ramkrishna Foundation's seventh Santokbaa Award. Through the day, the Dalai Lama spoke on a range of issues — from religious conversions to what he does in his free time. Excerpts:

You spend hours in meditation. What does meditation mean to you?
That's a secret! You see, there are two types of meditation — one is single point meditation, which is not what I do much. And the other is, what in Sanskrit is referred to as Vipassana, an investigation of the self. That is my main practice. To analyse. Everything. This is unique to the Mahayana school of Buddhism — to analyse what is 'I', what is the 'self'. When you do a thorough analysis, you will realise that you can't find independent identity for the 'self'. I usually meditate for five hours every day. The day begins at 3am and as soon as I wake up, immediately, the mind starts thinking — about the very nature of the self, of the body and of the whole world.
This is very important because all destructive emotions, such as anger, jealousy and so on, are based on grasping the independent self. Once you understand that there is no independent self then all the destructive emotions, become weaker. This is very helpful. After years of experience, now when I look at you, I am able to see you as a mirage, not as an independent existence. But this is something for Buddhists, not for journalists (laughs).

Will you be the last Dalai Lama?
The Dalai Lama institution is nearly 14 centuries old. Some people feel this institution is very crucial for Buddhism and for Tibet, but that's not the case. Buddhism has existed for thousands of years and the Dalai Lama institution for just a few centuries. Institutions, such as the Dalai Lama's, are not set in stone and can be discontinued — there's no problem with that. Tibetan spiritual leaders gather periodically, and recently at one such gathering, there was talk of the future of the Dalai Lama institution. At the time, we decided that we will finalise the future of the institution when my age is around 90.

As early as in 1969, I stated in one of my official statements that whether the very institution should continue or not should be left to the people to decide. If people feel that this institution is no longer relevant, then it will automatically cease to exist. I often tell people that as the 14th Dalai Lama, I am not concerned about the Dalai Lama institution. It seems the Chinese communist government is more concerned about the Dalai Lama institution. Because in the Dalai Lama's tradition, he heads both — the temple and the society. So (it is natural that) the Chinese are paying more attention (to the future of the institution). In 2001, we (the Tibet government in exile) achieved elected political leadership after which my role was that of a semi-retired leader. And in 2011, I completely retired — not just myself but the centuries-old tradition that the Dalai Lama must automatically become head of the temple and the society.

How do you react to incidents involving allegations against people like Asaram Bapu?
Unless a guru is really qualified, he is not a guru. Otherwise, a 'guru' can hypnotise his followers. This can lead to exploitation. I am Buddhist. I too practise faith. But blind faith is dangerous. We have the right to check whether a person who claims to be a guru is in fact qualified or not. That is important. For instance, in my case, I've studied all the Buddhist scriptures in the Mahayana school of Nagarjuna master. Unless you are truly convinced, don't develop a guru tradition.

There has been much controversy over religious conversion recently. What is your view?
You see, various things are related. There is no problem if conversion is voluntary. For at least the last four centuries, many Muslims in Tibet have converted to Buddhism, but not by force. It's been their independent decision. Sometimes, people may deliberately try to stop the influence of one religion over another over its population. But that poses a risk, and is wrong. The concept of 'one religion, one truth' is outdated. I always make it clear that the 'one religion, one truth' approach can apply to an individual, but not to an entire community. For a community, there can be several truths and several religions. Particularly now, when there are so many religions in the world. We have to accept that as a fact. In their teachings, all religions carry the same message — of humanity, tolerance and self-restraint.

Now that you are on Twitter, do you feel social media helps in spreading your message?
These (social media tools) are helpful to bring information to different parts of the world and that is an immense help to develop wider knowledge about events. I neither view social media as positive or negative. It is up to the user to use it constructively.

What do you do in your free time?
Sleep. I sleep 8-9 hours every day. I am now nearly 80-years-old, but consider myself a student. Since childhood, I have had the habit of being curious. Whenever I see something (new), I am always curious to know why (it works the way it does), how (does it work), etc. It's helpful to inquire into reality.

What's your message to people?
Be a good human being. Stay true to your faith.

The writer was in Surat at the invitation of SRK Foundation, which presented the Santokbaa Award to the Dalai Lama and made a donation of Rs 25 lakh to the Dalai Lama Charitable Trust