GANGTOK, Nov 9 - Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and his wife, Sardha Tamang, called on the Dalai Lama at Dharamshala and sought his blessings on Friday.
During their meeting, the Tibetan spiritual leader stressed on studying Buddhist texts in order to have control over human emotions like anger and hatred.
Ruing that India has lost the �Nalanda tradition�, the Dalai Lama expressed his commitment to reviving the ancient Indian knowledge. He was of the opinion that modern India requires this ancient knowledge and hence, it should be revived.
The Dalai Lama also talked extensively about �Kangyur� (the translated words of the Buddha) and �Tengyur� (the translated treatises).
These texts, considered to be the �word of the Buddha�, are the records not only of the Buddha�s own discourses, but also of teachings and explanations given by others � often by his close disciples with his approval, or by other enlightened beings.
The Dalai Lama also emphasised on teaching Sanskrit for studying age-old Indian texts.
The Chief Minister told the Dalai Lama that his Government has accorded top priority to teaching Sanskrit, and appointed 170 Sanskrit teachers in schools across the State.
Tamang invited the Dalai Lama to visit Sikkim and the latter accepted it. The Dalai Lama has expressed his desire to visit Sikkim next summer.
It may be recalled that the Tibetan spiritual leader had congratulated Tamang on his party�s historic win in the Assembly elections in May this year, which ended the 25-year reign of former Chief Minister Pawan Chamling and his Sikkim Democratic Front in the Himalayan State.
In a letter to Tamang, the Dalai Lama had stated that �during my visits to Sikkim over the years, the people of Sikkim have shown me affection and warm hospitality, which I very much appreciated. The kindness and enthusiasm with which I have been received vividly reminded me of the strong emotions I felt during my first visit in 1956.�
There is a sizable Tibetan community residing in the Himalayan State of Sikkim.
