Covid, a mother Earth’s lesson to human beings in universal responsibility: Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama on Wednesday compared ongoing global fight against Covid-19 pandemic with a “lesson in universal responsibility” being taught to human beings by mor Earth and stressed upon need to realise importance of sustainable development. “On this 50th anniversary of Earth Day, our planet is facing one of greatest challenges to health and well-being of its people,” said Dalai Lama, ding: “And yet, in midst of this struggle, we are reminded of value of compassion and mutual support.” “ current global pandemic threatens us all, without distinctions of race, culture or , and our response must be as one humanity, providing for most essential needs of all,” he said.

Drawing upon Indian culture of treating entire world as one big family – Vasudahiav Kutumbkam, Dalai Lama said, “Wher we like it or t, we have been born on this earth as part of one great family.” “Rich or poor, educated or uneducated, belonging to one nation or ar, ultimately each of us is just a human being like everyone else,” he said.

“Furrmore, we all have same right to pursue happiness and avoid suffering. When we recognize that all beings are equal in this respect, we automatically feel empathy and closeness towards ors,” he said.

“And, out of this comes a genuine sense of universal responsibility: wish to actively help ors overcome ir problems,” said Dalai Lama, ding: “Our mor earth is teaching us a lesson in universal responsibility.” “This blue planet is a delightful habitat. Its life is our life; its future, our future. Indeed, earth acts like a mor to us all; as her children, we are dependent on her,” he said, ding “In face of global problems we are going through it is important that we must all work toger.

Stressing upon need to realise criticality of sustainable development, he said, “I came to appreciate importance of environmental concern only after escaping from Tibet in 1959, where we always considered environment to be pure.” “Whenever we saw a stream of water, for instance, re was worry about wher it was safe to drink. Sly, mere availability of clean drinking water is a major problem throughout world today,” he pointed out.

“We must ensure that sick and valiant health-care providers throughout world have access to fundamental necessities of clean water and proper sanitation to prevent uncontrolled spre of disease. Hygiene is one of bases of effective health care,” he ded.

“Sustainable access to properly equipped and staffed health-care facilities will help us meet challenges of current pandemic that ravs our planet,” he said. Dalia Lama, however, saw present global versity as an opportunity.

“It will also offer one of strongest defences against future public health crises. I understand that se are precisely objectives set forth in United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that dress challenges to global health,” he said.

“As we face this crisis toger, it is imperative that we act in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation in order to provide for pressing needs, particularly of our less fortunate brors and sisters around world,” he said.

“I hope and pray that in days ahe, each of us will do all we can to create a happier and healthier world,” he ded.

(Picture credit: AP)