'Education system focuses on making us run after materialistic things,' says Dalai Lama suggesting a specific inclusion to the curriculum

Addressing delegates from over 35 countries at a global conference of educators on Saturday, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said that in order to achieve disarmament externally, people must first accomplish "internal disarmament".

He asserted that the subject of compassion should be considered as an important part of the curriculum in schools.

"The 20th century saw a lot violence and killings, World War I, World War II and other sufferings. In today's world too, violence is taking place and money being spent on making destructive weapons to create more fear and hatred," the Dalai Lama said.

He pitched a solution, saying that problems can be resolved through dialogue and simple methods of peace rather than taking up the harsher way and trying to resolve them through acts of violence.

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The Dalai Lama further highlighted how anger only leads to destruction.

"Achieving disarmament in the external world is important but first we humans must achieve internal disarmament, that is also important," the 83-year-old spiritual leader said, adding, "Anger is of no use, it only leads to destruction."

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Explaining the importance of harmony among the individuals of a country, he said that we all must work towards making a peaceful 21st century. This task must be undertaken by the younger generations with their fresh and thoughtful minds.

"The young generation... must begin work towards making a peaceful 21st century," he added.

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The spiritual leader reiterated that the 21st century should be a "century of peace, non-violence and compassion".

"Our eduction system focuses on making us run after materialistic things. Compassion should be part of the curriculum, and one can begin with basic education on that subject as one does with other subjects like maths and science and languages. It is important to make out children compassionate towards fellow human beings as they grow up," he said.

(With PTI inputs)