HH Dalai Lama's visit to Woodstock School, Mussoorie Part 1
His Holiness the Dalai lama visited Woodstock School, Mussoorie, on 16th September, 2012.
Woodstock is the oldest international boarding school in Asia, and is regularly ranked as number one in India in peer and parent surveys (Education World 2008, 2009, 2011).
For almost 160 years it has offered a first-class, college-preparatory education to students from around the world. Today, more than 500 students and 150 staff live and work together on our 250 acre campus high in the first range of the Himalayas. Woodstock School was founded by Christian people in 1854, and for the majority of its history primarily served the needs of missions and families engaged in social service in India. This heritage continues today in the school's commitment to values of excellence, personal responsibility and service, and in our special calling to continue to educate the children of families in Christian or public service - a purpose to which we devote substantial student financial aid.
The school's values are common to many other educational institutions: the development of moral character, self-esteem and a sense of responsibility; the fulfillment of academic and leadership potential; critical, analytical and independent thinking; well-rounded, balanced and healthy living; appreciation for what is true, good and beautiful in one's own and other cultures. We believe that Woodstock provides a physical, social and spiritual environment in which these values can be more than just words, but can become part of the lives of our students.
"The 14th Dalai Lama urged students and staff at Woodstock School to remember their common humanity rather than seeing difference in religion or nationality, during a visit to the school on Sunday (September 16).
Addressing a large audience in the school's Win Mumby gym, the Dalai Lama, who was visiting Woodstock for the fourth time since his exile from Tibet in 1959, said sometimes we are guilty of forgetting "we are fundamentally human beings and brothers and sisters".
His Holiness the Dalai Lama recognised the international diversity of Woodstock, a place "with students from many different countries, where students stay and study to become brothers and sisters,". He added he was "very happy" to be back at the school.
He stressed that people should not be divided in today's globalised economy, as "we're the same people; national boundaries and religious differences are not important".
The Nobel Peace Prize winner urged the audience to act with compassion and forgiveness, whether this was motivated by religious faith or a common humanity.
He also warned the audience to take seriously the issue of global warming, which would affect future generations. He concluded by encouraging the audience to stay positive, as "everybody loves a smile".
Tibetan students at Woodstock welcomed the Dalai Lama by singing the Tibetan national anthem. He was then welcomed by Woodstock School Principal Dr Jonathan Long who described the Nobel Laureate as "a man of peace and compassion, deeply committed to non-violence, a respected world leader and a voice for humanity".
After his speech the His Holiness was asked a series of questions by six Woodstock students, before extending the question time to the wider audience.
He reminisced about his time in Mussoorie in 1959 after first fleeing Tibet and frequently had the crowd in fits of laughter as he made a number of self-deprecating jokes.
When the 77-year-old was asked about how he kept his youthful vigour, he answered this was normally something he kept "top secret", but revealed a good eight to nine hours "sound, peaceful sleep" at night was helpful. He also said the key to good physical health was a healthy mind and a positive mental attitude.
Before His Holiness left Woodstock, Dr Long and his wife Sue presented the Dalai Lama with gifts.
The Dalai Lama then greeted a number of the audience members before returning to Happy Valley where he is taking part in the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Tibetan Homes Schools Foundation."
Source - http://www.woodstockschool.in/page.cfm?p=1
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