Himalaya
'The Himalayan region lies at the heart of Asia. Several of the continent’s great rivers rise there, so it is a source of life, sustaining hundred of millions of people in many lands, extending down to the distant surrounding oceans.
'The rugged landscape of the region and the challenges of the climate have made conditions for transport difficult. Consequently, the region has been slower to change than elsewhere. The people who live there place much less importance on time than the inhabitants of the teeming cities in other parts of the world. Taking a patient, unhurried approach to life is a natural part of the local character. Of course, I am most familiar with the Tibetan people, but I have observed throughout the Himalaya, people are similarly mild-mannered, easily contented, satisfied with whatever conditions are available, and resilient in the face of hardship. The rigors of the climate and environment contribute to this, but another significant factor has been the Buddhist culture that has flourished in the region for more than a thousand years…
'Many people have observed that the Himalayan people seem to have an unusually well developed sense of inner peace and hope. I am convinced that our Buddhist heritage, with its teachings of love, kindness, and tolerance, has contributed to this, especially the notion that all things are relative and impermanent, which is very helpful when we are faced with difficulties. The people of this region may not be wealthy in material terms, but we have traditionally had all we needed, and we rarely went hungry. More important, the sense of freedom and contentment that we have long enjoyed, combined with the strength we draw from the Buddha’s teachings, means that we have truly lived in peace…'
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama. From the foreword to, 'Himalaya: Personal Stories of Grandeur, Challenge, and Hope.'
'The rugged landscape of the region and the challenges of the climate have made conditions for transport difficult. Consequently, the region has been slower to change than elsewhere. The people who live there place much less importance on time than the inhabitants of the teeming cities in other parts of the world. Taking a patient, unhurried approach to life is a natural part of the local character. Of course, I am most familiar with the Tibetan people, but I have observed throughout the Himalaya, people are similarly mild-mannered, easily contented, satisfied with whatever conditions are available, and resilient in the face of hardship. The rigors of the climate and environment contribute to this, but another significant factor has been the Buddhist culture that has flourished in the region for more than a thousand years…
'Many people have observed that the Himalayan people seem to have an unusually well developed sense of inner peace and hope. I am convinced that our Buddhist heritage, with its teachings of love, kindness, and tolerance, has contributed to this, especially the notion that all things are relative and impermanent, which is very helpful when we are faced with difficulties. The people of this region may not be wealthy in material terms, but we have traditionally had all we needed, and we rarely went hungry. More important, the sense of freedom and contentment that we have long enjoyed, combined with the strength we draw from the Buddha’s teachings, means that we have truly lived in peace…'
- His Holiness the Dalai Lama. From the foreword to, 'Himalaya: Personal Stories of Grandeur, Challenge, and Hope.'