'Dalai Lama's focus has been on Dialogue': Geshe Dorji Damdul, Director of Tibet House | INTERVIEW

As global celebrations begin to mark the 90th birth anniversary of the Dalai Lama, Tibet House in New Delhi has launched a year-long tribute titled 'The Year of Compassion'. From academic lectures and film screenings to digital campaigns, the tribute highlights the Dalai Lama’s lifelong commitments: promoting human values, religious harmony, Tibetan culture, and the ancient Indian Nalanda tradition of philosophy and psychology. 

 

At the heart of these commemorations is Geshe Dorji Damdul, Director of Tibet House and long-time interpreter for the Dalai Lama. A respected scholar of Buddhist philosophy, Damdul has played a key role in making Tibetan Buddhist wisdom accessible to global and secular audiences. In an interview with THE WEEK, he speaks about the enduring relevance of compassion in today’s divided world, the deeper meaning of dialogue over dogma, and how ancient knowledge systems can address contemporary crises…

 

Tibet House is celebrating the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday as a ‘Year of Compassion’. What does compassion mean in the context of today’s fractured world?

 

This year marks the 90th birth Anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. A global symbol of compassion, dialogue, and hope, His Holiness continues to inspire millions around the world. People across continents are celebrating his legacy and message of compassion and harmony. To celebrate his invaluably enduring teachings, we have chosen compassion as the theme of this year—believing that many of the world’s challenges, from conflict and tension to domestic strife, can be addressed through the power of compassion.

 

The initiative includes the release of The Four Commitments. Could you share how these commitments have shaped his life—and how they continue to guide the Tibetan cause?

 

From a young age, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has regarded Mahatma Gandhi as a profound role model. Gandhi’s principles have deeply shaped His Holiness’s life and laid the foundation for his lifelong commitments.

The first of these is the promotion of human values. His Holiness is devoted not to spreading Buddhism, but to cultivating a sense of humanness across the globe. His message transcends religion, aiming to instil common human values—compassion, kindness, and empathy—at all levels of society, from policymakers and educators to social workers and scientists. He believes that compassion is the key to making the world a better place.

 

The second commitment is to promoting religious harmony. In an age where religion can fall into the wrong hands and be weaponised to fuel division, His Holiness stresses the importance of mutual respect and understanding among all faiths.

 

The third commitment is raising awareness about Tibetan culture and the delicate ecology of Tibet, which he sees as a culture of peace, non-violence, and deep spiritual insight.

 

Lastly, His Holiness is dedicated to preserving and promoting the ancient Indian philosophical traditions, such as the profound academic knowledge of psychology and philosophy of the erstwhile Nalanda tradition.

 

Tibet House is also highlighting Nalanda Buddhist Psychology in the Modern World. How do you see this ancient Indian wisdom resonating in contemporary logic and compassion?

 

In fact, the Nalanda tradition—especially its knowledge of psychology, cosmology, and logic - incredibly rich. The great scholars such as Arya Nagarjuna were extremely smart when it came to academic rigour, yet they remained deeply grounded in compassion based on the deep philosophy that they gained confidence in. As we’ve often said, wherever there is compassion, there is flourishing and harmony.

Tibet House, Delhi, has chosen to focus on the academic side of the tradition. This is something His Holiness has always emphasized—that the scholarly and intellectual aspects of Nalanda should be highlighted and brought forward for the world to see.

 

The film 'Wisdom of Happiness' is described as a 'visual pilgrimage'. What aspects of his journey or message do you think the film captures most profoundly?

 

If you look at His Holiness’s life journey, it’s truly extraordinary. There was tremendous pressure coming from the newly-formed Communist China, and yet, he took the full weight of political responsibility of Tibet into his own hands at such a tender age—an authority that was bestowed upon him by the Tibetan people. He was entrusted with both political and spiritual leadership.

 

Through this journey—often walked alone—he faced countless challenges, discrepancies, and the harshness of a regime that was both rude and cruel. And yet, he stood his ground—not with aggression, but with unwavering compassion and peace.

 

For the sake of religion, for the sake of humanity, he launched a selfless journey rooted in peace, dialogue, and inner strength.

 

In an era of digital distraction, Tibet House plans to share 90 Quotes for 90 Years. What role can digital interventions play in deepening awareness or mindfulness?

 

The digital world is something very tricky. But at the same time, it holds tremendous potential to spread powerful awareness about compassion. Using these tools wisely is a very mature way of engaging with the world—especially when we have such important wisdom to share.

 

It’s a great opportunity for the entire world, and especially for the youth, who have fresh minds and open hearts.

 

How has the Dalai Lama's philosophy of ‘dialogue over dogma’ influenced Tibet House’s approach to public programmes and education, especially when engaging non-Buddhist or secular audiences?

 

His Holiness has always chosen dialogue over conflict. Tibet House, though a small space started by him with the support of the Indian government, carries that vision. We’re deeply grateful for the government’s continued efforts to support it.

 

Dialogue has the power to influence—whether in families or in conflict—because at the core, everyone seeks peace. His Holiness is very clear: it’s not about promoting Buddhism, but about humanism, secular values, and compassion. Families learn how to be happy. Visiting Tibet House is about learning to be a better human—to be a good Buddhist, good Hindu, a good Muslim, or anyone seeking inner peace, including the non-believers.

 

On a personal note, what has been the most moving or transformative part of curating this tribute to His Holiness’s 90-year journey?

 

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is loved by billions—if I may say so without sounding presumptuous. When I visited Malaysia, I saw influential Muslims, their daughters, everyday people—all expressing deep admiration and love for him. Ultimately, it’s the public that decides, and people genuinely love him.

 

This love, this universal respect, is something that should be shared and celebrated—so that the human race moves toward greater compassion. That, truly, is the dream of a leader for the world.

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