About 40 students seeking enlightenment gathered together this week at an event sponsored by MSU Students For A Free Tibet.
“Everyone possesses the Buddhist nature inside,” John Grimes said during his presentation Tuesday night. “It just needs to be awakened. If you see something wonderful in another person, you’ll want to treat them well.”
MSU Students For A Free Tibet hosted “Buddhist Culture and Its Preservation” at the Union this week. Grimes, a religious studies professor, led the presentation, which centered around principles of happiness and internal strength. He also spoke about the Dalai Lama, a political and religious leader of Buddhism.
“Everyone desires happiness,” Grimes said. “But there’s still an agitation that continues even after you get what you want. No matter what you bring to yourself, it will never be enough.
“Happiness comes from within.”
Students For A Free Tibet is an international organization with almost 400 chapters at universities, high schools and junior high schools. The organization works with the Tibetan people through education, grass-roots organizing and nonviolent action for the fundamental right to political freedom.
English sophomore Amber Butas, the organization’s president, said although MSU’s chapter only has 20 active members, colleges around the nation are showing more dedication to the cause.
“I think people in college search for something to be involved in and they realize this is a really good cause,” Butas said. “They’re probably attracted to the organization because of all the famous people who belong also. The Beastie Boys are always putting on Tibet freedom concerts and stuff.
“I hope if anything, this presentation provided a better understanding and more openness to all religions and cultures.”
Deaf education junior Julia Robinson went to the presentation to learn more about Buddhist culture.
“My minor is Japanese language,” she said. “Since Buddhism is the primary religion in Southeast Asia, I thought it would help me understand the language and culture better.
“I also like the principles of Buddhism. It allows you to live your life a certain way that other religions don’t. In the Buddhist culture, you’re allowed to live and sleep with someone before you’re married.”
Adam Arscott, a member of the organization who coordinated the presentation, said it’s important for people to know about political events that occur in Tibet.
“Since the Chinese government’s occupation of Tibet in 1949, over 1 million Tibetans have died,” the journalism senior said. “This is a direct result of labor camps and genocide used against prisoners of crimes against the motherland.”
Arscott said because Buddhism is the primary religion in Tibet, it’s important to recognize its relationship to the Chinese government.
“The Chinese government wanted to enlarge the motherland under communism, which allows no religion,” he said. “They knew the Tibetans wouldn’t resist because their religion is based on nonviolence.
“We’ll continue to be here and educate people until we see a significant improvement in Tibet.”
