The Dalai Lama Tuesday called Islam one of the great religions, saying true jihad was about fighting “negative emotions” within oneself.Speaking after receiving an honorary doctorate from Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia university, the Tibetan spiritual leader said that some mischievous elements were giving Islam a bad name.
“I defend Islam,” the Dalai Lama said, “we should not generalize Islam due to few mischievous people. Such mischievous people are there among Hindus, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, and all religions”.
“Some Muslims in this country (India) told me genuine Islam practitioner must extend love and compassion to all creatures. If a person creates bloodshed they are not Muslims,” he said adding, “the meaning of jihad is a struggle within ourselves against all negative emotions like anger, hatred, attachment, that creates problem in the society”.
He said though he had received such honors from universities throughout the world, he was particularly honored to receive one from a renowned Islamic institution in India.