January 12, 2026: The 108 Peace Institute, in collaboration with the International Students Association and ASPIRE, St. Joseph’s University, Bangalore, hosted a talk titled “The Power of Compassionate Leadership in Contemporary Times.” The session featured Geshe Lodoe Sangpo, Director of the Science Center, Gaden Jangtse Monastic University, Karnataka, as the guest speaker.
Geshe Lodoe Sangpo opened his lecture by emphasizing the central role of compassion in fostering personal and societal well-being. He stated that compassion extends beyond empathy and sympathy, as it includes a genuine willingness to alleviate the suffering of others. Highlighting compassion as a source of happiness, Geshe Lodoe quoted His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama, who often reminds his disciples: “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
Elaborating on the four principal commitments of His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama: promotion of basic human values such as compassion, love, and kindness; promotion of religious harmony; preservation of the Tibetan language, culture, and environment; and the revival of the ancient Nalanda tradition, Geshe Lodoe introduced relevant books authored by His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama that elaborate on each of these commitments.
Geshe Lodoe further emphasized that compassion is not merely an emotional response but also involves understanding situations from multiple perspectives, accompanied by a sincere motivation to reduce suffering. He acknowledged that the world faces numerous complex challenges, and while it may be unrealistic to solve all of them at once, consistent positive action at the individual level can gradually lead to meaningful change. To illustrate the importance of discernment and individual effort, Geshe Lodoe shared the story of a child throwing stranded starfish back into the ocean one by one. When questioned about the impact of saving only a few among thousands, the child replied that it made a difference to the ones he was able to save.
Geshe Lodoe also discussed self-compassion and emotional resilience, noting that while it is often easier to offer compassion to others, receiving compassion oneself can be challenging in a world driven by ego and appearances. He cautioned students against being misled by social media, where success and happiness are frequently showcased without acknowledging struggles. He reminded the audience that struggle is universal and encouraged students not to feel disheartened when faced with adversity.
Addressing questions about the practicality of compassion in a capitalist world, Geshe Lodoe spoke about Social, Ethical, and Emotional Learning (SEE Learning), and Community-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) pioneered by His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama. He added that these educational frameworks are designed to cultivate empathy, resilience, and ethical awareness from an early age and encouraged students to explore related resources online.
The lecture concluded with an interactive Q&A session and presentation of the latest book by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama “Voice for the Voiceless” to Dr. Anitha V, Assistant Prof. of International Relations, Peace and Public Policy by 108 Peace Institute representative Ms. Tenzin Donzey. Around 100 participants attended the lecture session, including students and faculty members.
