By IANS,
New Delhi : Parliament is the “ultimate conflict resolution forum”, particularly in a democratic form of government, and needs to be constantly nurtured and strengthened, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said Friday.
Presiding over a talk on ‘Leading with Courage and Compassion’ delivered by renowned Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, Chatterjee said: “It is here (parliament) that the hopes, aspirations, fears and frustrations of the people should be articulated and resolved through dialogue, debate, deliberations and discussions and through a process of conciliation.”
At least 20 parliamentarians including Rahul Gandhi, Karan Singh and M.S. Swaminathan attended the programme. Priyanka Gandhi, as an invitee, also attended the programme.
“In spite of all its imperfections, which one may point out, we do not have any better alternative to this great people’s institution which needs to be constantly nurtured and strengthened and be cleansed of its aberrations, to make it more receptive to people’s problems and for finding solutions,” the speaker added.
Referring to the message of the Zen master, Chatterjee said that violence and strife, which we notice today in contemporary society, are the symptoms of the deep-seated social malice which needs to be addressed by understanding and with compassion.
Thich Nhat Hanh emphasised the imperatives of love and compassion, which he said could be inculcated through “mindfulness” and what he called “deep listening”.
Earlier, welcoming the Zen master, Lok Sabha Secretary General, P.D.T. Achary said his philosophy was not confined to pre-existent religious structures but speaks to the individual’s desire for wholeness and inner calm.