<< Buddhist scholar and Director of the Centre of Buddhist Studies at the University of Hong Kong Venerable Hin Hung addresses the opening ceremony of Ethics and Virtues Institute of Nepal, on August 12, 2016, in Kathmandu. Photo: Ethics and Virtues Institute of Nepal

The Director of the Centre of Buddhist Studies at the University of Hong Kong was speaking at a function organised to inaugurate the Ethics and Virtues Institute of Nepal (EVINS Nepal) in Kathmandu on Friday.

“The sufferings are created by the humans themselves,” a statement issued by the organiser quoted the scholar as saying, “People do bad karma due to attachment and hatred. This leads to suffering. And most of these sufferings are unnecessary.”

The scholar informed that most of the sufferings can be avoided with the practice of the Buddha’s teachings. The Buddha’s teachings can generate wisdom, helping people get rid of greed and hatred, he added.

“Due to hatred, people resort to destruction. Due to greed, people accumulate things and crave for things that they do not need. They even go to war for this reason. Ignorance is at the root of it, which leads us to do things that create misery for ourselves and others.”

“A conduct based on ethical and virtuous values will guide us to behave correctly. It will guide us to create compassion and loving kindness among people,” the guru said, “It helps us eliminate ignorance, hatred and greed. It helps our families and societies live in wisdom.”