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Wisdom Heart promotes healthy minds based on science, secular ethics, generosity, kindness, compassion and universal responsibility so that we may all contribute to and help create a kind, peaceful, ethical and compassionate world together.
May all beings be happy.
The strongest evidence for reincarnation comes not from any religion but from scientific research. Prof. Ian Stevenson (1918-2007), University of Virginia, pioneered scientific research on reincarnation. "As one of [Ian] Stevenson's more generous critics once put it, "Either he is making a colossal mistake or he will be known as the Galileo of the 20th century." Guy Leon Playfair, New Clothes for Old Souls, p. 56
Druze belief in reincarnation is well-known and well-documented. It is less known that followers of some Muslim sects believe in reincarnation, including the Alawites of Syria, and some Shiite and Sufi Muslims of Iran, Pakistan, Turkey and other places.
Here are two excerpts from New Clothes for Old Souls: Worldwide Evidence for Reincarnation by Guy Lyon Playfair with an appendix by Erlendur Haraldsson:
״...the word used today by the Druze for reincarnation, taqammus, literally means a change of clothing. The Druze also have a similar belief to that of Tibetan Buddhists - as described by Laurence Oliphant in The Land of Gilead:
Some of them trace their order back to Hemsa, the uncle of Mohammed who in 625 went to Tibet in search of secret wisdom. He is said to have incarnated again in the eleventh century as H'amsa, the founder of the Order. From that time he is supposed to have reincarnated successively in the body of the chief Heirophant (or Okhal) in the same way that some of the buddhas are said to incarnate in the Tibetan lamas.״ (New Clothes for Old Souls, Guy Lyon Playfair, p. 16)
Introduction
I believe, as do many others, that talking about past lives is only one way of providing evidence about the reality of reincarnation and, as you will see in this book, my experience is far from unique. Throughout recorded history, men, women, and especially children of many nationalities, religions and ethnic backgrounds have spontaneously described incidents from what they claim to be their previous lives, often giving the correct names of members of their former families, and sometimes even being reunited with and accepted by them, as happened to me.
Although Greek, Chinese and Indian philosophers spoke and wrote about reincarnation in the past, it is the modern world that is dealing with the subject in depth. It is less than 50 years ago, however, that serious research into reincarnation began, pioneered by the American psychiatrist Ian Stevenson, who by his retirement had amassed a huge file of cases from all over the world, several hundreds of which he had investigated personally, as described in Chapter Four. His example has been followed by researchers in other countries, notably the late Hernani Guimarães Andrade and Erlendur Haraldsson in Iceland, whose work is described in Chapters Five and Six and in the Appendix especially written for this book. As these and many other researchers have shown, it is now possible to base a belief on reincarnation on evidence.
One of the most important questions we can ask is: ‘Does any part of our personalities survive physical death?’ After reading this carefully researched book, I think you will find it hard to say no.
Salim Kheireddine
Druze Heritage Foundation
London, 1st September 2006
Dr. Jim Tucker, University of Virginia, continues research on past life recollections of children, using research methods developed by Ian Stevenson.
Several reincarnation cases researched by Professor Emeritus Erlendur Haraldsson and mentioned in New Clothes for Old Souls are featured in this documentary film.
May all beings enjoy lasting happiness, and be free of suffering and the causes of suffering. May all our compassionate wishes be quickly realized. May peace prevail on earth.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is one of Central Park’s most notable visitors and speakers. According to the NY Times, His Holiness “made his first appearance in the park in 1991, at a meditation session that drew about 5,000 people.” The Dalai Lama spoke in Central Park’s East Meadow on two occasions, on August 15, 1999, before an audience of 200,000 people, and again on September 21, 2003, to an estimated 65,000 people.
Central Park ~ August 15, 1999 The Dalai Lama’s 1999 public talk in Central Park was sponsored by the Tibet Center and The Gere Foundation. The New York Times published an article at the beginning of His Holiness’ four-day visit to New York that culminated with the Central Park talk. The New York Times wrote:
"'It is good that everybody knows the Dalai Lama,'' said Tenzing Ukyab, owner of the two Tibet Arts & Crafts stores in downtown Manhattan. ''He has compassion for everybody. He talks about peace for the whole world, not just the Tibetan people. And it is good that everybody knows the Tibet situation.'" With 13th Visit, Dalai Lama Has Gone From Obscurity to Celebrity by Barbara Steward, August 11, 1999 https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/11/nyregion/with-13th-visit-dalai-lama-has-gone-from-obscurity-to-celebrity.html
The following day, The New York Times underestimated the crowd size by about 160,000. More importantly, Amy Waldman's reporting on the content of His Holiness' speech and participants' experiences was excellent. Waldman's August 16, 1999 New York Times article conveyed the essential points of His Holiness' message on the importance of mind training for developing compassion and his advice on how to practice compassion:
"My life, when I look back, has not been easy," he said, referring
to his years in exile and China's repression of Tibet. "One thing I
learned," he said, "was that compassion, a sense of caring,
thinking about other's welfare, that
sort of mental attitude brings me inner peace."
Just as he practiced his mental
transformation, he said, every human being has equal potential to do so
-- maybe more. And then he took the crowd through eight prayers to train
the mind. "I have nothing to offer you,
miracle things -- nothing," he said,
by way of saying it would not be easy.
He stressed a few central themes,
lacing them with jokes and personal anecdotes: Problems would not be
solved by material things. Anger is destructive. The way to inner peace
is nonviolence, which he said was not just the
absence of violence, but "the
manifestation of compassion." But, he said, nonviolence does not mean
that "we remain indifferent about problems -- we must fully engage."
He stressed the increasing
interconnectedness of all human beings in a global world, so that "the
destruction of your neighbor is actually the destruction of yourself."
He talked about the great wealth in
America, and the great poverty, and said that the capitalist system
should be used to make money -- and the socialist system to help the
poor benefit from the profits.
He encouraged society to embrace those -- whether criminals or persons with AIDS -- that it had cast out.
He said inner spiritual development
was not necessarily linked to religious faith and he encouraged the
crowd to weave the practice into their own religious traditions.
40,000 in Central Park Hear Dalai Lama on Peace by Amy Waldman, August 16, 1999 - https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/national/regional/081699nyc-dalai-lama.html The full text of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 1999 Central Park talk was published in An Open Heart: Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life, by The Dalai Lama, edited by Nicholas Vreeland (2001). The full text [was] also available online in Amazon’s An Open Heart “Look Inside” feature. Regarding An Open Heart, Buddhist scholar, teacher and humanitarian Geshe Pema Dorjee said, “If you read just one book by the Dalai Lama, read this one. It has everything.”
Here’s the description of the extraordinary Central Park event, in An Open Heart:
“Finally, the Sunday morning of the talk arrived. We rather anxiously drove His Holiness from his hotel to the East Meadow, just off Fifth Avenue and Ninety-eighth Street, where he would enter Central Park. His Holiness asked how many people were expected. We told him we would be delighted with 15,000 to 20,000, but we simply didn’t know. As we made our way up Madison Avenue to the site, we strained to look up the side streets to see if there was any sign of people. As we approached Eighty-sixth Street, we began to see the crowded sidewalks and people moving toward the park.
We took His Holiness to the holding tent behind the stage and went to peek through the curtain. We were overwhelmed to see that the entire East Meadow was filled beyond capacity. It was a beautiful and thrilling sight. We later learned that more than 200,000 people had peacefully gathered there. The area was filled with blessings. The rain that had been falling earlier had stopped. With a massive sound system and video monitor ready to project his teachings to the enormous crowd, His Holiness stepped onto a stage decorated with flowers and a single wooden chair placed in the center.
His Holiness chose to speak in English. Through his simple style he inspired all present to engage in virtuous ways. Surely, many of those present generated bodhicitta, the aspiration to attain full enlightenment in order to help others. We might imagine that upon returning home, all in attendance shared the experience with family and friends, thereby inspiring even more virtuous thoughts and actions. Others read about the event or saw it on television. Consequently, millions of people generated good thoughts as a result of that morning in Central Park.”
An Open Heart, pp. 185-187 - this excerpt from the Afterward is also available on Amazon's “Look Inside”
Richard Gere introduced His Holiness at Central Park’s East Meadow (August 15, 1999).
Richard Gere: His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a religious leader and a head of state. Since Tibet was a Buddhist country and quite isolated, it had not maintained a modern army. And China’s communist forces very quickly overwhelmed Tibet’s modest defenses by 1950. Until 1959 the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan goverment strove for peaceful co-existence with the Chinese, who had promised not to alter the governance of Tibetan or dismantle its Buddhist traditions and culture. By the mid-1950’s it became clear that China had not intentions of honoring these promises, and rebellions began to break out against the Chinese all over Tibet. On March 10th 1959, a popular uprising erupted in Lhasa, the capital, when it was reported the Chinese planned to abduct the young Dalai Lama. The Chinese suppressed this uprising with brute force, killing thousands, and the Dalai Lama fled into exile with 80,000 Tibetans.
Believing that they’d be able to return soon, they set up makeshift camps in India and elsewhere, and throughout the Himalayan region. But to this day the Dalai Lama has not been able to return, as I’m sure all of you have seen the story in Kundun, the film of last year. Every year, still, thousands of Tibetans escape the repression in Tibet, finding their way over the high Himalayas, mostly in the worst part of the winter, in very little clothes, tennis shoes, thousands make their way — sometimes three, three and half thousand a year - get through. Thousands more die on that journey, but they still continue to try to make this incredible journey out of Tibet.
The exiled government of Tibet is now set up in Dharamsala in northern India, where the Dalai Lama has devoted himself to helping the Tibetan people regain control over their destiny and to continue Tibet’s rich and ancient Buddhist traditions. In doing this, he has traveled all over the world, and his universal messages of compassion and total non-violence have reached an ever growing international audience. In recognition of his efforts and achievements, the Dalai Lama has been conferred countless awards, and honorary degrees, and doctorates, and in 1989 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace.
And as it was stated in the Nobel Committee’s statement, “The Nobel Committee wants to emphasize the fact that the Dalai Lama, in his struggle for the liberation of Tibet, consistently has opposed the use of violence. He has, instead, advocated peaceful solutions, based upon tolerance and mutual respect, in order to preserve the historical and cultural legacy of his people. The Dalai Lama has come forward with constructive and forward looking proposals for the solution of international conflicts, human rights issues and global environmental problems.
Now, just so you know what the program is going to be today, His Holiness will speak for about an hour and a half, you know, the weather willing. The first part of that will be on the Eight Stanzas of Mind Training (by Langri Tangpa, 11th century), which is a particularly important text, and one that is important to all Buddhists. After that, His Holiness will confer initiation, as it were, in a declaration of altruism, and that will be the end of the program. So, it is my great great pleasure now, to introduce to, all are friends, no strangers here, The Dalai Lama. (Applause) The Dalai Lama: Hello. Good morning, brothers and sisters. (laughs) I am here just to share some of our common interests. That is, of course, I believe — every human being, by nature, wants happiness and does not want suffering. And certainly, I believe, the very purpose of our life, is happiness, joyfulness. And then, here, I believe, every human being has the same potential to create inner peace, and through that way, happiness and joyfulness. [end of free audio]
From An Open Heart: Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
In An Open Heart, the Dalai Lama continues:
Whether we are rich or poor, educated or uneducated, black or white, from the East or the West, our potential is equal. We are all the same, mentally and emotionally. Though some of us have larger noses and the color of our skin may differ slightly, physically we are basically the same. The difference are minor. Our mental and emotional similarity is what is important.
We share troublesome emotions as well as the positive ones that bring inner strength and tranquility. I think that it is important for us to be aware of our potential and let this inspire our self-confidence. Sometimes we look at the negative side of things and then feel hopeless. This, I think, is a wrong view.
I have no miracle to offer you. If someone has miraculous powers, then I shall seek this person’s help. Frankly, I am skeptical of those who claim extraordinary powers. However, through training our minds, with constant effort, we can change our mental perceptions or mental attitudes. This can make a real difference in our lives.
If we have a positive attitude, then even when surrounded by hostility, we shall not lack inner peace. On the other hand, if our mental attitude is more negative, influenced by fear, suspicion, helplessness, or self-loathing, then even when surrounded by our best friends, in a nice atmosphere and comfortable surroundings, we shall not be happy. So, mental attitude is very important: it makes a real difference to our state of happiness. I think that it is wrong to expect that our problems can be solved by money or material benefit. It is unrealistic to believe that something positive can come about merely from something external. Of course, our material situation is important and helpful to us. However, our inner, mental attitudes are equally important -- if not more so. We must learn to steer away from pursuing a life of luxury, as it is an obstacle to our practice.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Central Park September 21, 2003 (Image from Phayul.com)
Central Park ~ September 21, 2003
On September 21, 2003, the International Day of Peace, two years after the September 11 attacks, the Dalai Lama once again spoke for peace and nonviolence in Central Park. The day after His Holiness’ 2003 talk, the New York Times captured, in just a few lines, the Dalai Lama’s humor, humility and key message of compassion, not only for friends and strangers, but also for so-called enemies:
“I have nothing to offer, no special thing,'' he said with a chuckle. ''Just some blah, blah, blah.'' ''More compassion automatically opens our inner self,'' he said. ''Too much self-centered attitude closes our inner door.'' ''The very concept of war is out of date,'' he said to applause. ''Destruction of your neighbor as an enemy is essentially a destruction of yourself.’'
Secular Ethics: The Dalai Lama's Vision for a Peaceful Humanity His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not only a religious leader, but also a great promoter of secular ethics for all humanity. His Holiness' words of peace, compassion and wisdom are a great blessing and inspiration for Central Park employees, volunteers and visitors, New Yorkers, all Americans and all members of our one common human family. May His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, Tenzin Gyatso, enjoy long life, good health and the realization of all his holy and extraordinary wishes for inner peace and world peace for all.
My name is Thupten Phelgye. People call me Geshe-lak Phelgye here. I am a Tibetan Buddhist monk and I come from Serge Monastery in south India.
And I've been working on promoting vegetarianism and veganism, beginning from my monastery, through Tibetan society and worldwide.
The idea of universal compassion is that compassion is not something that belongs to the humans only. Compassion is universal.
All sentient beings, animals, bugs, those millions of types of those living in the ocean, in the water, are all included in the family of sentient beings.
They all deserve compassionate treatment.
So, it is to promote universal compassion to all sentient beings.
Buddhists realize that all lives are equal in terms of wanting peace and happiness, not wanting pain and suffering.
We are all the same sentient beings.
Just we have a different form of life, but in terms of living the life, it's the same, humans and all the animals, the same desire and right to live in peace and happiness.
So, we do not particularly say 'I love this and I do not love that.'
Love and compassion are for all equally, like ourselves, because our experiences are the same.
We humans, and animals, the birds, whatever life, we all experience the same.
When we have good time, we enjoy. When we have pain and suffering, we suffer. The same thing. Even from the insects, we all have the same desire of peace and happiness and we all have the same sense of not wanting pain and suffering, trying to protect ourselves from all kinds of harms from around.
It's quite clear, the way we all love peace and happiness. They deserve the same treatment and we are supposed to treat all with love and compassion.
There are many different quotes of the [inaudible] Buddha talking about different lives and not eating meat.
One of the very strong statements that Buddha had is, "I condemn meat eating in all means. I have never approved of meat eating. I will never approve of meat eating and I do not approve of meat eating for my followers, for all sentient beings are equal to me like my only son."
As Buddhists, we should have been vegetarians, but unfortunately, in our culture, in Tibet, because of the situation, altitude and all that, we ate meat. Without thinking, all monasteries and lay alike, people just lived on mainly meat, because the majority of Tibet, up in the northern and eastern side were nomads and all they had was animals, so their life was all about animals. So that was the unfortunate part about our culture.
As a child, I grew up with the same lifestyle, and then when I got into the monastery, we still had the same lifestyle. I had questions in my head, but, the whole culture, you know, lived in that lifestyle. I didn't have a clue of otherwise, but it was in 1984, I was taking some sick monks to the hospital. On the way, some of my friends asked me if I could buy some meat for him, because he was also sick, and I said, "Of course, I will." And then he said, "If you could go to the slaughterhouse early in the morning you will get fresh meat, the best meat." I said, "Of course, I'll do that."
So the next morning, I went to the slaughterhouse, the local Indian slaughterhouse and I was a little too early getting there, and this little slaughterhouse was just opened, and they were actually starting to slaughter the animals. Each little animal, the butchers and animals were actually wrestling back and forth and that's like the first time for me to see how animals are slaughtered. I realized the meat, the dishes that we eat without thinking, how painful and suffering to these voiceless animals, and I felt very helpless, very painful, seeing the reality behind our lifestyle.
I was crying. At the same time, I made a vow for the dying animals, "Okay, I have to do something for this. I will be your voice. I will speak for you."
So I came home. I went to the monastery library. I actually. one by one, pulled down, the original Buddhist teachings, the canons that we have translated from Sanskrit and Pali and I looked into [them] and I found how the Buddha had strongly condemned meat eating, obviously.
Normally, people have no idea what animals go through. It will only be realized when you get to see what actually happens in the slaughterhouses. Until then, you wouldn't realize. And when you see that, actually, you will feel if is really appropriate to eat them. It's really horrifying. Certain slaughterhouses have, like, the entire animals that they are supposed to slaughter for the day are standing in a corner out there and one by another being slaughtered in front, by the rest of the animals, and you can imagine how terrifying that experience would be. Just imagine yourself being out there and all your friends and colleagues are being slaughtered and you are in the line, just, you know, a step away from that terrifying thing.
According to most religions, talk about Hell, the most horrifying realm. But I can't imagine there is something more horrifying and painful than so-called Hell than those horrifying experiences when you are lined up in the slaughterhouse. It's just heartbreaking. So we need to actually see those things so that how we humans are actually causing so much trouble to other fellow sentient beings.
So, then it totally makes sense that as a Buddhist, when you take refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, one of the principles by taking refuge in Dharma, is not harming other beings, not causing harm to other beings. That is the number one key principle that you are taking, by taking refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. But people are not really very serious about those things, kind of ignore it, in a way, and just eat, meat, and all that kind of thing.
So I started to bring awareness, writing in local newspapers and magazines and whatever way I could approach through, I tried to bring awareness about the pain and suffering of animals, and teachings of Buddha and good things about being vegetarian, and all this kind of thing. I've been working for and ever since.
And, obviously, I ran into many problems, because, when talking about vegetarianism, meaning that you are kind of going against your culture, 99% of people in your culture are meat eaters, and nobody really likes what I have to say, even though what I'm saying is the truth.
People have no argument to deny the truth, but then they don't like it. You know, they feel guilty about their lifestyle. I've run into many problems but I did not give up, I kept going whatever way I could, trying not too much to offend people but trying to get the message out.
Until 1996, I guess it was 1996, when I thought it is time for me, actually, to bring this issue up to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and I asked for a private audience with His Holiness for this, for my work, for my movement. And His Holiness the Dalai Lama was so very pleased about my work and he really appreciated, and he encouraged me to carry on. And he said, "Of course, I'm with you. My blessings are with you."
And that's when I got really encouraged and I felt more determined to openly come and speak forth. And then, yes, you will notice from there on, His Holiness has been speaking about vegetarianism or compassion to animals, more openly, more often in his speeches and teachings in the public. And that's like the biggest move that took place in our culture. People started to take it seriously when His Holiness spoke about it.
For the Buddhist community, my brothers and sisters, my appeal for you is that since we took refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and we took the basic principles of not killing, not stealing, not engaging in sexual misconduct, including [no] alcohol, not lying obviously. From among them, Number One is not killing. In terms of not killing, it does not necessarily mean that you go kill, but there's also causing the killing. Which means, when you eat other animals, you are the cause of that killing.
So, my appeal to you is try to learn about a vegetarian lifestyle. Try to learn about a vegan lifestyle, which is a very healthier more compassionate lifestyle. So, please try that because we have taken some certain principles, before the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and if we don't follow our principles, then we are just a name, 'Buddhist.' So try to live your belief, try to live your faith, and try to put Dharma into your practice. Thank you.
Venerable Geshe Thupten Phelgye
Directed by Keegan Kuhn
Music by xTrue Naturex
Filmed at Animal Place, a sanctuary for farmed animals
Dedication ~ May His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet and all the precious teachers of Tibet enjoy long life, good health and the spontaneous realization of all their wishes.
June 5, 2009
-REPORTERS, FRANCE 24-
Sophie Claudet: Hello and welcome to this new edition of Reporters.
Sophie Claudet: This week we go to North India, to Dharamsala, home to the Tibetan government in exile and its head, the Dalai Lama.
The Buddhist spiritual leader fled Tibet for Dharamsala in 1959, after a failed uprising against China's communist rule.
He has since set up a government and an assembly in what has come to be known as Little Tibet.
While denouncing China's treatment of Tibet as cultural genocide, the Dalai Lama does not want independence for His country, but rather, autonomy.
And, in line with Buddhism, He's of course a strong proponent of non-violence. His strategy is contested among Tibetans. However, some are ready to take arms to root out Chinese occupation. But it may never come to that.
The Dalai Lama's oracles have predicted that Tibet will soon be free again.
Capucine Henry, Amandine Roche and Arnaud Gidon traveled to Little Tibet and met the Dalai Lama's oracles. Let's watch their report.
Arnaud Gidon: A few kilometers from Dharamsala, on the road to the Himalayas, these men and women have walked for hours, to come and listen to the prophecies of this little six year old girl. Her name is Shambhavi. They believe she is the reincarnation of a Hindu goddess.
Shambhavi: I want Dalai Lama blessing. I want Tibet freedom. Tibet got very happy freedom.
The Dalai Lama holds her hand as a sign of respect. He has come specially to this Hindu temple to receive her blessing and her prayers.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Thank you all for coming. I would first like to tell you that this little girl is a saint. For the second time in a year, this saint has come all the way from South India, only to see me. She has come to tell me about her premonitions.
Arnaud Gidon: Like these Hindus, he believes in the child's predictions.
(To Shambavi) What did you dream about? What have you to say?
Shambhavi: Only one more and one time only.
Shambhavi's mother: Okay, come on, speak up. Speak up.
Shambhavi: Dalai Lama had bad health; that this in dream. Only this one.
Arnaud Gidon: Shambhavi is sure of herself. She threatened to go on a hunger strike if her parents didn't take her to the Dalai Lama
His Holiness the Dalai Lama: She came to see me and give me some kind of warning. I may get some illness. Now, this time, also you see, she came, and this time mainly, you see, she wanted to perform some sort of offering, puja, for Tibetan sort of freedom.
Arnaud Gidon: The pilgrims flock around Shambhavi, to know what the future holds for them.
Shambhavi: 2012, 2012 January.
Shambhavi's mother: 2012 January...
Man: Things will be well in 2012 January. In 2016 they'll go back to Tibet. They'll go back to Tibet, the Dalai Lama and all the Tibetans, they'll go back to Tibet.
Shambavi's mother: They will live happily from 2016 onwards.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you.... Oh yes, yes. Thank you, thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.
Arnaud Gidon: In Dharamsala, little goddess Shambhavi's predictions on the health and future of the Dalai Lama are being taken seriously. In the spiritual leader's temple, a public ceremony is organized. Trances and prayers are used to wish a long life to the spiritual head.
This man in ceremonial garb is one of the three state oracles of the Dalai Lama. He is a medium who can communicate with the gods. In the Tibetan tradition, it is not a state secret, but an institution. The Dalai Lama takes no political or spiritual decision without first consulting his three oracles.
In 1959, it was on their predictions that the Dalai Lama decided to flee Tibet. The oracle determined the exact date, and the spiritual leader's itinerary to Dharamsala. It has been almost fifty years to the day, that the Buddhists first fled Tibet to escape Chinese communism.
In the small Nechung monastery, Tibetans fall over each other to ask the oracle whether this long forced exile will soon end. The ritual is always the same. The monks start by calling up the spirits. Until the medium goes into a trance, a deep religious silence descends on the temple, so all can hear the voices of the gods through the body of this man.
Only an enlightened few can translate this very ancient Tibetan dialect. The sacred words of the oracle are scrupulously recorded and translated by the monks.
The oracle faints. The ceremony is over.
A few minutes later, the prophesies are translated. The expert, Geshe Dorje, a Buddhist master with a PhD in Philosophy, he is one of the few people in the world to understand and speak the language of the gods.
Geshe Dorje, Buddhist Master: It is already translated, today, the oracle... yeah...
Arnaud Gidon: So, what does the oracle say? What is his message for the Tibetan people? This information is usually kept secret, but, finally, in a confiding mood, Geshe Dorje agrees to tell us part of the secret.
Geshe Dorje: The Dalai Lama going to China. Then, after, no problem China. Really. The Dalai Lama going, then teaching, then people, open mind, just like sun, sunshine. Yeah. Just like sunshine, at that time, I think. Many people die, really. Very happy, then... Yeah. Many old people waiting here, 80 years, 90 years, very old. "When Dalai Lama coming?" then they saw Dalai Lama, they are very happy, shocked, I think. Also Chinese, really.
Arnaud Gidon: A few hours after the ceremony, the Tibetans try, one by one, to find out more about the oracle's predictions.
Nechung Monastery Monk: Where are you from?
Woman: Lhasa. And my family is still there. That's why I want to know if I'll see them again one day.
Nechung Monastery Monk: I can't tell you all, you know, it's a secret, but it all goes well. The oracle says the Tibetan government in exile will soon take important decisions.
Sonam, Tibetan refugee: I believe him. Everyday, when I pray in front of him, I have some special feeling, and something like special power, he give to me, and I feel like he always encourages me, whenever I pray to him. After I finish praying to him, then in my heart I have a full belief, and then, I feel more happy, after I prayer for him.
Arnaud Gidon: In Dharamsala, it is difficult to gauge what the Tibetan parliament in exile thinks of the oracle's predictions.
(To parliamentarians outside) Do you believe in the predictions of the oracle?
Monk: I don't know. I don't know. To ask...
Tibetan man: Oh, we don't know anything about Nechung.
Tibetan man 2: Geshe-la would be a…
Narrator: Questions are unwelcome. Here the spiritual authority is not questioned.
Monk: Ah, yes, yes, yes. I am monk! [laughs]
Arnaud Gidon: The parliamentary spokesperson finally answers our question.
Penpa Tsering, Speaker of the Parliament: The concept of protecting deities is to help you in achieving things where humans are not able to understand the circumstances.
Tibetan man 3: We cannot decide, so then we'll ask him, you know, which way we should go. So he'll advice us, give us the guidelines, the true guidelines, the right way.
Woman narrator: The right way?
Tibetan man 3: Yeah, we are very very very sure about what he says. We believe it.
Woman narrator: Are you very sure?
Tibetan man 3: Sure, sure, sure, sure, sure.
Arnaud Gidon: To be a Buddhist is, above all, to think positively and to refuse war as a means to saving Tibet. But for some time now, the impatience and anger of the younger generations has been gaining ground in the community. These Tibetan youth are ready to take up arms. Their leader is Lhasang Tsering, often referred to as the Devil.
Lhasang Tsering, Founder, Tibetan Youth Congress: Why is there a state oracle of Tibet? If the Tibetan parliament and the Tibetan kashag are not consulting… My problem is that when national leaders whose duty it is to make decisions and to be responsible and answerable for those decisions are then using the system of oracles. There is a price for freedom and the price for freedom is not paid in silver and gold. It is paid in the currency of life and blood.
Arnaud Gidon: These young teenagers have just reached Dharamsala. They are welcomed by Tsering Chenga, another of the Dalai Lama's state oracles. Tsering does not believe in war. Faced with this delicate situation, she tries to calm the hotheaded youth.
Tibetan youth: Yes, we managed to escape from the Chinese. We were afraid, but at least they did not catch us. We climbed the mountains in the snow. It was very cold during weeks and weeks.
Tsering Chenga: [laughs] These children don't know how to speak properly. They are yak farmers. The Chinese are saying that they educate Tibetans, but this proves the contrary. All these young people are not educated. [laughs]
Tibetan youth: I don't know what to say. I don't know how to talk. You know, we just arrived at the refugee center.
Tsering Chenga: At the refugee center there are different types of people. Become friends with cheerful and positive children. Get close to radiant people. This is the future of humanity. I'm not going to talk about my trances. No, I'm going to talk about essential matters, what humanity needs to hear to evolve. The 21st century looks like a very modern century from the outside, but times are serious. Our hearts are suffering from the inside, and we have reached the limits. We're killing each other! We must give light to ignorance and regain consciousness. Let's help and love our enemies. That's how we will save Tibet and all humanity.
Arnaud Gidon: How will Tibetan culture be saved?
The urgency of the situation has brought together the greatest experts of the science of the mind for an historic conference.
-Translating the Words of the Buddha: Khyentse Foundation Translation Conference-
Arnaud Gidon: After a week of initiation, the keepers of the secret teachings of the Buddha have decided to translate the complete texts of the Buddha in the next 25 years.
Robert Thurman, a very close friend of the Dalai Lama for the last 45 years, and one the world's most influential specialists on Tibetan Buddhism, this visionary, who is a confidante to the spiritual chief, is in agreement with the oracles.
Robert Thurman, Writer and Tibet Specialist: I have this other vision… the Dalai Lama's own vision, He and whichever president of China will go hand in hand to the United Nations and in the United Nations they will declare, and they'll bring Al Gore there, and they will declare that the whole of the Tibetan plateau is a global peace park, an environmental preserve, a nature preserve, and they will restore the headwaters of all the rivers of Asia.
Arnaud Gidon: These oracles from the roof of the world agree, and predict a radiant future for Tibet and the return of the saintly Dalai Lama to His palace at Lhasa.
-Report by Amandine Roche, Capucine Henry, Arnaud Gidon, Emmanuelie Zabala-
Sophie Claudet: Well, one of the reporters behind this fascinating story is with us from New Delhi via satellite. Hello, Capucine Henry, and welcome to the show.
Sophie Claudet: At the beginning of your report we see the prophecies of a six year old girl who says Tibet will be free in 2012. Why this date?
Capucine Henry, France 24 Correspondent, New Delhi, India: Alors. It's true. We have to be very cautious when we're talking about this date, 2012, because it's prophecies and predictions, and, obviously, it's not science. But, it's true that the date, 21st of December in 2012, these are dates that even the oldest civilizations, have been looking at this, the Mayan civilization, the Egyptians and the Indians, so current astronomers consider that the 21st of December 2012, the sun will rise and will be aligned with the galactic center which emits the most cosmic radiation. So, from that point on, the sun's activity on the earth will be more powerful than ever in the past, so mystics talk about 'returning to the light,' the great civilizations talk about going into the Age of Aquarius, and the Tibetans don't really talk about 2012 specifically, but they talk about moving into a new form of consciousness. The Dalai Lama's oracles say we won't be able to live other than being in total harmony with the forces of the light, otherwise we could even die.
Sophie Claudet: Capucine, it seems unlikely that Tibet will be freed of China's rule following a political settlement, considering that ongoing negotiations between the Tibetan government in exile and the Chinese authorities have reached a complete deadlock, so, how will it happen? How will Tibet become free in 2012?
Capucine Henry: It's true that the negotiations between the Tibetan government and the Chinese government are at a standstill. The Dalai Lama, though, has come to a point where he considers that negotiating with the Chinese leaders is in vain, is futile, so he's trying to set up a new strategy, in fact, where he's trying to work directly with the Chinese people, and reach the hearts of the Chinese people. So the strategy… He's trying to set up this strategy, trying to implement it, because he considers that the Chinese people, 1.3 billion inhabitants, that really hold the power in China, are capable of pushing the Tibetan cause forward.
Sophie Claudet: Okay, very quickly, Capucine, in closing, how will the Dalai Lama manage to convince the Chinese people rather than the Chinese authorities?
Capucine Henry: Well, the Dalai Lama is increasingly getting positioned as the spiritual leader of Tibet. Remember, He's semi-retired politically. He's working with a lot more intellectuals, inviting them in from China to Dharamsala. He's working with the Chinese and Tibetan… He's created the association for Chinese and Tibetan friends, and three radio stations, where you have reporters and journalists, Tibetan people communicating with the outside world, and the ultimate strategy that the Dalai Lama is planning on using - He considers that Taiwan can perhaps be a player or a bridge between China and Tibet, maybe the entry into Tibetan culture in China.
Sophie Claudet: Well, thank you very much Capucine, for being with us from New Delhi with us today. That's all the time we have for today unfortunately. Do join us again next week for another edition of Reporters. Goodbye.
--
May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness.
May all beings be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Letter from the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama Re Transcript & Hebrew Translation
From: Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
To: Janna Weiss
Date: Wed, Jul 27, 2011 at 1:09 PM
Subject: Thank You
Dear Janna,
I have been directed to thank you for your letter along with your offering of the complete transcript of His Holiness' World Peace Talk in Washington DC on June 9, 2011, which would be very useful to us. We very much appreciate your thoughtful gesture.
We are particularly happy to learn that you wish to translate His World Peace Talk into Hebrew for posting on your blog.
We also very much appreciate the very warm sentiments that you express for His Holiness and all the precious teachers of Tibet.
With best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Tsultrim Dorjee
Administrative Assistant
Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Thekchen Choeling
P.O. McLeod Gang
Dharamsala
Himachal Pradesh (H.P.) 176219 India
A World Peace Talk / His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Full Transcript
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama:
So, good morning everybody.
Audience: Good morning
His Holiness the Dalai Lama:
Brothers and sisters.
Indeed, I am very very happy having this opportunity for meeting with the public.
Because I always talk about how to create inner peace, irrespective whether believer or non-believer. Everybody wants a happy life, a successful life, so these goals ultimately entirely depend on our inner peace.
On the mental level there are too many frustrations and sometimes fear, suspicion,
distrust, anger - then your life will never be a successful happy one.
So, in spite of how this sounds, we have the opportunity, we have the ability to create inner peace. So that also is what I usually call 'through secular way,' not necessarily based on religious belief. So, meeting with the public and sharing these points, I always feel very happy and actually my commitment, my number one commitment, is on the level of 'I am a human being.'
We are the same, mentally, emotionally, physically, also; we are the same. So everybody has the desire to have a happy life, a successful life. There, also, we are completely the same and then, everybody has the right to have a happy life. From our birth, everybody has the same right. But the problem is that we sometimes neglect these inner values and we are trying to seek joyfulness, a happy life, from outside. That's a mistake.
So, that's my number one commitment.
The second commitment is promotion of religious harmony. Then, I am talking on the level of: "I am a Buddhist monk." So, according to my own little experience, I fully realize that all major religious traditions have the same potential to bring inner peace. So, closer understanding, harmony among the different religious traditions, is something very essential. If we, all religious traditions, have a closer understanding on that level, and make a more common effort, or effort for a common interest, it can be more effective. So that's [my] number two commitment. So, all these government levels, even the United Nations, I think cannot do much.
So, the public - because these things ultimately depend on the individual. We are on the individual level. Try to create a calm mind, then...
That then creates [calmness] within our own family, within our own community. That's the way to change our society. After all, society, community, means individuals combined. So, sometimes, I also feel: I am just one single person, [and there are] huge problems. My effort may not affect very much, anyway, it's true. But there's no other choice. Unless, at the individual level, we make some effort, it will never come, the happy society, or change, at the society level. So, the initiative must come from the individual level. So that's why I really feel something purposeful, meeting with people. So I'm very happy.
Then, also, behind you, there is the American Capitol Hill, a magnificent building, and this indicates that America is a democratic country. Right from the beginning, your forefathers, these ancestors, they really committed to the promotion of liberty, equality, democracy, rule of law, these things. So, since my childhood, we, many Tibetans, felt, when we heard the name America, we don't know much detail, but simply, we felt: Oh, America! A big nation, a great nation, a nation fully committed to these human values, democracy, liberty, freedom, these things.
So, once more, I have the opportunity to talk in public, here, in the Capitol. So, those people who organized this event, I really appreciate. Thank you, for those concerned people. And then also, I must thank the audience here, a quite large big number. I think, today, on the weekend, you must have another sort of program, go on a picnic or the sun is also good, so you may have a certain program, but instead of being there you came here, in spite of it being quite hot here, so I really appreciate.
[Applause.]
Now... As usual, whenever I have a talk, I never prepare. So, when I meet people, then certain ideas, certain thoughts automatically come. So here, also. So, the important [thing is] self confidence, and an optimistic mental attitude is very very essential. So, I am talking something about that. So, I think that those people quite far away, I think, now, you already saw my face, okay? Now I'm going to sit here and talk, okay.
Usually, my way or style of talking or meeting is always completely informal. I don't like formality. After all, the most important events in our life, at the time of birth, at the time of death, for these two most important events there is no formality (laughs), it just comes that way. Then, between there, [is] too much formality. I feel, according to my own experience, too much formality becomes an additional barrier to communicate, person to person. After all, we are the same human beings, so it is better to talk heart to heart. That I always do. So, in case some people may feel, oh, my talk, has too much informality, then, sorry.
Now... In our life, some kind of problems are always there. It is almost impossible, an individual human life without any problems. It is almost impossible. However, with a lot problems we can maintain peace of mind. When peace of mind is there, enthusiasm, optimism comes. So, that, we can do.
Now here, [when] we actually sit down among the problems and pains, there are two levels. One is the sensorial level, mainly the physical level. That, of course, for example, some physical illness, you have to take care. Then, another level of problem, pain, of painful experience, of suffering, that's mainly the mental level. So, of these two things, the mental level experience is actually more superior than the sensory level experience. Obviously, for example, some of these sports, in order to become top, they really, at the physical level, they really work hard, but then mentally they already see some sort of target, some sort of purpose, so the physical difficulties they can even embrace, like that.
I think, another sort of example: two patients, same physical illness, same hospital - we can see differences. One is only concerned about the physical pain and mentally also, concerned too much about that physical pain. That person, I think, has much more unhappiness or painful experience. Another same patient, physically with the same illness, same pain, but, mentally, with a different sort of attitude towards the pain, then, that person, the physical level is the same condition, but because of the mental level, different attitude, that person is much more happier. I think other animals have no ability to do that. We human beings, I think even animals, like a mother sometimes sacrifices willingly, [endures] her own difficulties, or even risks her own life, in order to save her youngster's life. So, that also, that tremendous affection, willing to take on some physical difficulties, even at the animal level, I think.
So, certainly, we human beings have this marvelous human intelligence. So, using this human intelligence, in spite of some difficulties surrounding you, you can maintain peace of mind - that much I can share with you, according to my own experience. I lost my own freedom at the age of sixteen, then at age twenty-four I lost my own country. [I encountered] a lot of difficulties and a lot of responsibilities, however, I think, that comparatively, I can sustain peace of mind. Knowing good is good, bad is bad, and accordingly, you have to handle, but at the same time, you can maintain the mental level more calm, peace. So, it is clearly, it is quite clear, in spite of some difficulties , that we have the ability to keep peace of mind. Now, here, in order to create peace of mind, self confidence, inner strength, is very very important. This is one factor.
Another factor: use human intelligence properly, and through that way, once we realize the reality fully, then, that is also one important factor to keep peace of mind. So, now, first, the warm heartedness. A more compassionate sort of mind, usually, I call warm heartedness. Once you develop warm heartedness or a sense of concern for other's well being, an affectionate attitude, then, actually, it opens our inner door. As a result, communication with other people becomes very easy. That even helps you carry your life honestly, truthfully, transparently- that brings trust. Trust brings friendship. On the other hand, too much of a self-centered attitude, then deep down, with too much of a self-centered attitude there, automatically: fear, distrust. And with that, you find it very difficult to communicate with other people, because you yourself, deep inside, have a sense of insecurity. So, then, with those circumstances, eventually, you develop feelings of loneliness, helplessness. So, therefore, at the emotional level, warm heartedness is a very very important factor to bring self-confidence. After all, we are social animals. The individual's successful life, or happy life, very much depends on others. So, therefore, just a lonely feeling, some kind of isolated self-centered attitude, is actually against basic human nature.
And then... According to scientists now, they are finding, with a more compassionate mind, your health also improves. Some scientists actually carried out some sort of research work, as experiments, they already found some clear sign that even a few weeks of training about compassion and these things. After a few weeks, they already found that blood pressure reduces, the amount of stress is reduced, social relations also improved. So they already know that peace of mind is really helpful for our good health. About, I think, more than two years ago, I went through surgery, for the gall bladder, because there were a lot of stones. I think the last, almost 50 years, I just hoped that with Tibetan medicine, or some other medicine, could melt these things, but finally that hope showed [itself] to be an empty hope, so finally, I went through surgery. So the surgery was quite serious. Usually that surgery, the normal way, in 15-20 minutes it can finish, but in my case, because of the complication of the gall bladder, which was enlarged almost, I think, two or three times the size, and also pus, so therefore, it became more complicated. So, my surgery, it took over two hours, so I had a good rest without consciousness! (laughs) So, then, after, I think, 4-5 days, I was fully recovered, so my doctor, the surgeon, later he told me, "Your physical condition is very good." So even, one time, one surgeon told me, expressed to me, "This young patient," then I told him, "I'm not young, I'm already seventy-three or seventy-four." So, then he responded, "Yes, he knows your age but your physical condition looks like 60," so he called me "young patient." (applause)
So, of course, there's nothing special. I think my mental state is comparatively quite peaceful, in spite of some problems. When some tragic news happened, it comes to my mind, little disturbances, but then goes. Like that. So, oh... Now, I want... I must tell you, the same person, same simple Buddhist monk, but there is one difference between my previous visits and today, one difference is that one important human organ is missing now (laughs). So, this simple Buddhist monk's body is not complete now. (laughs) So, through my own experience, peace of mind really is an immense help, to maintain health and to recover, very very helpful.
So, sometimes scientists say that too much anger, constant fear, are actually eating our immune system. An more open mind, a more pleasant mind, is really an immense help to sustain our immune system. Then, on another occasion, many years ago, I think near New York, at one university, we had some sort of meeting with scientists. There, one scientist mentioned that according to his experiment, he found, in his research he found that those people who, often come from his or her mouth: I, I, me, my, like that, so such people have greater risk of heart attack, although he didn't explain the reasons. Then, I felt, oh, it may be true, because the person for whom always comes the word: I, I, I, that's a reflection of his or her thinking, so there is an extreme self-centered attitude, so with too much of a self-centered attitude, as I mentioned earlier, your whole outlook becomes narrow. So even small problems appearing to that narrow sort of mind, look unbearable. When one has a sense of well-being of other people, then your mind becomes wider.
With that kind of widened mind even serious problems appear not that much unbearable or significant. So, it really makes a difference. So, therefore, compassion, compassionate heart, warm heartedness, not thinking just of yourself, but thinking more of others, that kind of mental attitude, has immense benefit to yourself.
So the problem quite often - people have the impression that the practice of compassion, the practice of forgiveness, these are part of religious practice, so those people who have not much interest in religion, then they are also negligent about these things. That's totally mistaken. Whether a religion or not - that's up to the individual. Without religion you can be a happy person. But without this inner peace, or compassionate mind, you cannot be a happy person. So, you see, there is no point to neglect, those people who have not much interest in religion, they should not neglect, these inner values.
Then, secondly, also you see, people have the impression that the practice of love and compassion is good for others, not necessarily towards oneself. That also is totally mistaken. So the benefit, out of the practice of compassion, first goes to yourself, including your own health.
Then also, sometimes I jokingly tell people, particularly those young girls, or young women, I don't know how many... Usually, you see, people spend a lot of money for cosmetics. That is only for external beauty. Real beauty is inner beauty. (applause)
Say, many years ago, I think in the 60s, one Tibetan government official, one monk official, a very good one, he eventually disrobed. Then one day, I teased him, oh, your wife is not that attractive. I teased him. Then his response was quite strong. He mentioned, "Oh yes, external beauty, not that much, but [her] internal beauty is excellent," he told me that. (laughs; applause) So, of course, you see, making your face beautiful, more beautiful, good, but in the meantime you must pay more attention to your inner beauty. With inner beauty, you will find a good companion, then, the marriage will be a long lasting happy marriage. Without paying much attention to inner beauty, only external beauty, you may find some companion, some partner, but it may not last long. Clear?
So, anyway, we human beings, I think we have one unique thing - our smile. Smiles, there are a variety of smiles. Sometimes, a sarcastic smile, sometimes a diplomatic smile; sometimes these don't bring peace, happiness or friendship, but sometimes fear, sometimes distrust. But a genuine human smile, is the expression of love, compassion, friendship, so a genuine human smile can only come through warm heartedness. I think those powerful people or powerful rich people may receive a lot of smiles from others, but they smile in front of you but behind they may say something different, some different things. So those people who really show a loving smile, a genuine smile with love and respect, that is always there. So therefore, human beings need friends. Friendship is entirely based on trust. Trust comes from transparency and love, compassion. So, naturally, in order to create a happy family, a happy community, these things are ultimately the most important matter. Money, of course, is important, material facility, of course is important, but not the top, the most important. So, that's one thing.
Then, the second, the wider perspective, realistic seeing, is very important - many of our problems are created by unrealistic methods. Obviously, nearly 7 billion human beings, nobody wants problems, yet, a lot of problems are essentially our own creation. Why? You do not want problems, but you create problems. Why? Firstly, lack of knowing the reality. So, your approach, you try to seek some positive thing, happiness, joyfulness, or even peace, but your method becomes unrealistic, so through any unrealistic method, you never get a satsifactory result. It's clear. Therefore, in order to carry out a realistic method, we must have full knowledge about the reality. In order to see the reality, in order to know the reality fully, we must look objectively. When our mind is with anger, with frustration, we cannot see the thing objectively, or when there's too much attachment. With that kind of mental state you, cannot see the reality.
One time, I met one American psychologist, Aaron Beck, Dr. Beck. Many years ago I met him in Stockholm. At that time, I think his age was already 84 or so; we had some discussion. He mentioned, according to his observation, when our anger develops, the object which we feel angry towards, that appears very negative, but actually 90% of that negative-ness is mental projection. He mentioned that. He has no religious mind, but he's a scientist, so, according to his own research, he found that way. So, therefore, all those negative emotions, destructive emotions, afflictive emotions, have a strong influence in our mind, so through that way, we can't see the reality objectively. So, in order to see things objectively, our mind must be calm.
Then, we must investigate the thing from various angles. One event, if you look from one angle, it looks a little bit negative, but the same event looked at from another angle looks positive. So, obviously, when we develop anger, hatred, the very nature of anger [is that] you need some kind of independent absolute target. So, the negative thing is something absolute; then anger and hatred come. Once you look at the same object through different angles, you might see some positive thing. Once you see that, the intensity of anger automatically reduces, so, then, gradually your attitude becomes more peaceful. So, therefore, when we develop these negative emotions, we should investigate the reality carefully, objectively. For that reason, also, a calm mind is very essential. So the practice of compassion, I think, brings all these benefits. A more compassionate mind increases self confidence, inner strength. The compassionate mind creates a more calm mind.
So, that way, we can see the object realistically.
And with a calm mind our investigation becomes much more realistic. With a fuller knowledge about reality, then our method becomes a realistic method. So, here, one practice is, when we face some problem, investigate whether there is a possibility to overcome that problem or not. Then, through further investigation, when you realize, now, that problem, there's no way, no solution, no way to overcome that, then too much worry is not very helpful. It's better to accept.
Through investigation, if there is a possibility to overcome that, then, instead of sadness or being demoralized, make effort. So, one sort of advice, one sort of text written by one Buddhist scholar in the 8th century, he mentioned, when we face some problem, then investigate the problem. If there's a possibility to overcome that problem, then there's no need to worry. If there's no way to overcome that problem, then too much worry is no use. I think that's a very realistic sort of advice. So, with a calm mind we can utilize these sorts of methods. So these are the ways to keep our minds more calm, more realistic.
And then, another thing. Can we really develop warm heartedness? The answer is yes. Why? Human basic nature, I consider, is gentleness. Recently I met one Italian scientist, a brain specialist, in Australia. He mentioned... Of course, among the audience, there may be some scientists, then if my understanding is mistaken, please make corrections. According to that scientist, he told our gathering, previously, scientists believed that the human basic nature is more individualistic, selfish. Then, later, they began to find that there is some part of the brain, they found the potential of affection. So, the affectionate attitude also is a part of human nature, he mentioned. Is it true? (laughs) You should investigate, you should ask some knowledgeable scientist. He mentioned at our meeting, so I shook hands, "Now you, as a scientist, make me a confirmation, that one of the basic human natures is more compassion rather than selfishness or aggressiveness."
So, anyway, I think that's common sense. If you look, as I mentioned before, a more compassionate mind goes very well with this body element. Constant anger, fear, are against this body element. So that is also one important factor. A basic kind of consistency with this body, is very close with peace of mind, rather than agitated mind. That's one thing.
Then, the way we're born, from our mother. Immediately after birth, from the child's side, there's a tremendous sort of affection, trust, to the person, at home, at the birth. At the time the child has no idea who's that person. But the biological factor is totally relying on that, and as long as that person holds you, you feel happy, safe. From the mother's side also, immediately at birth, when [the child is] born, it seems not very clean, but the mother really loves, really feels [that the child is] very precious. So, therefore, that's our way. Biologically, we are equipped with affection.
Without that... Now for example, again, some scientist told me, after birth, the next few weeks, the mother's physical touch is the key factor for proper development of the brain. So, therefore, in our biological factor, we have the seed of compassion there.
Now, there are two levels of compassion I want to share with you. Compassion, or affection, one is the biological factor. That's actually limited, biased, and a lot of involvement, mixed with a lot of attachment. Now, with the help of human intelligence, with that compassion, the biological factor of compassion, as a seed, with the help of human intelligence, human awareness, that can increase, further develop. So, the biological factor of compassion is limited, is only towards your friends, and very much depends on their attitude. So the biological factor of compassion is oriented towards the other's attitude, other's actions. Now, with human intelligence, awareness, reasoning, we can further develop that. Then, that compassion is not oriented towards the other's actions, the other's attitude, but rather towards the person himself or herself or even further, the sentient being itself.
I think everybody knows, God makes distinctions, sins and sinners. God never forgets sin. But sinners, [God] always forgives. To sinners... God truly loves sinners, he is very much concerned. Not the sin. So, here we make a distinction. Sin is the action, sinner is the actor. So we make a distinction. So, therefore, here, the biological level of compassion is mainly towards the action, the attitude. So that kind of compassion cannot extend towards your enemy, your troublemaker, because that compassionate attitude is very much oriented towards the action.
Then, the second level of compassion is not oriented towards the action, but to the actor himself or herself, like sinner. So that level of compassion can extend towards your enemy, your troublemaker. So, now, here, we have to make a distinction. As far as the wrongdoing, the harmful action, is concerned, we must oppose, we must take countermeasures. But towards the actor, like sinner, that side, we must keep compassion or a sense of concern for their well-being. We can do that.
This marvelous human intelligence, we have such an ability to make distinctions. So, when I talk, when we talk, when all religious traditions talk about love and compassion, it is the second level, like according to theistic religion, we are all created by God, the same source. One time, I met one Muslim. He told our gathering, that a true Islamic practitioner should extend love and compassion towards Allah's entire creation. All other traditions are very much the same, including Buddhism, they extend love and compassion to the entire humanity, to the entire sentient beings, like that. So, [they have] different reasons, different concepts, but the actual practice is the same. So, that love and compassion is the second level. With the help of human intelligence, further extend our love and compassion towards the entire humanity, irrespective of their attitude.
So through that way, we can develop a certain sort of attitude towards our enemy. Enemy - in order to practice patience, tolerance, you need a troublemaker. Our patience and tolerance can never develop towards our mother or towards God. So, tolerance, only the time, the opportunity when someone creates trouble, that's the moment of the practice of tolerance. So therefore, from that viewpoint, your enemy is your best teacher. Instead of developing a negative feeling, you must develop gratitude, appreciation. That does not mean you bow down. As far as wrong action is concerned, we need condemnation. But, as far as the person is concerned, at the actor's level, we must respect, we must appreciate. So, if we think, if we use common sense, I think these are sensible methods, you see, to change our attitude. Clear?
(applause)
So, as I mentioned before, we are all the same human beings, we all have the same potential, the same ability, so I thought, based on some of my own practice and with the help of some scientists, and some practitioners' experience, I just share with you. So, think more seriously about these points, and those people who feel that some of these points are sensible, then pay more attention, and think more, and eventually implement by yourself. Then, those people who may feel that now is a waste of time listening to these things, and are in the hot sun, then try to forget it. No problem. So.. And these things, according to my own experience, even physical change needs time. Mental change needs more time. Think constantly, familiarize, using more reasons, more experiments, then, eventually, you will get some conviction. Conviction - firstly, you learn, knowledge, then think more, experiment, then you develop conviction. Conviction brings effort. Effort brings result. That's the changing of our mental attitude.
Thank you very much.
(52:50 min talk ends)
His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Now, some questions. And come here. Come here, come here.
Whoopi: Yes, alright. Here I come. And down I go. I have some questions for you that people have sent in.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Yes.
Whoopi: So, the first one says: Your Holiness, I am fourteen years old. As a youth, how do I keep my faith in the goodness of humanity, and in achieving world peace, when the world seems to be in such turmoil?
His Holiness the Dalai Lama: I think the first part, I already mentioned. (HH in Tibetan to the translator: Haven't I?)
Whoopi: They want me to read it louder. Oh, louder. I'm sorry. (HH adjusts Whoopi's ear microphone.) The question that I just... Better?
His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Yes, I think better. (laughter)
Whoopi: Alright. The question was: Your Holiness, I am fourteen years old. As a youth, how do I keep my faith in the goodness of humanity, and in achieving world peace, when the world seems to be in such turmoil?
His Holiness the Dalai Lama: First part.. the first part I already mentioned. We have the potential. And, use common sense. And also, observe, your neighbors, those people who are more compassionate minded, or in the family, who have a more compassionate atmosphere there, all family members are much happier. And also, their neighbors also have good relations, and are much happier. Then, those families who may be very rich, very powerful, but are lacking human affection, then even within their own family members, may not be very happy. So, that's one.
Then second part. In the past century, the 20th century, although I think it is almost the greatest century of human history, with a lot of new inventions in the field of science and technology, much development, really wonderful. And also, I think, new ideas, like human rights, or the right of self determination, these things, equality, I think there has been much development in the past century.
At the same time, among many historians, they say that the 20th century eventually became the century of bloodshed. In that century, the number of people who were killed through violence, through war, were over 200 million. So, I usually describe the 20th century, in spite of some positive things, but the century itself also became the century of bloodshed, the century of violence. That immense violence, including the use of nuclear weapons, if that tremendous sort of violence, really brought a better world, a safer world, a peaceful world, then that immense violence can be justified. But that is not the case. Therefore, now, we must look a different way. That means that problems among humanity always remain. And then on top of that, the global warming, and also the population increasing, like the economic crisis recently, these, now, are problems. So, the only way, when we face these problems, when we try to solve these problems, at least the man-made problems, when we face these things, we must adopt a realistic method, in order to solve these problems - that is dialogue. So I am often telling, that the 20th century became the century of violence. Now this century, the 21st century should be the century of dialogue, in order to develop a peaceful century. (applause)
So here, I want to tell you, I think that in 1996 I met the Queen Mother of England. Since she observed the whole century, so I asked her, "Since you observed the whole century, so has humanity, the world, became better, worse, or the same?" Without hesitation, she mentioned, "Better." Then her reason, when she was young, nobody talked about human rights, or the right of self determination. Nowadays, these things have become universal values. She mentioned that. So, then, of course, the awareness of the importance of ecology, has much increased. And then, also, the freedom of (NOT CLEAR, fa...) about violence has much increased. During the previous century, when nations declared war on their neighbors, considered as an enemy, when they declared, every citizen of the country, without the slightest question, joined the war effort proudly. Now that kind of mental attitude is completely changed, since the Vietnam war, in this country. The anti-war movement is very strong, in many parts of the world. So, the desire for genuine peace, I think everywhere, is very very strong. So, these are positive things, so this shows that our future is hopeful.
Now I want to tell you, the 14 year old, I'm usually telling... My generation, I'm now, fifty, sixty, sixty-seven, oh no, I mean seventy-six...
Whoopi: The opposite.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Just the opposite, seventy-six. So, my generation, I don't know about your generation (touches Whoopi's hand), my generation, anyway, belongs to the 20th century. So people below thirty, twenty, these people belong to the 21st century.
Whoopi: Yes. Yes.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama: So, I don't know which one you belong to. So, you asked the question, 14 years old, belongs to the 21st century. So, my century is gone. The people who belong to the 20th century are now ready to say bye-bye. So, now, this young person, 14 years old, you belong to the 21st century. So, as far as the 21st century is concern, now only ten years have passed. Nearly now, eleven years passed. So, 89 years yet to come. So, these young people, you are the people who will really make the new shape of this century. So, you must realize that. And, in order to make a new shape of this planet, you should have vision, and determination, will power. So, please study well, with self confidence, a more optimistic attitude, and that, as I already mentioned, is very much related with a compassionate heart. So please pay equal attention to brain development and warm hearted development. This I want to share with you, so that you can be a really sensible, responsible person, and you can make a significant contribution on this planet, and particularly in the United States.
Now, I think, Lincoln abolished slavery, then Martin Luther King achieved civil rights. Now, you have an American black president. Wonderful. (applause) You see, you really used your freedom, your equality. Through that way, what you achieved is quite remarkable. So, this great nation, actually, I think, America, I think, is the leading nation of the free world. So, you should have full confidence, and full optimism, work hard, this is not time for relaxing, it's time for work. Like Japanese brothers and sisters, and also German people, after the second World War, their new nations were built from ashes, but they did very successfully. So, there are some problems here and there, particularly the global economic crisis, sometimes it's possible to have a little bit of a feeling of demoralization. That's a real failure. In spite of some problems, you should not feel that way. You should develop self confidence. America, Americans, made tremendous contributions for world peace, for world economy. Now, in the future, also, you can do that. So, with full confidence, self confidence, you must work hard. That I want to tell you.
Now, next question.
Whoopi: Your Holiness, as a teacher, how can I create a positive learning environment?
His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Oh, my knowledge is limited. My experience is very limited. But I think, as I briefly mentioned before, ultimately the individual really makes a difference. So, I really appreciate a teacher having that kind of feeling or concern. I very much appreciate. So, firstly.. I feel, in the education field, up to now, my impression and also some of my friends, also have the same view. In the modern education system, they pay much attention to knowledge, or brain development, and do not pay adequate attention to warm heartedness. (applause)
Obviously, when the European continent started a separate education institution, at that time, moral ethics, these things were concerned or taken care of by the Church. Now, time has passed, the influence of the Church sometimes has been a little reduced, and family values, I think to some extent, have been a little reduced. So now, the education institution alone should take of both, brain development and development of warm heartedness. And, in secular education, the only way, the only practical way, is the secular way to educate about compassion. When I use the word secularism, some of my friends, some Muslims, some Christians, they have the view that secularism means a little disrespect about religion. According to Indian tradition, secularism is not that way. Secularism actually respects all religions, including non-believers. (applause) So that is the real meaning of secularism. India's constitution is based on secularism, and those Indian founding fathers, like Mahatma Gandhiji, Rajendra Prasad, and Dr. Ambedkar, these great lawyers who drafted the Indian constitution, they themselves were very much religious-minded. But the nation is a multi-religious community, so therefore secularism is very fit. So, therefore, now, like America, I think, the whole world, is becoming smaller and smaller and itself is like a multi-religious community. So, I think this Indian tradition, for a thousand years this secularism is there, so, when I say secularism, that way, it's not in the negative sense, towards religion.
And maybe the Bolshevik revolution, the French revolution, during those periods, [there was] some, maybe some sense of anti-religion, that was not toward religion itself, but the institution. Because, at that time, the ruling elite was very much linked with religious institutions and religious people. So, when they were against the ruling system, then they had to be against the supporter of that. So, there may be some sort of indication against religious institutions, actually not against religion itself. What is religion? Not ceremony or costumes. Real religion is the practice of love, compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, self discipline. These are religion. (applause) So, nobody can be against religion. No. Religious institutions, oh yes, even in Tibet some religious institutions, I think including the Dalai Lama institution, are outdated. So, you see, that is something different. So you see, real religion and religious institutions - religious institutions are more or less a social thing. With social change, these must change. But religion... A thousand years have passed, I think that human emotions haven't much changed. Modernity, means external change. Not human emotion.
Of course the environment makes some influence in our way of thinking. Even, I think, Americans who live on farmland and those Americans who live in big cities, I think their way of thinking is a little bit different. That's the environment, due to environment, like that. But basically the same level of these emotions, so still very much relevant. So, secularism... so, the teacher... When you teach students about the value of compassion, this is not sufficiently carried by words, but through actions. So, if this question is a face, if you usually smile, then you should carry out more smiles with your students. Not such a stern face. (makes a stern face and laughs)
When I was receiving teaching from my tutor, when the tutor showed me a smile, affection, I have more enthusiasm to learn. Occasionally, my teacher looked a little bit with a stern face, then sometimes I was a little bit demoralized, like that. So, therefore, your own attitude and close connection with your students, like a family member, and then, through that way you can share, you can transfer your own experience of compassion and love to them. That's, I think, important. Thank you. Next question. (applause)
Whoopi: And it's the last question, Your Holiness. This person asks: Do you ever see yourself returning to Tibet one day?
His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Oh, yes. Things are always changing. (applause and cheers) The People's Republic China, since Mao's time, Mao Tse Tung's time, has much changed. I think if, Chairman Mao,now, you see, recently, they had some celebration, 90 years, the anniversary, or something, sometimes I now feel, if Chairman Mao himself returned to China today, I think Chairman Mao, I think, would be very shocked. (laughs) Obviously, now, today's Chinese Communist Party is communist without communist ideology, capitalist-communist, so [there has been] big change. (laughs) So, certainly, I think the voice of freedom, democracy, rule of law, more and more voices are now coming, including the Chinese Prime Minister himself, Wen Jia Bao. You see, the last few years, he quite often expressed, "China needs more political reforms." Like that. So, things will change, certainly, changing. Today's China, compared with 40, 50 years ago, much change. So, like that. Not only the Chinese case, but the whole world. Things are changing. I think, sometimes, the power of gun for the immediate is very decisive, but in the long run, the power of truth, the power of compassion, is much more effective than the power of gun. Isn't it? (applause)
Whoopi: I agree. So, I need to introduce Michael Fitzpatrick, but before I do that, I want to thank you for your words of wisdom, because...
Audience member: What about all the people in power...
His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Oh, yes. Okay, yes, one question.
Audience member: What about all the people in power that don't... (inaudible)
- Revolution is coming - (T-shirt)
His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Now, I always make clear. The world belongs to humanity. America belongs to the American people. So, since the country belongs to the people, rule of the country by the people, the best way is the democratic system. (applause)
Now, firstly, when elections take place, including yourself, think more seriously, (laughs) that you should choose the right person. Then, even after elected, if you are really dissatisfied, then the next election is coming. (laughs) Then, also, I think, you have two powerful houses, particularly the Congress (House of Representatives), and also the Senate. So, your own constituencies, I think, you can express your feeling directly, to your elected congressman or senators. Then, through that way, of course, I think the American system is a very good system, very well-balanced: independent judiciary, legislative, and executive, I think very well divided power. I think, wonderful. So, of course you have some sort of complaint, it is your right. So, you should express that without fear, and make effort, and tell more people. Isn't it? Like that. Okay. (applause)
So, you see, you know, the democratic system is the best system. Therefore, in my own case, the last almost 4 century old Dalai Lama institution that holds both political power and spiritual - that I felt was outdated. So I voluntarily, happily, proudly ended it. So, I am fully committed to democracy. (applause) So, I love the democratic system.
In the meantime, no matter what good system, but ultimately it depends on the individual who carries out this work. So, now, here, the problem is, we are really facing some kind of moral crisis. That is a serious matter. No only in America. Everywhere. Even in India. A very religious minded, very religious minded country. I often tell my Indian friends, if you really believe in Lord Shiva, Brahma, you should be honest. If you're really involved in corruption, then you should not practice dharma. If you practice dharma, we should not be involved in corruption. I am telling like that. (applause)
So, here also, I don't know here how much is the extent of corruption, I don't know here. (laughs)
Whoopi: Not as much as it used to be, but there's still kind of a little bit. (laughter)
His Holiness the Dalai Lama: That is, I think, really important. The moral principle, the moral ethics, whether religious believer or not, it's a different question. But so long as we are human beings, particularly involved in administration or politics or anywhere, leadership must have moral principle. That's very important. Money is important, but moral principle is even more important. That's, I think, (applause), I think you should keep these points, and make effort.
-- Hebrew
Letter from the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama http://cafe.themarker.com/post/3048986/
Part 1 Lecture http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2289801/
Part 2 Q&A http://cafe.themarker.com/post/2289802/
