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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.
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/
Start 01:39:15 to 01:43:27 (04:12 min)
WBAI link expired on April 9, 2013
Hugh Hamilton:
And you're on the air. Good afternoon.
Hello. You're on the air. Yes.
Janna Weiss:
Hello, Mr. Hamilton.
It's a pleasure to speak to you.
I appreciate WBAI very much.
Hugh Hamilton:
Thank you.
Janna Weiss:
I'd like to talk to you about the Tibetan issue, which is one of the most critical and important global issues today, which is really absent from the public discourse.
Hugh Hamilton:
Yes...
Janna Weiss:
95* Tibetans have self-immolated within Tibet because they are suffering really brutal oppression for over fifty years with no freedom of religion and really a cultural genocide that is ongoing.
And there are 10,000 Tibetans living in New York, and it would be great to give voice, I think, to the issue.
The issue is a global issue for environmental reasons... for three main reasons. One is the environmental issue. Tibet is considered the Third Pole of the world. The Himalayan snow is the source water for the.. the ice caps of the Himalaya are the snow [source] for drinking water for about 10 major Asian rivers, for 60% of humanity, and they're melting at an extraordinary rate due to inappropriate human activity - mining and damming and so forth.
Hugh Hamilton:
Yes...
Janna Weiss:
They're in the process of displacing and settling 1.4 million nomads who live in harmony with the environment and tend the pasturelands of Tibet. And Tibet is beginning to undergo desertification and 1.4 million nomads will have nothing to do in cement houses.
Hugh Hamilton:
That's the first issue, you said. You said there are three reasons.
Janna Weiss:
There are three. Yeah.
Hugh Hamilton:
Right.
Janna Weiss:
The second one is non-violence, and if we really want to promote peace in the world, then we really need to stand behind the non-violent path, and the non-violent struggle of 6 million Tibetan people who live in the high plateau. And so.. to encourage dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflict, and to send a strong message also to communities where they may be less committed to non-violence as the Tibetans. That's the second issue.
And the third issue is the aspect of health.
Tibetans are world experts on mental health.
In fact, mental illness is rare in Tibet.
And they've been collaborating, the Tibetans, and Tibetan meditation masters, with neuroscientists, for over two decades now, with Mind and Life Institute, and The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education - CCARE at Stanford, and Richard Davidson's research at the University of Wisconsin Center for Investigating Healthy Minds (CIHM) www.investigatinghealthyminds.org and so forth, and Harvard.
And there's no question that a practice of ethics stands at the foundation of mental health and peace of mind, and the less stress we have, as the result of meditation and the practice of ethics, then also, we have better physical health.
Hugh Hamilton:
I'll tell you what. I'll tell you what.
You've made a very... You've made a very compelling case, and you've articulated very well, and very clearly, several of the reasons why this is such an important issue, the Tibetan issue, and I have taken this on advisement. If you are able to do so and you can, send me a follow-up email, I'd be more than happy to... I'd be more than happy to communicate with you further on this...
Janna Weiss:
Thank you very much. (very softly)
Hugh Hamilton:
...Because it seems to me as well that you might be able to make a contribution to the conceptualization of such a segment based on your knowledge and expertise in the field. So, please do send me an email when you have a moment to do so. Put "Tibet" as your subject, and I look forward to hearing further and to working with you to bring the issue to the air. Okay?
Janna Weiss:
Thank you so very much.
Hugh Hamilton:
You are very welcome. Thank you very much indeed.
~ ~ ~
Follow-up email to Mr. Hugh Hamilton ~ embedded videos
From: Janna Weiss
Date: Fri, Jan 11, 2013
Subject: Tibet - Talkback follow-up
To: Hugh Hamilton
Dear Mr. Hamilton,
Thank you for the opportunity to share about Tibet yesterday on Talkback and for your kind response.
As I mentioned, Tibet is a major global issue. I believe that
resolution of the Tibetan issue is key to resolving global corruption,
from which we all suffer.
At least 95 Tibetans inside Tibet have self-immolated for the return of
the Dalai Lama, for freedom for the Tibetan people and for world peace.
6
million Tibetans reside on the Himalayan high plateau and have been
enduring a systematic cultural genocide for over 60 years.
About 1,200,000 Tibetans have been killed and over 6000 monasteries destroyed since the communist invasion began in 1950.
Environment
Tibet is a #1 environmental issue. Tibet
is considered the global Third Pole. Its glaciers are sourcewaters for
10 major Asian rivers, providing water to about 4 billion people, 60% of
humanity. The Tibetan glaciers are melting due to mining, military
activity, damming for hydroelectric power, deforestation, mass
decimation of wild herd animals, resettlement of 1.4 million nomadic yak
herders that graze Tibet's immense grasslands. Tibet is also
experiencing desertification.
Non-violence
Tibetans
are Tibetan Buddhists and are committed to non-violence. The
democratically elected Tibetan government in exile supports the Dalai
Lama's Middle Way approach to peaceful resolution of the longstanding
conflict with China through dialogue. Support for the Tibetan
non-violent struggle will send a strong message of support for
non-violent conflict resolution to communities around the world who may
be less committed to non-violence than the Tibetans.
Health
The Tibetans are experts on mental health who
mass produced enlightened teachers in a vast network of monasteries for
1300 years, since Buddhism came to Tibet.
The Habits of Happiness - Ven. Matthieu Ricard
Mental illness is rare in
Tibet. His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan meditation adepts
have been collaborating with neuroscientists for close to three decades.
Neuroscientific findings conclusively show that Tibetan meditation
techniques lead to objective measures of happiness, for example, as
determined by strong activity in the left pre-frontal cortex. Ven.
Matthieu Ricard, once a molecular biologist and today a Tibetan Buddhist
monk, has been dubbed 'the happiest man in the world' and his happiness
measure is 4.5 standard deviations outside the bell curve of a control
group of 150 non-meditators, for left/right pre-frontal cortical
activity (right = unhappy, destructive emotions). Graph from The Habits
of Happiness by Matthieu Ricard http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbLEf4HR74E attached.
The two essentials of meditation are single pointed concentration and
ethics (concentrative and analytical meditation, respectively).
Better
mental health, greater peace of mind, a calm mind, less stress,
contribute to better physical health. The Dalai Lama prioritizes: peace
of mind, health, friends, money, in that order.
*As of today, more than 107 Tibetans have self-immolated for freedom. Please see what you can do:http://www.SolidaritywithTibet.org/outreach Updated December 1, 2013 - More than 123 Tibetans have self-immolated for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and freedom for the Tibetan people. Please see what you can do for Tibet: http://www.SolidaritywithTibet.org/outreach
In honor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 77th birthday, July 6, 2012 (published in Hebrew on July 6)
My
son and I lived in Lhasa for a year and half, from September 2007 to
the end of February 2009, except for two and a half months somewhere
in the middle, when all foreigners in China who didn't have tickets
to the Olympics were sent to wait outside China. Most of them crowded
into Hong Kong during that period. In March 2008, there were riots in
Lhasa. We only saw black smoke rising above the city for several
days, and heard booms of a monastery being shelled - a monastery
being shelled...
The
Tibetans mostly burned Chinese shops - the Chinese are mainly
interested in money and property; they tyrannize the Tibetans,
desecrate their temples and treat them with contempt. Of course, the
Chinese responded with a massacre, shooting every person, woman,
child in the area of the Jokhang Temple, the most sacred place to
Tibetan Buddhists in the world. Names of 219 dead were reported.
About 1000 are missing, some of them survived in the mountains, but
many bodies were taken to incinerators outside the city by the
Chinese.
And
the Tibetans? An endearing people full of joy. They love picnics in
nature, and sing and dance for days, whole extended families. Once I
wore a Tibetan skirt, a chuba, and walked part of the Lingkhor (a
sacred circumabulation route around Lhasa) together with everyone
else. I received so many warm comments, "Hi," "How are
you?" in English and Tibetan. I heard people talking about me,
"She speaks Tibetan (or: Chinese)," people smiled, made eye
contact, mainly women. That day I wrote, "It's so easy to make
the Tibetans happy;" it's enough just to put on a piece of
clothing... The Tibetans have suffered for over 60 years, genocide,
cruel oppression, unimaginable kinds of cultural oppression, for no
reason, only because of greed, and lack of understanding and
appreciation of the culture and the customs of this extraordinary
people.
In
the film “Seven Years in Tibet,” when Heinrich Harrer (Brad Pitt)
brags to the seamstress Pema Lhaki (Lhakpa Tsamchoe) about his
Olympic gold medal, she says, “This is another great difference
between our civilization and yours. You admire the man who pushes his
way to the top in any walk of life, while we admire the man who
abandons his ego.” About 1300 years ago, the Tibetans, a collection
of warring tribes scattered over the Himalaya, understood, as a
society, that they are killing each other, and that they need this
Dharma very much, this medicine for violence, that comes from the
thought to harm others, a thought that arises in an untrained mind.
Tibetan society as a whole, with all of its resources, devoted itself
to producing compassionate people.
Symbolic photograph - back gate of Tibet University during the curfew, March 2008. Would that our hearts would melt, and Tibet and all of us would know a different world, a peaceful world.
What do the Chinese have to say about Tibetan food? "I've never eaten their food. It's dirty." The Chinese traditionally eat with chopsticks, and look down on Tibetans who traditionally eat with their hands, like their Indian neighbors to the west and south.
Relief map of the Himalayan high plateau. The Tibetan area has distinct geographical boundaries, beginning from 3000 meters above sea level. The Tibetans are genetically adapted to the high plateau, whereas the Chinese tend to suffer from the high altitude. The typical Chinese attitude towards living in Tibet is reflected in the comments above.
Chinese lack of respect for Tibetans is prevalent in Lhasa.
Fortunately, many wonderful exceptions to this 'rule' can be found, both in China and abroad, such as the Chinese-Tibetan friendship societies (see end of post) and the work of the extraordinary Chinese historian Li Jianglin, whose book, "1959 Lhasa !" is banned in China:
Many Chinese Buddhists, both in and outside China, support Tibetan freedom.
Just as the Inuit people have many words for snow, because it is such an important part of their lives, so the Tibetans have many names for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Shown are four commonly used names for His Holiness. What is truly precious? Individuals who have conquered their ego, who have purified their mindstream, who have developed great compassion, are truly precious. Tibetan lamas languish in Chinese prisons for decades due to our ignorance about the preciousness of genuine spiritual teachers. Garchen Rinpoche spent 20 years in a Chinese prison:
Top right: The plaza in front of the Jokhang Temple.
The Dalai Lama has specifically requested Tibetans not to wear fur, in order to refrain from killing and to protect endangered species who have been massively hunted for fur and food by the Chinese. Therefore, wearing fur trimming is compulsory for Tibetan cadres.
At a Lhasa public school, Tibetan children have separate classes. Their classes are all conducted in Chinese, except for one 45 minute class per day in Tibetan. An ad for a Chinese language evening paper shows a Tibetan family reading Chinese.
Kyuk is the traditional cursive Tibetan script used by educated Tibetans in Lhasa. Workbooks for kyuk are no longer available in Lhasa. After friends scoured all the bookstores in Lhasa
looking for a kyuk workbook for me and couldn't find one, a friend gave me her own copy of this kyuk workbook. Ten letters in the Tibetan alphabet used for Sanskrit transliteration, shown on the right, are missing from workbooks Tibetan children now use to learn the alphabet.
Tulkus are Tibetan reincarnate lamas. The Panchen Lama is considered second to the Dalai Lama in Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lama is the sun, the Panchen Lama the moon, the Gyalwa Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorje, the day star, of Tibet. The 10th Panchen Lama was poisoned. The 11th Panchen Lama was abducted with his parents at age 6, in 1995, following recognition of his reincarnation by the Dalai Lama, and his whereabouts are unknown. The Communist Chinese have issued a law to control the reincarnation of Tibetan tulkus, although the Communists don't believe in any religion or in reincarnation at all. (Close pop-up and scroll for English: Past Lives - Science & Documentation - 3 Films)
Tibetans in exile continue the Monlam Chenmo tradition, celebrated two weeks after Losar, the Tibetan New Year, in India.
A Chinese article in 2009 claims that the Monlam Chenmo Festival continues in Lhasa today. The photo accompanying the article shows a typical debating session held at monasteries on any day of the year, but not the Monlam Chenmo celebration, as stated in the deceptive article.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama's birthday is a major Tibetan holiday, and, traditionally, the only birthday celebrated by Tibetans. The custom is to throw tsampa into the air, as an offering to the gods. A Tibetan from Lhasa, fondly recalling celebrating His Holiness' birthday, said, "We would all be covered in white. It was a lot of fun."
Tibetans have a custom that when a family member has died, the family does not celebrate the next Losar, Tibetan New Year. As an act of solidarity with the many families and victims, Tibetans chose to collectively forego the Losar celebration of 2009. The Chinese coerced Tibetans to celebrate, issuing special holiday payments. Tibetans who were found not celebrating risked prison. In a 2009, a TV program from mainland China aired in Hong Kong, showed the Tibetan Losar festivities.
Only people who know Chinese are eligible for government jobs, so Tibetans are at a severe disadvantage. There is a also generally a huge wage differential between Chinese and Tibetans. Clockwise from top left: Playing a dice game called 'sho'; Playing billiards; Beggars lined up near the Jokhang temple during Losar; A boulevard lined with kiosks full of Chinese and Tibetan prostitutes. (Top right and lower left photos are screenshots from the film: Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion)
Called "The Wolf" because of its two "ears," the Public Security Bureau building oversees Lhasa. Tea houses, hotel rooms, classrooms, streets, phones, Internet, all have surveillance. Lower left: Rooftop guard under an umbrella and surveillance camera overlook the plaza in front of the Jokhang Temple. Lower right: Behind the Jokhang Temple ticket seller, hidden from the visitor's view, is a security guard.
The Chinese government employs fake Tibetan monks to disgrace and discredit Tibetan Buddhism. Real Tibetan Buddhist monks never beg. On the left, a "monk" stands guard in the Barkhor, the route around the Jokhang Temple.
Many methods are employed to restrict, moniter and filter Internet sites, searches and content (not only in China...)
During 'sensitive times,' all Internet service is simply cut off in Tibet, for days, even weeks, at at time. There is no Youtube in Tibet.
Traditionally built houses are frequently razed, the residents displaced, and replaced with new "Tibetan style" houses.
...so that Rinpoche won't go to prison again! Getting caught with a photo of His Holiness can send someone to prison for five years.
(Photos above were all taken from published sources.)
The Chinese quickly erased signs of unrest. Below: A jewelry shop on a central Lhasa street, before and after its speedy repair. Top: Damaged building on a side street that remained untouched a year after the riots.
All these empty places are usually packed with people. Clockwise from top left: Tea house near the Potala Palace; Plaza in front of the Jokhang Temple (compare other photo above); Sidewalk and street in front of the Potala, usually filled with pedestrians, traffic and prostrators; Entrance to Ramoche Temple, the second most important temple in Tibetan Buddhism; View from the back gate (title slide) of the university.
Tibetan tea house at Tibet University; all the tea houses were permanently closed the day after this photo was taken, shortly after the riots. A sidewalk once packed daily with tables of mahjong players. After many months of inactivity, one lone table returned.
Many multinational interests bind Tibet. Tibet holds the source waters for all of Asia, so the environmental health of the Tibetan plateau has global importance.
Prof. Robert Thurman, author of "Why the Dalai Lama Matters," envisions that Tibet will be declared a global environmental peace park:
Chinese Communist propaganda, on banners, posters, pasted in taxis, and on a giant screen set up in front of the Potala, after the riots. The center poster shows two sisters, one Tibetan, one Chinese, in idyllic harmony.
More posters in Lhasa. Political reeducation is ongoing in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. Students, monks, officials are all required to sign statements denouncing the Dalai Lama.
Chairman Mao was responsible for the deaths of around 40 million Chinese citizens, including around 1.2 million Tibetans. His busts, sculptures and pictures came down all over China decades ago. But in Tibet, his picture still hangs on the walls of offices and in homes, like a protective amulet, showing allegiance to the Chinese Communist party.
"One must require from each one the duty which each one can perform," the king went on. "Accepted authority rests first of all on reason."
Tibetan adults enjoy all the playground equipment.
This slide presentation was first shown at Haifa University East Asian Studies Department, March, 2009, and then on two other occasions in Israel. Nothing has changed since then. This presentation is as relevant now as then. The Tibetan problem has only worsened over the years.
62 Tibetans have self-immolated and are demanding human rights, freedom of religion, cultural and linguist freedom, the right to be Tibetan in Tibet, and an end to over 60 years of oppression and cultural genocide.
