My main purpose is the promotion of Human Values - Dalai Lama

Yesterday His Holiness spoke to German broadcaster Deutsche Welle [wiki].

DW: Your Holiness, please tell us about the human rights situation in Tibet.

Dalai Lama: It's still very serious. About a month ago I met a Tibetan who spent eight years in a Chinese prison. His only crime, which took place in a village near Lhasa, was to express his own feelings.

China reacted harshly when you spoke about the issue of Tibet in Hamburg. Did that surprise you?

Not at all. Even I live in silence. There's always some sort of condemnation. They just keep going on like that.

What do you think of the German government's stance toward Tibet? Do you think Berlin does enough for your cause?

The German government is like other governments -- basically sympathetic. Certainly there's a sense of concern. The question is whether that's adequate. We appreciate expressions of concern from the outside world. That's necessary and helpful.

What are your goals when you visit other countries?

My main purpose and motivation is not the issue of Tibet, but rather the promotion of human values in order to have happier individuals, families and communities -- and, in that way, a happier humanity. I consider that to be my contribution. I think every human being has a responsibility to better the world. That's my conviction, and I always try to promote that. My second goal is the promotion of religious harmony. When I teach in India, more and more Chinese come. Sometimes, the Chinese government puts up restrictions to prevent Chinese from coming to India. But despite that, some Chinese always come. Many of them say that, after seeing the Tibetan community, they found big difference as to what they had heard in China. Eventually there's some positive impact.

You have said that you could be the last Dalai Lama. Could you please explain?

As early as 1969, I made clear in an official statement that it was up to the Tibetan people whether or not the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue. That means that if the majority of the Tibetan people decide that the old institution of the Dalai Lama is no longer relevant to the Tibetan nation, it will cease to exist. If I were to die soon, I think most of the Tibetan people would want to keep the institution. If I live on 20 or 30 years, it might be different. That's okay. That would be an end with dignity.

Do you ever hope to return to Tibet?

Oh yes. All Tibetans get homesick and hope to see their own country. Me, too. But at the same time, I'm a Buddhist monk. So mentally and personally one's own birthplace isn't all that important. There's a Tibetan saying: "Home is where you feel good, and your parents are anyone who does good things for you." [Editors Note: The Dalai Lama said this in Tibetan, English translation from news reports.] I really enjoy the very positive atmosphere of Hamburg. In the past nine days, I really feel it's my home. Many people, including those from the media, were full of smiles. Like friends.

DW's Hans Jürgen Mayer participated in the interview with the Dalai Lama

• Read the article on the Deutsche Welle web site.
• Read the artcile on the Phayul.com web site.
• Related: MP3 Audio news report from Radio DW
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"The human rights situation in Tibet is still very serious" - The Dalai Lama

From the EUX.TV web site:

On Monday the Dalai Lama, visiting the German city of Hamburg for a series of lectures and talks with supporters of Tibetan Buddhism in Europe, criticized the actions of Chinese security forces in Tibet.

"The human rights situation in Tibet is still very serious," the Dalai Lama said, adding that there had been repeated incidents with Chinese guards at the border.

"Many who tried to escape were shot," the exiled spiritual and political leader told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa, adding that Tibetan culture was being undermined by the Chinese.

"We notice that Tibetans who were born in India have more Tibetan qualities than Tibetans who were born in Tibet. The older generation were full of knowledge about Buddhism. They are almost gone," he said.

Asked if his popularity in western nations was a form of pressure on the Chinese government, he said, "My main motivation is not the Tibet issue. My concern is the promotion of human values ...

"When people ask me about Tibet, naturally I have to answer them.

"The Chinese are also showing more and more interest in Tibetan Buddhism. That is making their attitude on Tibet more positive," he added.

The Dalai Lama told the interviewers he disapproved of hunger strikes in protest at China by Tibetan students living in New Delhi.

"I can understand their frustration, because there has been no sign of improvements in Tibet," he said. "But from a Buddhist point of view I cannot approve. Suicide is also a form of violence."

Asked if it was possible he might be the last Dalai Lama, he said, "As I've often said, the institution of the Dalai Lama will remain in place as long as it is of use to the Tibetan people.

"If the majority of the Tibetan people decides that the institution is no longer necessary, then there will be no more Dalai Lama. When I soon die, I believe that a majority of the Tibetan people will want the institution to be continued.

"If the Tibetan situation develops positively in the next 20 to 30 years, then the majority of the people might decide that the Dalai Lama is no longer so important.

"I'm the 14th Dalai Lama. Not the best, but at the same time not the worst. Quite a popular Dalai Lama."

Read the article on the EUX.TV web site.
Related: The Dalai Lama begins Germany visit (Phayul.com)
Related: Upcoming Schedule (dalailama.com)

"Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness"-Dalia Lama

From the Phayul.com web site:

Welcoming His Holiness the Dalai Lama here this evening as the keynote speaker at the International Conference on children's rights and "A Promise for the Future", Mr Richard Moore, Director of Children in Crossfire told the conference delegates and guests that his organization could not find a better person in the world than His Holiness to address the conference marking the organization's 10th anniversary.

Mr Moore, who was blinded by a rubber bullet after being shot by a British soldier in Derry as a boy of 10 in 1972, founded Children in Crossfire to help other children across the world

His Holiness said that forgiveness is not a sign of weakness, but of greatness and explained how wonderful it was to see that Richard had not only forgiven the soldier whose gunshot blinded him at age 10, but also befriended the soldier and how the two had come together this morning to meet him privately at the Derry hotel where he was staying.

"If I face that kind of tragedy, whether I forgive or not I cannot say. But in his case he actually implements," His Holiness said, adding that Richard is also blessed with a caring mother and family.

Later, when His Holiness presented traditional Tibetan white scarves to both Richard and the soldier in appreciation for their present positive conduct, the audience gave a warm applause and standing ovation.

Read the entire story on the Phayul.com web site.

Buddhists offer prayers for Dalai Lama's long life

From the Daily India web site:

Buddhist monks and followers offered prayers for the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala to overcome, according to Tibetan astrology, the year of "obstacles" in his 73rd year.

"It is important that the Dalai Lama has a long life so that he can support the freedom fight for Tibet..."

Followers from Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Europe and America attended the congregation, as Nyigma monks [wiki] performed prayers for the long life of their spiritual leader.

Monks and nuns from Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug schools of Tibetan Buddhism also graced the occasion.

"We are all gathered here to offer long life ceremony to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. This year is his 73rd year, according to the Tibetan astrology, it is his obstacle year," said Rabjam Ripochi, a Bhuddhist monk from Nepal.

The Dalai Lama himself prayed along with the worshippers and followers.

Eijji, another Belgium follower said that for us, it was an ideal chance to see the Dalai Lama for the first time in my life.

"It is important that the Dalai Lama has a long life so that he can support the freedom fight for Tibet," said Arudot, another Belgium follower.

The Dalai Lama has lived in Dharamsala with thousands of his followers since a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959.

About 134,000 Tibetans live in exile, the vast majority in India or Nepal, and of them less than half were born in their homeland.

Read the article on the DailyIndia.com web site.
Buddha Lotus image by Jim Wisniewski, used with permission.