Update on His Holiness the Dalai Lama's France Visit
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The mayor was joined by the head Lama Gyourme, Sanghas (monastic community) and over two thousand people, including many French waving Tibetan national flag to welcome His Holiness. His Holiness was escorted to the main shrine hall, where the congregation offered Mandrel and prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's long life. His Holiness also blessed the shrine, Mani Lhakhang and stupa.
Following welcome addresses by the mayor and the bishop, His Holiness delivered a short speech on the importance of how we can lead a happy and compassionate life.
After having lunch His Holiness left for Plouray, where Druckchen Rimpoche's Centre is located. His Holiness was warmly received by the Mayor of Plouray, the head Lama Nawang, Sangas and over 3000 people. His Holiness had a similar program at Druckchen Rimpoche's Centre and spent a night at the center on 14 August.
On 15 August, His Holiness left for Nantes by a special VIP helicopter and two helicopters for the entourage. On his arrival in Nantes, His Holiness was warmly received by the mayor of St herblain, Pema Wangyal Rimpoche and the president of Association Oceane de Sagesse, the organizer for His Holiness' pubic talk and the teachings which is being held from 16 to 20 August at Zenith de Nantes, Metropole.
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Later in the afternoon, His Holiness gave a public talk to 10,500 people on "Universal Peace through Inner Peace" to a capacity crowd of 7000 people with an additional 200 more seats. Rest of the people sat outside to watch His Holiness on screen and listen to his talk. Towards the end of His talk His Holiness went out to see those who could not get in and he asked them if they had saw and heard his talk. All responded positively and respectfully to His Holiness' inquiry and many were waving Tibetan national flag.
His Holiness said: "Since my arrival in France I saw many French people waving Tibetan flag and I very much appreciate your solidarity for the Tibetan cause because this flag is the symbol of Tibet as a nation having very rich and ancient culture. In 1954 I visited China and had meetings with Chairman Mao, during one of my meetings Mao asked me whether Tibet has a flag. I told Mao we have a flag. Then he told me Tibet is a special case and you all should keep that special flag which is important. So I got permission from Chairman Mao to keep this flag and thank you for keeping the flag to show your solidarity for the Tibetan cause."
On 16 August, Mme Segolene Royal called on His Holiness to express her and the Socialist Party's solidarity for the Tibetan cause. His Holiness appreciated the gesture and briefed the former French Presidential candidate on Tibet-China dialogue from 2002-2008; the situation in Tibet today where Tibetans have no opportunity to exercise their fundamental right; Tibetans being marginalized by the Chinese governments policy of population transfer to Tibet; importance of Tibetan culture and religion not only for Tibetans but to those people living in northern India, Mongolia and the three Russian republics who share the same cultural and religious heritage.
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Mme Royal expressed her desire to visit Tibet, which His Holiness appreciated and encouraged her so that she can see the actual condition of Tibetan people in Tibet. His Holiness said he would instruct Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen to meet her so that more details on the issue of Tibet can be updated to her. Then His Holiness left for Zenith de Nantes Metropole to begin a five-day teaching series.
In the afternoon of 17 August, His Holiness had 40 minutes meeting with a Chinese dissident delegation of 10 people led by Wei Jingshen, including one Uighyur representative living in Germany. They expressed their solidarity to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's approach to resolve the issue of Tibet through peaceful dialogues and negotiations.
In the afternoon of 18 August, His Holiness visited the Town Hall of Nantes city for an official reception hosted in honour of his visit to Nantes by the city Mayor.
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Mayor Jean Mare Ayrult is also an MP and leader of the Socialist Party at the French National Assembly - the lower House of French Parliament. The mayor and his officials received His Holiness warmly and escorted to the mayor's office attended by very important dignitaries only.
Mr Ayrukt expressed his solidarity to His Holiness the Dalai Lama's policy to resolve the issue of Tibet through dialogues and requested him to explain the current situation in Tibet and the process of dialogue with the Chinese government.
His Holiness very much appreciated the mayor's support and explained the current situation in Tibet according to the available information and the dialogue process.
His Holiness said: "We gave our right hand to the Chinese government and the left hand to our supporters in the free world for help to solve our problem, but the right hand is empty and even burning without getting anything. So it is natural we ask help from supporters like the mayor and you all."
His Holiness and the mayor exchanged gifts, which was followed by an address by His Holiness.
In his address, His Holiness spoke on the importance of preserving Tibet's environment since major rivers of Asia originates from Tibet and flow to China, India and other south east Asian countries where millions of people depend their livelihood on the free clean flow of water from these major rivers.
His Holiness also emphasised the importance of genuine and trusted relation between the two most populous nations - India and China, as that will have tremendous effect not only on finding out a solution to the Tibet problem and for peace and stability in Asia. The gathering very much applauded His Holiness the Dalai Lama's talk. At the end of the function some media persons asked His Holiness why the French President Sarkozy and the foreign minister did not meet him? His Holiness replied: "Ask them, but President Sarkozy is a young energetic person."
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Earlier on 19 August, His Holiness the Dalai Lama made a short visit to a Vietnamese Buddhist Pagoda for blessing.
In his brief address at the Pagoda, His Holiness said: "Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese are older Buddhists and Tibetans are younger as Buddhism spread to Tibet later." His Holiness said Tibetans and Vietnamese went through similar circumstances as both are subjugated by communist regimes.
His Holiness said in the 21st century communism is declining and Buddhism is spreading especially to the west, although Buddhism originated in the east. Therefore, Buddhists should be proud of, but should work hard for preservation and promotion, His Holiness added.
His Holiness further said: "We Buddhists never say please follow Buddhism." His Holiness also underlined the preservation and promotion of Vietnamese's own culture and foster better unity among themselves irrespective of their faith as all Vietnamese have their same culture.
From 15 - 17 August, some 350 Dholgyal propitiators were seen carrying placards and distributing literature away from the teaching venue. His Holiness made a brief explanation on Dholyal issue, which was very much appreciated by the devotees attending the teachings.
Since the beginning of the teachings, every day His Holiness gave at least two interview opportunities for French television and print media. There has been extensive and good media coverage by the French media of His Holiness' visit.
His Holiness will confer Padmasambhava Empowerment to the devotees in the morning of Wednesday, 20 August.
On Thursday, His Holiness will leave for a one-day visit to Solgyal Rinpoche's Lerab Ling Buddhist center.
--Report filed by Representative Jampal Chosang, in Paris. Editing by Lobsang CHOEDAK
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