New Mexico Governor Discusses Tibet with His Holiness the Dalai LamaSaturday, 10 October 2009, 1:54 p.m.

In this photo provided by the Office of Governor Bill Richardson, New Mexico Gov. Richardson poses for a photo with his Holiness the Dalai Lama on Friday, 9 October 2009 in Washington. (AP Photo/Office of Governor Bill Richardson)

WASHINGTON D.C: New
Mexico Governor Richardson met with His Holiness the Dalai Lama Friday
to discuss the situation in Tibet and relations with the People’s
Republic of China.Governor Richardson said: “After my
conversation with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, I know that the spirit
of the Tibetan people remains strong, We agreed that the best way to
help the Tibetan people is for the U.S. and the world to continue to
press for a negotiated settlement for Tibet and also support the
efforts by the Chinese people to develop the rule of law, freedom of
information and an open society in China.“It’s clear to both
sides that the Tibetans are not seeking independence, but rather
genuine autonomy. There is a way forward that allows the Tibetans to
have genuine autonomy and thereby strengthens China’s territorial
integrity.”“At the conclusion of the meeting, Governor Richardson also took the opportunity to invite the Dalai Lama to visit New Mexico.”Thereafter,
His Holiness went to attend the final session of the Mind & Life
conference, which was on “Integrations, Reflections, and Future
Directions.” It was moderated by Roshi Joan Halifax, a Buddhist
teacher, Zen priest, anthropologist, and author. His Holiness’
co-panelists were Richard J. Davidson, William James and Vilas Research
Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, Takao K. Hensch, Professor of Neurology (Children’s
Hospital Boston) at Harvard Medical School and Professor of Molecular
and Cellular Biology (Center for Brain Science) at Harvard University,
Lee S. Shulman, president emeritus of The Carnegie Foundation for the
Advancement of Teaching, and Linda Darling-Hammond is Charles E.
Ducommun Professor of Education at Stanford University.This
final session reflected on the previous two days of dialogue. The
question of how the introduction of contemplative practices in formal
educational settings could complement, expand upon or reframe
contemporary educational reform efforts at these various levels, to the
extent such practices are adapted for public education settings in
culturally sensitive, developmentally appropriate and thoroughly
secular ways will also be discussed.The panelists thanked His
Holiness the Dalai Lama for being the inspiration for encouraging
research into the issue of compassion and human development.  His
Holiness in turn commended the fact that serious discussions are
beginning among educationists and scientists about the importance of
compassion in the education system.Mind & Life Chairman
Adam Engle gave the final remarks in which he informed the gathering
about the continuation of the discussions with the next conference, the
20th one, to be held in Zurich in Switzerland on the topic: Altruism
and Compassion in Economic Systems: A Dialogue at the Interface of
Economics, Neuroscience and Contemplative Sciences from 9 to 11 April 9
2010.Earlier in the morning a group of Chinese scholars from
China, including some signatories of Charter 08, called on His Holiness
the Dalai Lama. These scholars were on a visit to the United States. His
Holiness will give a lecture on Buddhism at American University on 10
October morning followed by a talk to the Tibetan American community.
In the afternoon, His Holiness will depart from Washington, D.C. on his
return trip to India.