Dalai Lama: Dialogue only way to solve human problems[Monday, 28 June 2010, 11:44 a.m.]

His Holiness the Dalai Lama meets with Chinese journalists, professors and scholars in Yokohama, Japan on June 27th, 2010. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL

Yokohama (Japan), June 27:
Using violence in the form of fear and repression cannot solve human
problems because fear saddles the mind with needless suspicions and
anxiety and blocks the trust and friendship essential to bring real
peace and harmony, said His Holiness the Dalai Lama while talking to a
group of 28 Chinese journalists, professors, and scholars at an
informal meeting at the Intercontinental Grand Hotel in Yokohama this
evening.“The only mutually beneficial way to solve these
problems is through face-to-face meetings and talks,” he said, adding
Chinese president Hu Jintao’s vision of creating a harmonious society
is very relevant in this context. Since the establishment of
the People’s Republic of China some 60 years ago, the Chinese
government has made great achievements but real harmony is yet to be
achieved and this is clearly evidenced by President Hu’s harmonious
vision for China in the 21st century, said His Holiness. “Harmony comes
from the heart, and not by force,” he added.“Whether they
accept it or not, Tibet is a problem,” he said. Tibetans in Tibet still
live in fear without freedom to express themselves, to protect and
promote their culture, language, and faith. He said just as Chinese
people love their culture and language, Tibetans also have the right to
cherish the same feelings.His Holiness said in the last few
decades, global interests in Tibetan culture and religion have
increased because more people now realize that Tibetans can contribute
much to the world in developing inner values of peace and compassion;
even well-known scientists are now deeply engaged in exploring and
researching the scientific and philosophical aspects of Tibetan
Buddhism in bringing holistic well-being to all human beings
irrespective of their faiths. Responding to a question from a
Chinese journalist, His Holiness said when the protests   against the
Chinese government erupted in Lhasa in March 2008, the Chinese
leadership including Premier Wen Jiabao accused the Tibetan exiles in
India of instigating the protests which later spread to vast areas of
the Tibetan plateau . “I immediately invited the foreign press and the
Chinese authorities to Dharamsala so they could see for themselves what
we Tibetans are doing in exile,” he said. The publications of
false reports repeating the same accusations kept appearing in the
Chinese state media. “After that on few occasions during my foreign
visits, I met with some very upset and angry Chinese protesters; I even
tried to explain the reality but they wouldn’t listen,” he said,
“that’s why I believe it’s important to meet Chinese press during my
visits abroad so I could give them real information.” His
Holiness said since 1979 during the late Premier Deng Xiaoping’s reign,
he made many attempts to solve the Tibet issue through talks. There was
a real possibility of solving the issue in the early 1980s after
Chinese leader Hu Yaobang’s made a well-publicized visit Tibet, but
that hope ended soon after Hu’s purge and later his sudden death, he
said. The re-establishment of contacts between Beijing and Dharamsala
since 2002 has so far culminated in nine meetings but without any
concrete headway. He also said he is uncertain about the reasons behind
the recent posthumous honor bestowed upon Hu Yaobang by the Chinese
leadership.     In his reply to another journalist about his
wish to visit Tibet, His Holiness said, “It is not about me wanting to
visit Tibet or not, they [the Chinese government] are not allowing me.”
He said the Chinese government did not respond to his request to visit
the Tibetan area of Yushu to comfort the victims of the deadly April 14
earthquake. “The Chinese embassy in New Delhi did not accept my
donation for the earthquake victims,” he said, adding he had always
wanted to visit Tibet way back in 1984 and also wanted to undertake a
pilgrimage to Wutaishan mountain in China. On the fate of
Middle Way approach after his passing away, His Holiness said since
2001, the Tibetan exiles have been electing their leaders to head the
exile Tibetan administration. “I don’t decide anything and that’s the
truth.” The elected representatives make decisions and formulate
policies, he said. Majority of the Tibetan people agree on the Middle
Way as the best way to solve the Tibet issue because it is a mutually
beneficial solution; even some intellectuals in China believe so, said
His Holiness.