His Holiness the Dalai Lama addresses Tibetans in Minnesota
[Monday, 9 May 2011, 12:18 p.m.]
His
Holiness the Dalai Lama told the Tibetans living in free countries to
shoulder greater responsibility to preserve their religion and culture,
reminding them that the Tibetans in Tibet risk their lives for such
cause.
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Addressing
the Tibetan community based in the US on Saturday, he said, “It is not
sufficient to be able to read and write Tibetan, in fact there is need
to have a deeper understanding of our heritage and a strong sense of
identity with a generational shift in Tibetan community.” Over 2000
Tibetans from Minnesota and neighbouring states attended His Holiness’
talk at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.
He
also advised to study the important Buddhist scriptures like Kagyur and
Tengyur instead of merely placing it on the altar. Talking about the
importance of the Tibetan Administration in exile, he commended the
Tibetans in Minnesota for their participation in the recent Tibetan
election.
His
Holiness talked about the reason for his middle way approach, which he
said was being supported by the international community. He also said
that China would have to change.
During
a meet the press event, His Holiness the Dalai Lama talked about his
life-long commitment for promotion of human values, religious harmony
and resolving the issue of Tibet.
He
said, “human beings are biologically equipped to have human affection
through cultivating inner strength and self-confidence. As the given
nature of different human dispositions, there is a need of a variety of
religions. However there is a potential of these coming together on
account of the commonality of their purpose.”
Speaking
on his firm decision to devolution of his political authority, he said
the Tibetan refugee community had matured in democratic process and
time was ripe to hand over the political responsibility to the elected
leadership.
He
highlighted the role of media in promoting public awareness about the
issues of human values and religious harmony. He reiterated his view
that the media needed to be like ‘an elephant using its long nose to do
all round investigation.’
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Recounting his
meeting with a Jewish community, His Holiness praised the Jewish people
for their perseverance in keeping their identity and culture for
centuries and sometimes even in hostile circumstances. He said that the
Jewish tradition depended on the family rather than on institution,
whereas in the Tibetan case there was much dependence on the
institution.Responding
to an 11 year old student seeking His Holiness advice to the younger
generation, he said that the 20th century was one of bloodshed and that
there was the need to make the present century a one without bloodshed.
His Holiness stressed the need to find realistic ways in resolving the
problems through dialogue and reconciliation.He
suggested the cultivation of inner disarmament and eventually leading
to external disarmament. His Holiness said this could be achieved
first by abolition of nuclear weapons and subsequently by a
demilitarized world.Tibetan
community president, Tsewang Ngodup presented a copy of detailed report
of his association to His Holiness and informed him about the
activities that the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota was
involved in partnership with the University of Minnesota, the Tibetan
Medical and Astro Institute, Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts and
TigerLion Arts.The
members of the Tibetan community presented two cultural performances,
including one especially composed in honor of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama.
