His Holiness Receives Honorary Degree from Southern Methodist University and Shares his Thoughts on Democracy[Tuesday, 10 May 2011, 3:12 p.m.]

His Holiness the Dalai Lama holds his Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree as he stands on stage with R. Gerald Turner, the president Southern Methodist University at the university’s 10th Hart Global Leaders Forum in Dallas, Texas, on May 9, 2011. Photo/Reuters

DALLAS:
His Holiness the Dalai Lama was awarded with an honorary degree by the
Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, for his lifelong
leadership in promoting peace, compassion and inter-religious
understanding.   He was greeted by the university president, Gerald Turner, Provost Paul Ludden, and other officials. His
Holiness addressed around 200 students from 45 schools in Dallas who
are participants of the Hart Global Leaders Forum. He told them that it
was important to realize that at the fundamental level we were all the
same human beings and that everything else was secondary. Welcoming
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mrs. Linda W. Hart and her husband, who
established the Hart Global Leadership Forum, said their quest to
search for influential speakers may have reached its pinnacle. Every
year the forum invites speakers who would make an impact on the
students. Mr Gerald Turner, the president of South Methodist
University, called His Holiness as an inspiration for millions and the
first Nobel laureate recognised for his concern for global
environmental problems. He highlighted His Holiness’ message of peace
and compassion and three commitments on promotion of human values,
promotion of religious harmony, and finding a solution to the Tibet
problem. His Holiness thanked the University for the honour
which he said is a great encouragement for an individual passing
through a difficult period with heavy responsibility. He also
acknowledged the presence of Mrs Laura Bush in the audience. His
Holiness mentioned the initiative reforms that he took in setting up of
a reform committee, which he said could not function due to invasion of
Tibet by the Communist China. But taking the opportunity of freedom in
exile, he implemented reforms, including instituting a system of
elected political leadership. Speaking on the electoral
reforms undertaken in the Tibetan community, His Holiness said that his
decision to devolve authority to the elected Tibetan leadership is his
total dedication to democracy. He lauded the United States as a
champion of democracy, freedom and liberty. He urged people not to be
discouraged by some economic problems and that they should hold onto
their principles and values. His Holiness said in order for
democracy to be meaningful, the leadership should be honest,
transparent and have a sense of responsibility, not merely during
election time.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks on stage next to translator Thupten Jinpa at Southern Methodist University’s 10th Hart Global Leaders Forum in Dallas, Texas, on May 9, 2011. Photo/Reuters

He
expressed his gratitude to the United States government and the
Congress for supporting the just struggle of Tibetans and praised the
effort made by former president George W. Bush in promoting democracy
and religious freedom. His Holiness advised the students to
take up the initiative and moral responsibility for a prosperous and
compassionate world and also to generate positive inner values. He
stressed the need for a holistic education to reduce the gap between
appearance and reality and to promote secular ethics. He asks the
people to be optimistic and never be demoralised or pessimistic. During
the question and answer session, His Holiness reiterated his position
for a solution to Tibet without seeking separation from the People’s
Republic of China. Tibet was materially backward and Tibetans wanted
modernization, but the same time Tibetans had separate language and a
rich culture and even the Chinese Constitution provided for autonomy
for nationalities, he said. Talking about the changes taking
place in China, His Holiness said that he is optimistic and mentioned
the new awareness among Chinese on Tibet. He said in the past two years
there were over 1000 articles in Chines on Tibet that supported His
Holiness’ approach and were critical of the Chinese government.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama answers a question from the audience after receiving an honorary degree at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, May 9, 2011. Photo/AP

Replying
to a question on how he could reconcile the promotion of democracy with
the idea of cultural imperialism, His Holiness said, “Democracy is
universal and not an American possession. If countries had strong
culture then there was no danger of cultural imperialism. The danger is
when a culture is weakened and a vacuum is created as in the case of
China after the Cultural Revolution.” His Holiness also talked about democratic practices prevalent in Buddhist communities as well as in India, Japan and Taiwan. Over
2,500 people attended the talk. The University has announced that due
to overwhelming demand, tickets for the general public were sold out. According
to the University, “Since its inception in 1999, the Hart Global
Leaders program has brought a series of prestigious speakers to the SMU
campus for seminars and forums, including former Presidents Gerald Ford
and George H. W. Bush, Gen. Colin Powell, former U.S. Secretary of
State Madeleine K. Albright and former British Prime Minister Tony
Blair. The program, which is committed to the development of young
people into ethical, responsible leaders and citizens, is made possible
through the generosity of Mitch and Linda W. Hart.” He also
met with former first lady, Laura Bush, who is a regent of SMU and also
attended His Holiness’s public talk subsequently. Earlier on
his arrival at Dallas hotel, His Holiness was welcomed by the former
Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Paula Dobriansky. Ms. Elsie
Walker, cousin of President George W. Bush and Ms Mary Beth Markey,
President of the International Campaign for Tibet.