His Holiness speaks to Queenslanders on community spirit and never giving up
[Wednesday, 15 June 2011, 7:11 p.m.]
Thousands listen to His Holiness the Dalai lama’s public talk on the spirit of never giving up in Brisbane,
Australia, on 15 June 2011
BRISBANE:
His Holiness reached Brisbane this morning to begin the Queensland leg
of his Australia tour. Upon landing, he gave his blessing to Shevaune
Conry, a local woman with Multiple Sclerosis who inspired the creation
of Youngcare, an organisation looking after young people in aged and
nursing homes.
His Holiness reached Brisbane this morning to begin the Queensland leg
of his Australia tour. Upon landing, he gave his blessing to Shevaune
Conry, a local woman with Multiple Sclerosis who inspired the creation
of Youngcare, an organisation looking after young people in aged and
nursing homes.
His
Holiness began his day with media interviews and later met with members
of Tibetan, Mongolian and Bhutanese communities at his hotel in the
city. His message that “China controls our country, but not our minds
and while we live in exile, it is our duty to tell the world about
Tibet” left the small Tibetan community with a strong sense of
responsibility. Addressing the members of all three communities, His
Holiness stressed on the importance of promoting the Buddhist culture
of love and compassion.
Holiness began his day with media interviews and later met with members
of Tibetan, Mongolian and Bhutanese communities at his hotel in the
city. His message that “China controls our country, but not our minds
and while we live in exile, it is our duty to tell the world about
Tibet” left the small Tibetan community with a strong sense of
responsibility. Addressing the members of all three communities, His
Holiness stressed on the importance of promoting the Buddhist culture
of love and compassion.
In
the afternoon, His Holiness gave a public talk on the spirit of never
giving up, a topic of immense value and relevance to the Queensland
community devastated by massive floods earlier in the year. The event
was organised by local charity organisation Karuna House. It drew a
diverse crowd of over 2,000 people, including many youngsters. As His
Holiness arrived at the open-air venue, everyone rose on their feet.
The crowd was deeply moved by His Holiness who blessed a number of
disabled people standing to greet him near the stage. His Holiness said
that the Queenslanders have shown the true spirit of a community
helping each other, when hit by one of Australia’s worst natural
disasters in recent times. He quickly added this goodwill and
generosity should transcend our geographical borders.
the afternoon, His Holiness gave a public talk on the spirit of never
giving up, a topic of immense value and relevance to the Queensland
community devastated by massive floods earlier in the year. The event
was organised by local charity organisation Karuna House. It drew a
diverse crowd of over 2,000 people, including many youngsters. As His
Holiness arrived at the open-air venue, everyone rose on their feet.
The crowd was deeply moved by His Holiness who blessed a number of
disabled people standing to greet him near the stage. His Holiness said
that the Queenslanders have shown the true spirit of a community
helping each other, when hit by one of Australia’s worst natural
disasters in recent times. He quickly added this goodwill and
generosity should transcend our geographical borders.
His
Holiness was delighted to know that a large number of students from
high schools and universities are part of the public forum. He said,
“We saw a lot of bloodshed in the past century. The youth now have a
large role to play in creating the 21st century one of peace. However,
peace is not just freedom from violence. Peace encompasses love and
compassion.” The universality of His Holiness’ message resonates with
all levels of Australian society. After listening to His Holiness’
talk, Jane Roach, a teacher and a Brisbane local, said, “I am not a
Buddhist, but the Dalai Lama is a messenger of hope and optimism.” 14
year-old Adam Brown thinks, “the Dalai Lama is cool”. State health
minister Geoff Wilson welcomed His Holiness to the event and gave his
note of appreciation for speaking to the people of Brisbane.
Holiness was delighted to know that a large number of students from
high schools and universities are part of the public forum. He said,
“We saw a lot of bloodshed in the past century. The youth now have a
large role to play in creating the 21st century one of peace. However,
peace is not just freedom from violence. Peace encompasses love and
compassion.” The universality of His Holiness’ message resonates with
all levels of Australian society. After listening to His Holiness’
talk, Jane Roach, a teacher and a Brisbane local, said, “I am not a
Buddhist, but the Dalai Lama is a messenger of hope and optimism.” 14
year-old Adam Brown thinks, “the Dalai Lama is cool”. State health
minister Geoff Wilson welcomed His Holiness to the event and gave his
note of appreciation for speaking to the people of Brisbane.
| His Holiness the Dalai Lama blesses a visually impaired woman during a public talk in Brisbane, Australia, on 15 June 2011 |
His Holiness will be in Queensland for the next two days. He will spend tomorrow at Chenrezig Institute in the Sunshine Coast.
–Report filed by Tsering Kyinzom
