His Holiness says respect different cultures and religious faiths

Saturday, 19 April 2008, 12:18 p.m.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks to a full house at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor. “It is important to keep one’s own tradition,” His Holiness told the crowd SUSAN TUSA/DFP

Dharamshala: His Holiness the
Dalai Lama called for the respect of different cultures and interfaith
understanding during a two lectures in Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor,
Michigan, on 19 April, which drew more than 10,000 listeners.

“I always believe since all different traditions have some
potential to bring inner peace, inner value … it is important to keep
one’s own tradition,” His Holiness said, urging the crowd to practice
the religion they were raised in and not convert, because all
traditions, His Holiness said, have something to offer, online portal
freep.com reported.

The lectures series in Crisler Arena was on the works of the
ancient Indian Buddhist master Nagarjuna, who promoted Buddhism about
2,000 years ago.

The lectures were primarily about Buddhism, but His Holiness
touched upon a range of faiths, including Greek Orthodox Christianity,
Hinduism, Judaism and Islam.

Actor Richard Gere was conspicuous by his presence in the front row in the audience.

On 20 April, His Holiness spoke on how each human being could
contribute to preserving the Earth’s environment, during the annual
Peter M Wege Lecture on Sustainability, sponsored by the University of
Michigan.

His Holiness and Mary Sue Coleman, University of Michigan president, share a laugh after His Holiness placed a khatak, a silk ceremonial scarf given as an offering, after his talk on sustainability for the Peter M. Wege Lecture Sunday LEISA THOMPSON | THE ANN ARBOR NEWS

“We have a responsibility to take care of the environment,” His Holiness said. “It is our only home.”
His Holiness said our survival hinges on personal compassion, which creates inner peace and lessens fear.

Many of our problems are self-created, yet we are a heavily
interdependent world, nation-to-nation and continent-to-continent.
“Therefore, the concept of war is outdated,” His Holiness said.

Later, in response to a question on whether sustainability
differed for rich and poor countries, His Holiness said gap between
rich and poor can lead to frustration, anger and violence. “Both sides
have a responsibility to reduce this gap,” His Holiness said.

Outside the arena, there were some protests staged by Chinese
despite His Holinesss’s open declaration that he is not seeking Tibet’s
separation and has supported China hosting this year’s Olympics.

Earlier on 18 April, addressing reporters, His Holiness said he
felt sorry for the recent protests disrupting the torch relays in
London and Paris, but he defended the demonstrators’ desire to express
their feelings about China’s poor human rights record.

His Holiness also said that he, from the beginning, has been steadfast in his backing of China hosting the Olympics.

Crisler Arena was filled to capactiy for the eighth annual Peter M. Wege Lecture, presented by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on sustainability on Sunday

In an exclusive meeting with some Chinese youths in Rochester,
Minnesota, His Holiness told them that he is not seeking Tibet’s
separation and has supported the Olympics in China.

His Holiness said: “The youths (Chinese) being filled with
emotions only understood that he did not seek independence and did not
oppose the Olympics,” adding, “Other than that they do not understand
the background.”

His Holiness has made it clear that his current visit to the
United States is apolitical and would focus on his commitments – the
promotion of human values and religious harmony.

His Holiness is scheduled to attend conferences at the Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, on 22 April.