His Holiness Addresses New York State Senate Session, Public Talk in AlbanyThursday, 7 May 2009, 9:28 a.m.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to the New York State Senate in Albany on Wednesday/Photo credit:Nathaniel Brooks for The New York Time

Albany, N.Y.: His
Holiness the Dalai Lama on Wednesday gave an interview to Newsweek
International Editor Fareed Zakaria for his program Fareed Zakaria GPS
on CNN.Prior to the formal interview, Mr. Zakaria informed His
Holiness about his father, Rafiq Zakaria, who was the Indian head of
mission to the United Nations in New York in 1965 when the UN General
Assembly passed its third resolution on Tibet. During the nearly
hour-long interview His Holiness responded to questions ranging from
his daily schedule, the situation in Tibet, his view on the possibility
of violence in Tibet, the current state of the dialogue process with
the Chinese leadership and his response to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s
statement on Tibet during an interview to Fareed Zakaria in September
2008. This interview will be aired on Sunday, 10 May.His
Holiness then departed for Albany, the capital of New York state,
around half-an hour plane ride away.  On his arrival in Albany, His
Holiness drove directly to the State Senate chamber where he was
received by Senate Majority leader Malcolm A. Smith. His Holiness was
then led into the Senate Chamber where both the Majority leader as well
as  Minority leader Dean Skelos welcomed him.  His Holiness bestowed
invocation to open the Senate’s session for the day.In his
brief address to the senators, His Holiness said, “I am very very happy
to come here” and felt honoured. He said that he was pleased to be
there “to show my deep respect to American values” of liberty, justice,
democracy, freedom. He said these are your true values and expressed
his respect and admiration.  His Holiness said that although he had
visited New York city a number of times, this was his first visit to
Albany.

The State Senate majority leader, Malcolm A. Smith, left, escorted His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Senate chamber, where the Dalai Lama briefly addressed lawmakers/Photo credit:Nathaniel Brooks for The New York Time

Looking
at the Chamber’s seating pattern showing the Republicans being a
minority, His Holiness joked saying, “My natural feelings is to side
with the minority and so my sympathy will be more to the Republican
side.” This was followed by much laughter in the Chamber.Returning
back to a serious note, His Holiness said that the Senate “really
demonstrates American democratic system, its adherence to the rule of
law as also complete freedom of press.” He said these are really
American power adding that it is really good that a superpower has such
values.His Holiness said that all human activities, including
religious teachings or any politics, ultimately depend on individual
motivation. He said even if there is a good system if the motivation of
the individual is not proper, then there may not be much of a success.
His Holiness emphasised the importance of honesty and truthfulness
which  are very much connected with compassion. He said compassion is
the prime mover of our activities. His Holiness added that he had firm
conviction that a compassionate mind brings honesty, truthfulness,
openness, which bring about positive atmosphere in one’s own family or
within the community. His Holiness also said that nowadays we are
facing terrorism and that ultimately answer for this must come from
compassion.His Holiness said that even at the individual level,
compassion was beneficial for individual health. He said that medical
scientists have confirmed that a compassionate mind is very essential
for health as it brings us inner strength, more self confidence and
inner peace of mind, which are extremely useful for our health.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama (2nd L) gives a public talk at Palace Theatre in Albany on 6 May 2009/Photo:OHHDL

Before
ending, His Holiness cracked another joke by saying that as he was
entering the chamber he was given a seat in the center, which he
thought meant he was elected to some position. He said he then thought
whether he should join the Democratic Party or the Republican Party or
to start a new party, which is challenging to both the parties. As His
Holiness concluded his remarks, the entire Senate gave a standing
ovation.There were 62 senators and over a 100 staff and observers.Soon
after His Holiness left the Senate Chamber, a resolution was passed
acknowledging his life time commitments and profound contribution to
the world.A press briefing was held in the afternoon. In his
brief opening remark His Holiness emphasised that the perception and
“we” and “they” has become almost redundant today with the world was
becoming closer. For instance the ecology problem affects the entire
humanity and so does the economic crisis. His Holiness said that
keeping in view the past experiences, we should find ways and means to
solve human problems in a non-violent manner. His Holiness also
responded to questions about his view on President Barack Obama. He was
positive and referred to his policy regarding Iran, I think it’s very
good. “A local newspaper quoted His Holiness as saying that what he
admires about the United States is not the power it can wield but
the beliefs upon which it was founded.” “I admire your ancestors’
principle; democracy, liberty, freedom, a completely independent
judiciary. These things are wonderful,” he said. “I feel it is
important, U.S. policy must carry with these principles.”Thereafter,
His Holiness met with leaders and staff of World Ethical Foundation
Consortium, the host of the Albany event.  He informed them that
despite criticism he visited Albany because he supports anyone who
works to promote ethics in this world.  They should work honestly and
transparently, His Holiness said, adding that they should work to clear
allegations if they are baseless.  If they have made mistakes in the
past – admit and apologise, he said.

The
afternoon’s public talk was held in the Palace Theatre and was attended
by 2800 people.  His Holiness was introduced by Albany Mayor Jerry
Jennings.  Following were the main points that His Holiness touched
upon in his talks.The human being are much more intelligent
than other beings. By nature we are compassionate.  We all survive with
mother’s care.  Those who have received affectionate care from parents
have greater ability to help others and their mental state is also
calmer.  If lacking that affection or worse case abuse from nearest
persons, then these persons have less feeling for other’s pain.  They
usually have feelings of insecurity, fear and distrust.If a
person is filled with insecurity and fear, even a small problem can
disturb the mind strongly.  On the contrary more calm and compassionate
people can develop their immune system.His Holiness said
compassion is not a religious matter but universal value. Inner values
are immensely beneficial to oneself and others.In answer to a
question of his postponement of the visit to Albany earlier, His
Holiness explained that he has moral responsibility to support any
person who carryout works on promotion of ethics.  He called for
thorough investigations into the allegations against the organization
that was hosting his visit.His Holiness departs Albany for India on 7 May.–Report filed by Bhuchung K Tsering of ICT