His Holiness exchanges views on Tibet with Chinese Scholars
Tuesday, 29 July 2008, 5:29 p.m.
Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama exchanged views with Chinese scholars-based in US on the situation in Tibet and way forward on finding a mutually satisfactory solution for the Tibetan issue within the framework of the constitution of the People’s Republic of China.
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His Holiness met with seven Chinese scholars working in universities and other academic institutions-based in US in Aspen Institute, Colorado, on 26 July.
The meeting is part of an initiative of The Brookings Institute based in Washington, D.C.
Tibetan officials, including Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche, Special Envoy Lodi Gyari Gyaltsen, Chhime R. Chhoekyapa, secretary to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tashi Wangdi, representative of the office of Tibet, New York, Lobsang Nyandak, representative designate, Tsewang Phuntso, liaison officer, and Bhuchung K Tsering, member of task force attended the meeting.
Following the meeting with the Chinese scholars, His Holiness addressed a packed house on “Value-based leadership and Universal Responsibility”.
Speaking on his belief on the oneness of humanity despite apparent differences, His Holiness said we are physically and mentally same. His Holiness said: “Many of the problems in today’s world are man-made and arise due to too much emphasis on secondary issues like religion, race, etc.,” “We do this forgetting the basic humanity in all of us,” he added.
His Holiness said he considered himself a Marxist as he admired its socio-economic theory, but he was against the totalitarian thinking. His Holiness further said he identified himself as a liberal and democratic socialist.
His Holiness also talked about today’s globalised world and said the new reality is that the concept of “we” and “they” are no longer valid.
In terms of leadership qualities His Holiness said honesty, truthfulness, transparency, openness and vision are essential qualities for today’s leaders.
Following his formal remarks, His Holiness answered some questions posed in advance by the public.
Responding to a question on the Chinese government’s denunciation campaign, His Holiness said the denouncement of him by the Chinese authorities is not really a problem, adding, that even though the Chinese may try to demonise him, he is still a simple Buddhist monk.
However, the Chinese authorities’ forcing the Tibetan people to denounce him was a problem, which His Holiness said “a violation of the Tibetan people’s human rights and their religious freedom”.
His Holiness said he was saddened that the Chinese people did not have the opportunity to know the true picture and thus they may assume that the Dalai Lama is a bad person.
Following the public talk, His Holiness had a view of the sand Mandala and butter sculpture that were part of the symposium on the celebration of Tibetan culture. His Holiness led a brief prayer session in front of the Mandala.
In the afternoon, His Holiness attended a private reception in the residence of Mr. Richard Blum, member of the Board of Trustees of The Brookings Institution and thereafter left for the airport to leave United States from Denver.
–Report filed by Mr Bhuchung K Tsering. Editing by Lobsang CHOEDAK