His Holiness promotes warm heart in Finland
Sunday, 1 October 2006, 9:30 a.m.
Helsinki: Whether addressing
the public talk or separately speaking to the large media gathering, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his happiness to be able to again visit Finland
and made clear that his two-day visit was only to promote the development of warm heart and inter-religious harmony in accordance to his three commitments in life.
His Holiness with members of the 2006 Finland Visit Organising Committee |
However, despite explaining the reason for his current trip to the Finnish capital Helsinki, there was a strong show of the public and media interest on Tibet with one reporter even asking during the afternoon’s meeting with the press about the impact China’s recent introduction of railways was having on Tibet and to which His Holiness replied that we will have to ‘wait and see’. The meeting with the press opportunity was arranged as there was no time to accommodate into His Holiness’s busy schedule all the requests for one-on-one interviews. It was attended by more than 60 journalists representing all the Finnish and international media, including the official Chinese news agency Xinhua, to whom His Holiness also extended the invitation to ask questions.
Ms. Tuula Saarikoski, on behalf of the organisers, while introducing His Holiness at the meeting with the press also updated them on how recently His Holiness
was also honoured with the awarding of the Honorary Canadian Citizenship and the US Congressional Gold Metal, the rarely-given highest American civilian
award in recognition of his peace work for Tibet and the world.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Helsinki on 29 September from the United
States and was received at the airport by Mrs. Kesang Y. Takla, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Northern Europe, the Baltic States and
Poland, and by Mrs. Cecilia Innanen, Chairperson of the Finnish-Tibetan Cultural Association, which jointly with the Service Centre for Development
Cooperation (KEPA) had invited His Holiness for his current fourth visit to Finland. Members of the Visit Organising Committee representing both organisations were also present to welcome His Holiness at the
airport VIP lounge.
His Holiness last visited Finland in 1998.
His Holiness greeting people who could not get a place in the main hall during the public talk |
Following the meeting with the press, His Holiness spoke extempore to an audience of people from all walks of life who had not only filled Helsinki’s
Finlandia Hall but had even packed two adjoining halls where the public talk was shown live on large screens. His Holiness said that as a fellow human being he
feels that it is also his duty to promote human values, such as warm-heartedness, and that as a religious person he has the responsibility to promote
inter-religious harmony.
The Tibetan leader emphasised that these two commitments he has voluntarily taken upon himself to fulfill for the rest of his life. His Holiness, however, mentioned that as a Tibetan and as the Dalai Lama, he has the moral
responsibility to work for the Tibet issue, adding that this involuntary commitment would come to an end when he and the Tibetan people are able to return to Tibet with a certain degree of freedom when he will give up all his legitimate powers and lead a retired civilian life.
Speaking on the topic, A Human Approach to World
Peace, His Holiness said that to understand the
concept of a warm heart we need only to think about
the time when we were born and received all the care
and affection of our mother. He said that everyone
has the moral responsibility to work for world peace
and that we can also develop genuine and unbiased
compassion even towards ones so-called enemy.
Describing what he called the ‘secular ethics’, His
Holiness said that we can all develop and promote
positive mental attitudes, such as compassion and
forgiveness, through reason and not by relying on
religion. His Holiness, who has authored many books,
including the best-selling, “The Art of Happiness”
also pointed out that we must respect each other as
same fellow human beings and understand that just as
you want happiness, the others also want happiness and
do not want suffering.
“We can cultivate calm and compassionate mind in the
society not by using guns but by warmly hugging each
other”, His Holiness said to the accompaniment of a
loud applause from the audience.
The Tibetan Nobel Peace Laureate was given by the
audience yet another round of applause when he
appealed especially to the younger generation to make
this century “a century of peace and dialogue”. The
public talk that was jointly organised by the
Finnish-Tibetan Cultural Association and the Service
Centre for Development Cooperation (KEPA) concluded
with a lively question and answer session and vote of
thanks to His Holiness given by Ms. Heidi Hautala,
member of the Finnish Parliament and Chairperson of
KEPA. His Holiness was earlier welcomed and
introduced to the audience by Prof. Juha Janhunen,
President of the Finnish-Tibetan Cultural Association.
Commenting on the public response to His Holiness’
talk, Ms. Innanen said she was lost for words by the
warmth with which the Finnish people welcomed and
turned in large numbers to see and hear His Holiness.
“People said His Holiness’ speech was simple and easy
to understand and apply in one’s life. People were so
appreciative and grateful. You could hear their
applauses,” she said.
Report sent by the Office of Tibet, London