His Holiness speaks to CNN, gives talk on religious harmony in Miami[Wednesday, 27 October 2010, 4:51 p.m.]

His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s talk “The Quest for Happiness in Challenging Times” at the University of Miami on 26 October 2010/Photos/University of Miami

Miami: His
Holiness the Dalai Lama began his last day of programmes for this
current tour of the United States and Canada by giving an interview to
CNN International’s Hala Gorani on 26 October.  The questions
include highlight of the visit, his views on China and Liu Xiaobo, and
how to practice compassion.  His Holiness mentioned his “serious
discussions” with scientists at Stanford and Emory universities as
being the main purpose of this current visit. On the award of the Nobel
Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo from China, His Holiness said that when he
received the award in 1989 he said he took it as recognition of his
work on the promotion of compassion. Similarly, he felt that Liu has
dedicated himself for a better China and freedom of the individual. He
is among those Chinese who are calling for a more open China. His
Holiness said the Nobel Prize is recognition of his good work.Thereafter,
His Holiness left for Temple Emanu-El in Miami Beach, the venue of his
talk on “The Significance of World Religions.”  The event was sponsored
by Temple Emanu-El, Florida International University (FIU), Florida
Memorial University and University of Miami and was attended by around
1500 invited guests.His Holiness was introduced to
representatives of the Jewish faith, the Catholic and Protestant
churches, Islam, Hinduism, Jainism and Taoism prior to his talk.  Prof.
Nathan Katz of Florida International University’s Department of
Religious Studies gave the welcome remark.Latin Grammy Award
Winning flautist Nestor Torres performed a short musical interlude,
which the organisers say was dedicated to the His Holiness.His
Holiness addressed the gathering thereafter by greeting his “spiritual
brothers and sisters.” He appreciated the flute recital, particularly
praising the musician’s gesture as he performed.His Holiness
said promotion of religious harmony was one of his two commitments.  He
talked of the need for different religions to exist in order to satisfy
the different spiritual and mental dispositions of people.  He said if
we look at the philosophical level, there are big differences between
different religions. But, all religions have the same messages of love
and compassion, and they all have the potential to help humanity, he
added.His Holiness outlined four possible ways in which
religious harmony could be promoted.  He said firstly, scholars on
religion could meet and discuss different aspects of religions and the
commonality in them.  Secondly, he said religious practitioners could
come together to discuss similar issues.  Here he recalled his
discussions with the Trappist monk Thomas Merton. Thirdly, he said,
meetings of religious leaders could be convened to promote the common
message. He talked about such a summit that was convened by Pope John
Paul II in Assisi in 1986.  Fourthly, he suggested that religious
leaders and practitioners could undertake group pilgrimages to the
sacred sites of the different religions.  He talked about his own
positive personal experience when he undertook such pilgrimages in
Varanasi in India as well as in Jerusalem.  He also recalled his
experience having to teach the Gospel in England at one time.During
the Question & Answer, His Holiness was asked that if an
intelligent person makes a bad decision, what would have gone wrong. He
replied that basically it would be on account of the lack of knowledge
of the reality.  His Holiness said that without full knowledge, people
will tend to adopt unrealistic approach.  When making decisions, he
said emotion should not be involved and there was the need to be
objective.  People should also look at a problem not just from one
dimension but from three or four dimensions.  He said it would not be a
question of right or wrong decisions, but one of realistic or
unrealistic decisions.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with supports during his visit to the University of Miami on 26 October 2010

When
asked what was the toughest and the most difficult thing he had gone
through, His Holiness said the period when he lost his individual
freedom at the age of 16 and when he lost his country at the age of 24
was a difficult one.  He said when he had to leave Tibet in 1959 it was
very sad. Another questioner wanted to know how to feel joyful
in the face of a tragedy. His Holiness said basically it boils down to
being realistic and quoted the eighth century Indian Master Shantideva
about analysing a problem and not worrying if it has a solution but
learning that it will be useless to worry if there is no solution.  He
said this message is very realistic.  He also suggested that something
that one perceives as a problem may also have a positive angle. His
Holiness concluded by suggesting that while promoting the commonality
among religions, it is important for people to be aware about the
fundamental differences, too, so that they have a complete
perspective.  If the differences were not mentioned and the commonality
is highlighted at a superficial level, then it will not mean much and
will be hypocritical, he added.“In hosting this interfaith
event, His Holiness reminds us of the key role of tolerance and
understanding in navigating the complicated times we live,” FIU
Professor of Religious Studies Nathan Katz is quoted as saying in a
statement. “His message is one of unity and peace in the global
community,” Prof. Katz has added.His Holiness then left for the
University of Miami where he had his lunch.  In the afternoon, His
Holiness gave a public talk on “The Quest for Happiness in Challenging
Times,” at the University’s BankUnited Center to more than 7000
students and other guests.In a statement announcing the talk,
University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala said, “We are honored
once again to host His Holiness the Dalai Lama on our campus.”   “His
Holiness teaches us all an important lesson in hope, compassion, and
humility,” she added.His Holiness was introduced to the gathering by University of Miami’s Executive Vice President and Provost, Thomas LeBlanc.His
Holiness began by explaining the nature of his current tour of North
America.  He said this was his last engagement and that the main
purpose was to meet with scientists at Stanford and Emory
universities.  He said he would be departing from Miami after the talk
and returning to his home in India tomorrow morning.His
Holiness said he and some of the people in the audience belong to the
20th century and that a majority of the people here, the students,
belong to the 21st century.  He asked the students to be prepared for
the 21st century by not only taking care of their education,  but also
their heart and inner values.He talked about the scientific and
technological development in the past two centuries and added that in
the 20th century the development was quite amazing. He talked about the
development of the nuclear bomb and neutron bomb and their negative
impact. He said the 20th century also turned out to be a century of
bloodshed. His Holiness thus said that technological development itself
was not a guarantee for world peace. His Holiness talked about
today’s world being heavily interdependent.  He said he learned that
the University of Miami has students from around 100 countries and
added that we are all same as human beings.  He said that differences
will always be there and urged the people to learn to be respectful of
each other and to find nonviolent path to resolution of conflicts.  We
need to promote this century as a century of dialogue, he added.His
Holiness expanded on the need to cultivate inner peace and affection
for a more peaceful society.  He said we should not consider the
promotion of compassion and love as mere religious matters.  They are
very much a part of our life, he added. His Holiness then
talked about the promotion of compassion through three different ways. 
Those believers who subscribe to Theistic religions regard all human
beings as created by the supreme God and so from that perspective
develop compassion towards all.  Secondly, those who follow the
non-theistic religious traditions, like Buddhism and Jainism, believe
in the Law of Causality and therefore should cultivate compassion that
will be in the interest of all. He said there needs to be a
third way to promote compassion, which should apply to even those who
do not subscribe to any religion.  His Holiness called this the
promotion of secular ethics.  He said that some of his Christian and
Muslim friends have reservation of his use of the term “secular” as
they feel it means being against religion. He, however, clarified that
the term should be understood in the same spirit as it is found in the
Indian Constitution, namely being respectful of all religious
traditions.  His Holiness said this third way simply uses common sense
and common experience as well as scientific findings, without touching
religion to promote inner values. His Holiness then answered
some questions during which he talked about optimism that mankind was
basically becoming more positive.  He referred to the increase in
environmental awareness during the latter part of the 20th century, the
growing voices against war and the closer relationship between science
and spirituality as indicators of this.His Holiness was given a resounding applause at the conclusion of his talk. The
Florida media carried reactions from the audience. “He advocates for
human freedom. He is a man who has been denied and oppressed, but he
has never allowed that to let him hurt others,” said Imam Nasir Ahmad
of Masjid Al-Ansar mosque in Miami, who waited outside Temple Emanu-El
with members of his congregation, is quoted by the Miami Herald as
saying.Florida’s CBS TV station had the following reaction from the audience.”I
loved how he preached a message of tolerance which is important in
today’s society. I liked how he talked about being a good person
doesn’t mean you have to be religious. You can still have good morals
and values and not be religious. I loved how it was so informal and it
was really positive,” said religious studies major Abigail Garner.”I
loved how it was so objective. You don’t get that from any other
leaders, especially religious leaders. They’re always so biased. Even
if his message is so simple, it’s correct and it’s beautiful,” said
student Max Keil.”It’s amazing that he’s so open. He’s such a
faithful Buddhist, but he’s so open to other religions. It was really
interesting how he said to not be so dedicated to one religion. It was
amazing how open and objective he is. Objectivity is what really stuck
with me,” said Elizabeth Chung.His Holiness then left Miami for
New York and will be departing from there for India on 27 October
2010.   During this trip, which began on 11 October 2010, His Holiness
visited California, Georgia, Ohio, Toronto (in Canada), Florida and New
York. (Report filed by Bhuchung K Tsering)