His Holiness the Dalai Lama Continues Sweden Visit in Lund
[Sunday, 17 April 2011, 8:13 a.m.]
| His Holiness the Dalai Lama with IM board, staff and special guests after lunch reception to His Holiness the Lund on 16 March 201/Photo by Lotta Gyllensten/Office of Tibet |
LUND,
SWEDEN: Having touched down at Malmö airport in the Scanian lowlands of
south Sweden the plane taxied in, the door was opened and His Holiness
the Dalai Lama stepped out under the grey clouds with his kind smile
spreading a good atmosphere. His Holiness was met by Mr Håkan E
Wilhelmsson, president of SOIR-IM (the Swedish Organisation for
Individual Relief /Individuell Människohjälp).
SWEDEN: Having touched down at Malmö airport in the Scanian lowlands of
south Sweden the plane taxied in, the door was opened and His Holiness
the Dalai Lama stepped out under the grey clouds with his kind smile
spreading a good atmosphere. His Holiness was met by Mr Håkan E
Wilhelmsson, president of SOIR-IM (the Swedish Organisation for
Individual Relief /Individuell Människohjälp).
Ms
Annika Annerby Jansson, Mayor of Lund, welcomed His Holiness to the
city of Lund by inviting him to lunch. Among the distinguished guests
for lunch were the leading politicians of the municipality as well as
leaders and board members of SOIR-IM.
Annika Annerby Jansson, Mayor of Lund, welcomed His Holiness to the
city of Lund by inviting him to lunch. Among the distinguished guests
for lunch were the leading politicians of the municipality as well as
leaders and board members of SOIR-IM.
A
special guest and a dear friend of His Holiness was Ms Anina Fenneberg,
daughter of Brita and John Fenneberg, the legendary Danish-Swedish
couple who in 1959 on the initiative of Prince Peter of Denmark started
to receive Tibetan youngsters in exile to their home in Denmark. The
Fennebergs made contacts with IM-SOIR in Sweden, and soon Tibetan
youngsters started to come to Sweden also. In the mid sixties IM-SOIR
started operations in India to assist the stream of refugees from Tibet
with the Fennebergs as leaders. Today SOIR-IM is cooperating with the
Central Tibetan Administration within the fields of education, health
and environment.
special guest and a dear friend of His Holiness was Ms Anina Fenneberg,
daughter of Brita and John Fenneberg, the legendary Danish-Swedish
couple who in 1959 on the initiative of Prince Peter of Denmark started
to receive Tibetan youngsters in exile to their home in Denmark. The
Fennebergs made contacts with IM-SOIR in Sweden, and soon Tibetan
youngsters started to come to Sweden also. In the mid sixties IM-SOIR
started operations in India to assist the stream of refugees from Tibet
with the Fennebergs as leaders. Today SOIR-IM is cooperating with the
Central Tibetan Administration within the fields of education, health
and environment.
During
a press conference approximately 50 journalists were assembled. His
Holiness stated that the free world has a moral obligation to give
moral support to those persons in China who have the courage to raise
their voices against the Chinese government, “China needs a political
reform”. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who had recently “voluntarily,
happily and proudly” stepped down from the political responsibility,
keeping the religious responsibility explained the importance of a
separation between political and religious leadership.
a press conference approximately 50 journalists were assembled. His
Holiness stated that the free world has a moral obligation to give
moral support to those persons in China who have the courage to raise
their voices against the Chinese government, “China needs a political
reform”. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who had recently “voluntarily,
happily and proudly” stepped down from the political responsibility,
keeping the religious responsibility explained the importance of a
separation between political and religious leadership.
A
two hour event in a sports arena in Lund gathered an audience of over
3000 persons. As in the Stockholm event, the day before, the program
started with an introduction from the representatives of IM-SOIR and
the singer Mr Lars Winnerbäck.
two hour event in a sports arena in Lund gathered an audience of over
3000 persons. As in the Stockholm event, the day before, the program
started with an introduction from the representatives of IM-SOIR and
the singer Mr Lars Winnerbäck.
The
interviewer, Mr Johan Wester, a well known Swedish comedian, is
described as a humorous man with depth. His task was to have dialogue
with His Holiness the Dali lama, described as a deep man with a sense
of humor.
interviewer, Mr Johan Wester, a well known Swedish comedian, is
described as a humorous man with depth. His task was to have dialogue
with His Holiness the Dali lama, described as a deep man with a sense
of humor.
On
the question of what to teach children His Holiness said that “our real
hope lies in the younger generation. No one wants the troubles of the
world. Instead we want a calm and compassionate world. The proper way
must be in a compassionate way with maximum affection and care.” In his
own case, a certain amount of His Holiness’ compassion came from his
mother. She was the wife of a farmer and illiterate but very
compassionate. Therefore all her children grew in full affection. This
is what His Holiness would like to share with the children of today.
the question of what to teach children His Holiness said that “our real
hope lies in the younger generation. No one wants the troubles of the
world. Instead we want a calm and compassionate world. The proper way
must be in a compassionate way with maximum affection and care.” In his
own case, a certain amount of His Holiness’ compassion came from his
mother. She was the wife of a farmer and illiterate but very
compassionate. Therefore all her children grew in full affection. This
is what His Holiness would like to share with the children of today.
His
Holiness said that it must sound strange that he so forcefully tells
others that religious and political institutions must be separate
whilst he himself for many years both had the religious and political
responsibility. “I am fully for democracy, also when I was in Tibet. In
1953 I set up a reform committee. But the Chinese wanted a reform
according their system. Our ideas could be a hindrance to their
reform.” So eventually, in 1959 he fled together with 150 000 of his
fellow Tibetans to India. He described how the exile Tibetans took care
of themselves, but with immense help from others such as from groups
and individuals in Scandinavia. His Holiness specially mentioned the
Fenneberg family and Prince Peter of Denmark, “I will not forget their
kindness”. Together with his people they started to work for
democratization. In 2001 the position of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
became “semi-retired”. 10 years as a semi-retired leader was enough. He
asked rhetorically, “I also have human rights?” So he formally asked
the parliament to be released from the political responsibility and the
19 March 2011 the decision was taken. Thus a four century tradition had
come to an end and was replaced by a fully democratic system.
Holiness said that it must sound strange that he so forcefully tells
others that religious and political institutions must be separate
whilst he himself for many years both had the religious and political
responsibility. “I am fully for democracy, also when I was in Tibet. In
1953 I set up a reform committee. But the Chinese wanted a reform
according their system. Our ideas could be a hindrance to their
reform.” So eventually, in 1959 he fled together with 150 000 of his
fellow Tibetans to India. He described how the exile Tibetans took care
of themselves, but with immense help from others such as from groups
and individuals in Scandinavia. His Holiness specially mentioned the
Fenneberg family and Prince Peter of Denmark, “I will not forget their
kindness”. Together with his people they started to work for
democratization. In 2001 the position of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
became “semi-retired”. 10 years as a semi-retired leader was enough. He
asked rhetorically, “I also have human rights?” So he formally asked
the parliament to be released from the political responsibility and the
19 March 2011 the decision was taken. Thus a four century tradition had
come to an end and was replaced by a fully democratic system.
His Holiness with a smile told the audience that he slept very well and deeply that night.
His
Holiness mentioned that peace will not come through prayers but through
actions. He stated that we must start by changing ourselves, each
individual, each family, in school etc. Also media had a very important
role.
Holiness mentioned that peace will not come through prayers but through
actions. He stated that we must start by changing ourselves, each
individual, each family, in school etc. Also media had a very important
role.
His
Holiness also recommended more interfaith meetings, e.g. the Assisi
meeting. He described how he himself got immense understanding by
meetings with practitioners of other faiths such as Christianity,
Judaism, Islam and Hindu religion. He felt that this was a way to
naturally develop genuine understanding for others and he was happy to
see that there now are many interfaith services.
Holiness also recommended more interfaith meetings, e.g. the Assisi
meeting. He described how he himself got immense understanding by
meetings with practitioners of other faiths such as Christianity,
Judaism, Islam and Hindu religion. He felt that this was a way to
naturally develop genuine understanding for others and he was happy to
see that there now are many interfaith services.
His
Holiness was very much appreciated by the Lund audience and he was
interrupted many times by warm applause. The event was finished off by
a song about youngsters leaving their parents in Tibet for the
dangerous exodus over the Himalayas to India, written, composed and
sung by Mr Thomas Wiehe.
Holiness was very much appreciated by the Lund audience and he was
interrupted many times by warm applause. The event was finished off by
a song about youngsters leaving their parents in Tibet for the
dangerous exodus over the Himalayas to India, written, composed and
sung by Mr Thomas Wiehe.
–Report filed by Erik Edling
