My purpose is the promotion of religious harmony: His Holiness
Thursday, 22 November 2007, 11:00 a.m.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing a press briefing at the New Grand Hotel in Hachioji, Tokyo on 21 November 2007 (Photo: Tenzin Rigden) |
Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that his purpose to visit Japan is to promote religious harmony and he is happy to be able to participate in two of the most important religious functions in Japan.
While addressing a press briefing at the New Grand Hotel in Hachioji, Tokyo yesterday, His Holiness said he is not disappointed over the Japanese government’s indifferent attitude since his visit to the country is not political.
On being asked if he is upset over the Japanese government’s attitude, compared to the honor and respect in which he has been received by the leaders of US and Germany recently, His Holiness said, “Main purpose my visit of is not political, so, nothing to ask the Japanese government.”
“And also I don’t want to create any inconvenience to any person. So, no problem,” His Holiness added.
On his meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, His Holiness said, “German Chancellor is one of my long time friends, who has kept the spirit of human friendship even today and that we have met as friends.”
Some 400 people from different walks of life gathered to listen His Holiness on “Modern World and Spiritual Development.” |
On Tibet’s environment, His Holiness called for special care to preserve Tibet’s ecosystem, adding, once you damage the fragile environment of Tibetan plateau, it will take a long period to recover.
His Holiness said that since major rivers originating in Tibet feed into South Asia, “Special care of the Tibetan ecology is not only the concerns for six million Tibetans, but also the concerns for millions of people.”
But some people from China “have no knowledge of ecology. They are only concerned about industries (with) no idea of ecological consequences,” His Holiness said.
The Chinese government has begun to impose “some restrictions on deforestation in some parts of Tibet. However, unfortunately now in China, sometimes restrictions can be easily ignored through pocket money, corruption,” His Holiness added.
His Holiness said, “Some Chinese businessmen still can carry out deforestation and also they exploit natural resources with poor care for the ecology.”
The comments came as China’s state Xinhua news agency said climate change was causing more weather-related disasters than ever in Tibet.
Also during the press conference His Holiness said “all Tibetans wish to return to Tibet” and reiterated that he was open to resolve the issue of Tibet over a “genuine autonomy”.
“We are seeking genuine autonomy within the constitution of China provided the Chinese government is ready to create a meaningful autonomy,” the exiled leader of Tibet said. “Whole world knows the Dalai Lama side is not seeking independence,” His Holiness added.
Later, His Holiness gave a public talk on “Modern World and Spiritual Development” at Hachioji New Grand Hotel to the crowd of 400 people from different walks of life.
His Holiness told the gathering that the mission of his life is promotion of human values.
His Holiness said that mutual trust is the foundation of human relation and no matter how powerful, how rich an individual may be, he cannot be happy without human companion.
Holiness said that his first teacher of compassion is his mother and that the seed of compassion has been first planted by her.
His Holiness further said that a balance attitude towards the development of both mental and physical is important for overall well being of humanity.
His Holiness will today visit Setagaya Gakuen, Gokokuji temple and Nichidai High School. He will also speak to the children and the staff of the two schools.
— Based on Report send by the office of Tibet, Tokyo, Japan