Thousands Attend His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Public Talk in Tokyo
Dharamsala, 3 November 2003: On 31 October, 2003, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was warmly received at Narita Airport by the representatives of the Welcome Committee of the current Visit to Japan and Mr. Chope Paljor Tsering, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Japan. Around 100 well-wishers were at the Airport.
In the evening, His Holiness attended a Welcome Reception hosted jointly by the Welcome Committee and the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Tokyo. There were over 500 guests, including MPs, diplomats, scholars, scientist, Buddhist priests, celebrities and supporters.
Mr. Seishu Makino, the founder & the Chairman of the Japan Parliamentarian Group for Tibet, in his welcome speech told the gathering that the support for the Tibetan Cause in Japan has been growing despite many hurdles being experienced. He pledged his continuous support and requested the gathering to support His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Middle- Way Approach, which he felt was the only way to achieve happiness for the Tibetans in and outside Tibet.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his address thanked all for their warm welcome particularly the Japanese Parliamentarian Group for Tibet who initiated the visit and the Welcome Committee. His Holiness outlined the purpose of His visit as being the promotion of human values and inter-religious harmony. His Holiness said that he was looking forward to participating in the Mind and Science Dialogue and the pilgrimage to Ise shrine, the most important Shinto Shrine and Nara’ s Buddhist Temples. His address was followed by a toast to honour his visit by Mr. Sadao Watanabe, the famous saxophone player. Mrs. Midori Kiuchi, formerly a well-known actress and a long time friend of Tibet moderated the event.On 1 November, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was interviewed by TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting Corporation), one of the seven national channels and Artist House, a publishing company.
In the afternoon, His Holiness gave a public talk primarily to youths on the “Power of Compassion”. There was a great interest in this Public Talk. Reports say that that some of the participants came as far as Okinawa in the south and Hokkaido in the north. Over 5,000 people mainly youths attended this public talk. Mr. Peter Barakan, a celebrated news commentator in Japan, moderated the Public Talk. Mrs. Banana Yoshimoto, a famous poet and novelist introduced His Holiness to the public. Ms Rie Miyazawa, a very popular actress in Japan thanked His Holiness on behalf of the audience.
It is believed that this is the first time that so many Japanese youths across the country had the opportunity to listen to His Holiness’ message and the first time, so many well known personalities of Japan came to hear His Holiness’ public talk.
On 2 November, His Holiness the Dalai Lama first received a courtesy call from the Charge d’Affairs of the Indian Embassy. His Holiness then bestowed Buddhist teachings to more than 3500 devotees from all walks of life across the country.
In the afternoon, His Holiness took part in the “Mind and Science Dialogue” with Dr Masatoshi Koshiba, 2002 Nobel Laureate for Physics and Dr Kazuo Murakami, Emeritus Professor of Tsukuba University and a DNA specialist. Mr. Jin Tatsumura, a noted Japanese film director moderated the discussion. As this was a public meeting more than 3,500 who attended the Buddhist teachings in the morning also followed the Mind and Science Dialogue.
The Participants noted that this is the first time that such a dialogue took place between science and religion in Japan and hoped that more such dialogues could happen in the future. This is His Holiness eighth visit to Japan.
A report sent by Office of Tibet, Japan.