Dalai Lama Says "We are One Family"

One - We are One Family

Tokyo, Japan - This morning, under bright sunshine and a high blue sky scattered with thin clouds, His Holiness the Dalai Lama left Yokohama. He drove directly to the Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall in Tokyo, a ninety year old theatre surrounded by trees. Half the 2800 strong audience sat in the sun, the other half in the shade.

The event was presented as an opportunity for young Japanese to get to know His Holiness better and to hear what he has to say. Two other special guests were introduced. Actor, film director and event producer Kenji Kohashi told the audience how moved he had been by a visit to Tibet. It compelled him to visit Dharamsala and meet His Holiness. He declared that he feels he must have been a Tibetan in a previous life.

Ai Tominaga started her career as a model at the age of 17 in New York and worked there for the next ten years. She returned to Tokyo and participates in activities that contribute to social welfare and convey the traditional culture of Japan. She has visited Mongolia. She told the audience how struck she had been by His Holiness’s warmth.

“Brothers and sisters,” His Holiness began, “it’s a great honour for me to have the opportunity to share my views and experiences with you. Wherever I go I emphasize that all 7 billion human beings are physically, mentally and emotionally the same. Everybody wants to live a happy life free from problems. Even insects, birds and animals want to be happy.

“What distinguishes us human beings is our intelligence. However, there are occasions when we use it improperly, as, for example, when we use it to design weapons. Animals like lions and tigers that live by attacking and eating other animals have sharp teeth and claws, but human beings’ nature and teeth are more like those of a deer. We use our intelligence to fulfil our desires, to which, compared to those of other animals, there seems to be no limit.

“Right here and now we are sitting together in peace and pleasure, but at this very moment, in other parts of the world people are killing each other.

“As I said, devising ever more lethal arms is a poor use of human intelligence and the worst are nuclear weapons. You Japanese have actually been victims of nuclear attack and know what the consequent suffering is like. I’ve been to both Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On my first visit to Hiroshima I met a woman who had been through it and survived and I saw the watch in the museum that had stopped at the instant of the explosion and was half melted by the heat. So, instead of using our intelligence to create joy, the result has sometimes been fear.

“Here in the 21st century we should make an effort not to repeat the errors of the last century with its endless series of wars. Historians suggest that 200 million people died of violence during this period. It’s time to say, ‘Enough’. Let’s make the 21st a century of peace and compassion on the basis of the oneness of all 7 billion human beings alive today.

“Over-emphasizing difference of nationality, religion or race culminates in feelings of ‘us’ and ‘them’—division. We must remind ourselves that at a deeper level all human beings are the same. We all want to live a happy life and to be happy is our right. Throughout the universe are sentient beings seeking peace and happiness. What distinguishes the human beings on our planet is that we can communicate with each other—we can convey a sense of the oneness of humanity. If we develop peace of mind within ourselves, I believe we can make the 21st century an era of peace. We must heed the ways of achieving inner peace.

“There are no natural boundaries between human beings on this earth, we are one family. At a time of increasing natural disasters, climate change and global warming affect us all. We have to learn to live together, to work together and to share what we have together. The way we make problems for ourselves is senseless. We will achieve genuine peace in the world if we pursue demilitarization, but we need a sense of inner disarmament, a reduction of hostility and anger, to start with.

“A mother gave birth to each one of us and lavished us with care and affection, but once we go to school our education system fails to nurture this sense of loving-kindness. It’s aimed instead at fulfilling material goals. We need to re-introduce to education such inner values as warm-heartedness. If we could be more warm-hearted we’d be happier as individuals, contributing to happier families and wider communities too.

“Human beings are social animals. What brings us together is love and affection—anger drives us apart. Just as we employ physical hygiene to protect our health, we need emotional hygiene, the means to tackle our destructive emotions, if we are to achieve peace of mind.

“I belong to the 20th century, an era that is past. But this is what I want to share with you young people—if you start to collect the causes now, you’ll live to see a happier, more peaceful world. Don’t be content with the present circumstances, take a more far-sighted view.”

His Holiness added that when the heart is closed it leads to fear, stress and anger. Nurturing the idea of the oneness of humanity has the effect of opening the heart. When you think of all other human beings as your brothers and sisters it’s easy to communicate with them all. It makes it easier to smile, to be warm and friendly. He said this is what he tries to do. For him, whether they are beggars or leaders, all human beings are the same. If he tells himself he’s a Buddhist, a Tibetan, the Dalai Lama, it just increases his sense of isolation.

He observed that Japan has historically been a Buddhist country, yet all religions convey a message of love, compassion and self-discipline. Their philosophical differences arose to suit people of different dispositions, at different times and in different places and conditions. The fundamental message of love remains the same. Buddhism, especially the Nalanda Tradition, with its emphasis on reasoned investigation, takes a realistic stance that accords with the approach of science. His Holiness recommended that to become a 21st century Buddhist, simply having faith and reciting the sutras is not enough, far more important is understanding and implementing what the Buddha taught.

Ai Tominaga told His Holiness that in her experience young people today have a desire for fashion, but it’s in the context of a concern for freedom, human rights and protecting the environment. She thanked him for giving encouraging advice to the next generation.

Kenji Kohashi told him that when he plans musical and other events he wants young people to develop greater self-awareness. “We have to take the initiative to connect with each other, otherwise we remain apart. For me, a near death experience while mountain climbing and meditation have been a source of inspiration.”

A young man who works for a NGO caring for orphans asked His Holiness to comment on leadership and optimism.

“According to my observation,” His Holiness replied, “NGOs are sometimes more effective than governments agencies, so I appreciate their contribution. Since our existing culture tends to be materialistic, we look to external sources for fulfilment. But that can change. Look at how popular attitudes to war have changed. In the early 20th century if a nation declared war, people joined up proudly without question. Compare that to resistance in America to the Vietnam War or to the millions of people around the world who marched to protest against going to war with Iraq.

“Certainly I’m optimistic, because giving in to pessimism leads to defeat. I’m committed to trying to revive interest in what ancient Indian knowledge has to tell us about the workings of our minds and emotions—the goal is to achieve peace of mind.”

As words of thanks were pronounced, the organizers of the event from Sherab Kyetsel Ling Institute presented bouquets of flowers to His Holiness and the other guests. A member of the audience ran to the front of the stage and offered His Holiness a knitted hat resembling a sunflower. With a look of amusement he put it on.

Tomorrow, he will visit Sherab Kyetsel Ling Institute where he will teach the ‘Eight Verses for Training the Mind’.

link & photos: https://www.dalailama.com/news/2018/one-we-are-one-family

Dalai Lama Interview -- "I Am a Refugee"

By Steven MacKenzie "The Big Issue"

The Dalai Lama sits down with The Big Issue to talk about the Syrian crisis, reinventing communism and the science of smiles

Fleeing war and bloodshed, the desperation of thousands of refugees seeking protection in Europe haunts us daily. As one nation after another pulls down shutters on its borders, what the world needs is a unifying voice. Could the Dalai Lama be that voice?

Friend to A-list celebrities and world leaders, the 80-year-old has been playing to packed audiences at the O2 in London this month, and received a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday when he joined Patti Smith on stage at Glastonbury in June. It’s easy to forget this rock ‘n’ roll Dalai Lama is also a refugee who has spent most of his life in exile.

Born Lhamo Dhondup in Tibet in 1935, aged two he was identified as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama and lived under the tutelage of monks from the age of six. At 15 he was declared ruler of Tibet but under violent oppression by Chinese troops during the Tibetan Uprising he fled to India in 1959. He has remained in exile ever since.

As part of a global tour, he is in the UK to discuss compassionate responses to humanitarian crises. He’s a guest of the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Rowan Williams, with whom he co-organised this symposium. It’s in Lord Williams’ grand but modernist residence that The Big Issue meets His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama (below). We are welcomed like old friends.

He first shakes hands with our photographer and then, because her assistant has his arms full carrying equipment, he playfully tugs his beard instead. He keeps hold of my hand and guides me to the far side of the room. “Come. Sit.”

The Dalai Lama is warm, jovial and speaks with clear, passionate conviction, often punctuating answers with hearty laughter and even the occasional slap of my thigh, as he discusses how to make the world a better place, improve the lives of others and – of course – his favourite magazine.

[TBI]: I could say the same about you! You are probably the world’s most famous refugee. After being displaced for so long, do you find something other than a geographical location to belong to? There is a Tibetan saying that is quite wise: wherever you are happy is your home, whoever is kind to you are your parents. Of course, I have some special relations with India, and I like Europe. At least it is clean! Look around and see brothers and sisters, then you feel close [to them]. The emphasis should not be, “I am Tibetan” or “I am Buddhist”. If so, you yourself make some kind of distance.

Do you feel a connection to those fleeing Syria and other places looking for a better life? Naturally, naturally. When I meet new refugees, I always mention that I am senior refugee! It is a man-made problem, with various reasons. Previously, mainly political reasons – different nations had a negative attitude towards each other and a large number of people become refugees. Nowadays there is a religious basis for these refugees coming. Killing because of different religious faiths… Unthinkable. All religious traditions talk [about] compassion, love, forgiveness, tolerance, in the meantime these religious concepts are making division and people are killing each other… Terrible.

All religions preach peace but they are so often used to justify war. Is there a dark side to religions that some people are attracted to or is it a dark side that exists in all of us? [There is] not a dark side on the religious side. The concept of one truth, one religion is centuries old. Here I always make the distinction – in an individual’s case the concept of one truth, one religion is very useful. In terms of community it is unrealistic. You should have the concept of several truths, several religions. Today I think the Muslim population is around one billion, and Christian population over one billion. Then Hindus about 600 million, Buddhist maybe 800 or 900 million. Either one cannot eliminate the other one.

That does not stop some people trying. You have to live together. It is much better to have mutual respect, mutual understanding and religious harmony. It is possible. We have to work. I myself am totally committed to religious harmony.

You have said that Europe cannot be expected to accept all refugees and that the problems have to be solved in the countries the people are fleeing. How is that possible without armed intervention? At the moment it looks impossible. One hundred per cent change is impossible. Change is gradual. We have to work with an optimistic attitude. At this moment two groups consider each other the enemy, no sense of reconciliation. But try. Attempt talk. Meet. Nine times failure, nine times re-effort.

Recently you tweeted that “It’s unrealistic to think that the future of humanity can be achieved through prayer or good wishes alone; what we need is to take action”. Social media makes it easy to express good wishes, solidarity and to sign petitions – but does that give a false sense of having done good? Yes, actual change will take place through action, not from wishes, not through prayer. If we had the opportunity of seeing God, then God may say, “Trouble? You started, you have to solve! I did not create these problems, I created compassionate human beings!” One time in Hiroshima, Nobel Peace laureates came together for a meeting. Other speakers stated, “Pray to God to bring peace”. Then my turn! I am usually quite frank. I said, “Peace will not come through prayer, peace must come through our action”. When I expressed that, many Japanese who before were very solemn applauded!

Pope Francis has started his own Twitter account, do you think he was copying you? I don’t know.

He is seen as a reformist. Do you think your influence played a part in the direction of the Catholic Church? That I don’t know. He has been making changes to the Vatican bureaucracy, that is very good. He also speaks quite forcefully about the environmental issue, that is wonderful. I admired when he dismissed a German bishop who in the church would talk of contentment but in his own private life had very expensive furniture and these things. If the same thing happened with a mischievous lama then the leader should speak and take some action! That behaviour is very harmful to Buddhist teaching, and preserving Buddhist teaching is more important than preserving friendships with mischievous people!

Do you know more about what is happening in Tibet now than you have done through the decades because of technology allowing people to share their lives? I consider myself a free spokesman for Tibetan people; in order to be a spokesman you ought to know the ground situation, people’s real feelings and desires. Before 1979, occasionally some refugee would come, otherwise it was quite difficult. Since the Open Door Policy in 1979, Tibetans from outside can go there – although with restrictions – and Tibetans from outside can meet their relatives, although also with a lot of restrictions.

The Chinese economy is not as strong or stable as it once was, do you think there could be a crisis coming – both economically and politically? This I don’t know. Some people say the present economic crisis is actually to do with the political system. Some Chinese peasants and workers came to see me. Their faces showed that they have difficulties. I paid special attention and asked their condition. It was really very sad. The only consideration of local officials is money. They use their position to make money, not take care of the people in their own area – although it is a socialist country. The Communist Party should be a party of the people. The Chinese judiciary system should raise itself up to an international standard. That is very important.

China recently cancelled concerts by the band Bon Jovi because they had previously shown support for you. Does that decision backfire when it makes the world aware of restrictions on freedom of expression? It is narrow-minded, short-sighted. There is a lack of a wider perspective. Another drawback is censorship: 1.3 billion Chinese people have every right to know the reality. Once they know the reality, they also have the ability to judge what’s right, what’s wrong. Censorship, distorted information, some information being hidden is totally wrong. In any case, with modern technology you cannot control [information] 100 per cent. The younger generation has more access with the outside world and their way of thinking is much different. Then it makes a disgrace of the government and the leader. It is foolish. The elder generation’s mentality is very much connected to a wartime mentality – secrecy, suppression, suspicion. It has become part of their way of thinking. The president, Xi Jinping, seems to realise this is outdated thinking so there is certainly something changing.

Will there be a void left after the end of your time as spiritual leader and your successor taking over? Are you worried about the consequences of that void? No. No worry. As early as 1969 I expressed that whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not, it is up to the people. I have no concern. The real method for the preservation of Buddha Dharma is study and practice. For example, there is no Buddha reincarnation but [he has been] teaching now over 2,000 years. The younger generation can carry our traditions whether there is Dalai Lama or not. It doesn’t matter.

If you had to pick one fundamental social change you would like to see in the world within your lifetime, what would it be? My life [may be] another 15 years or 30 years then no more. A big change within the next 30 years I think is difficult. The modern education system is very much orientated about external values, not taking care of our inner values. Traditionally, our inner values totally relied on religious faith [but] now out of seven billion people, over one billion are non-believers. And among the believers also you see some deceivers – the German bishop I mentioned! As we are getting older, how much I have to say or how much I have to hide, we always calculate that! Through that way, suspicion and distrust comes, and distrust is the worst enemy of compassion, isn’t it?

If you say so! Basic human nature is compassionate. Every child is fresh. If a mother shows a negative face to a child, they will be afraid. Smiles they like! They don’t care [about] your faith, nation, family background. Grown-ups, yes. Now we are putting in their mind that money is more important, power is more important, religious difference and faith is more important. The strength of that basic nature is reduced.

So we should smile more? Study about emotion and the mind should be considered an academic subject, not a religious matter, from kindergarten up to university level. I think the generation of 21st century may see a different world if we make an attempt now.

original link and photos http://www.bigissue.com/features/interviews/5747/exclusive-dalai-lama-interview-i-am-a-refugee