Dalai Lama Gives Key Teachings in Milan

Milan, Italy, 21 October 2106 - His Holiness the Dalai Lama began his public day by giving an interview to an old friend, Pio d'Emilia for SkyTG 24. d'Emilia opened his questions with an enquiry about whether His Holiness’s health is still good.

“Yes,” he told him, “but I’m getting older and sometimes late in the day I feel tired. However, I regularly get 8-9 hours’ sleep a night, so I wake fresh every morning.”

About the repeated Chinese accusation that he is a splittist, His Holiness remarked,

“Historically, Chinese documents show, there were three empires, Chinese, Mongolian and Tibetan. After 1951 as we tried to come to an arrangement, we signed the 17 Point Agreement, a precedent followed by no other Chinese province. In the 60s we raised the issue of Tibet at the UN to little effect. In the 70s we realized that ultimately we would have to enter talks with the Chinese government and in 1974 formally declared we were not seeking outright independence, but the implementation of rights for minorities guaranteed in the Chinese constitution.”

Regarding his travelling to Tibet or China, His Holiness stated that since 1954 he has expressed a wish to go to Wu Taishan on pilgrimage, which he would still like to do.

d'Emilia asked if the world should be worried about China and His Holiness told him that China is an ancient country, a Buddhist country, but it is also presently a totalitarian state where many people are isolated from reality. Some of its leaders are realistic, whereas others continue to take a hard line. About Xi Jinping His Holiness remarked that it is hard to say. His family is Buddhist. His father, who His Holiness knew, was friends with the late Panchen Rinpoche. His Holiness admires his efforts to tackle corruption.

Prompted to comment on not being invited to the recent reprise of the inter-religious meeting in Assisi, His Holiness made clear that he feels meeting the general public is more important and can be more effective than meeting leaders.

d'Emilia pressed him about his successor and after establishing once again that it will be up to the Tibetan people to decide whether they want to recognise another Dalai Lama, he mentioned several options for this to be done. One is for him to nominate someone already alive to be his reincarnation, another is for his successor to be elected, or for a senior lama to take on the responsibility on the basis of seniority, much in the way the Ganden Tripa is chosen. Conceding that he has been urging women to take more leading roles in promoting love and compassion, he remarked that if a likely young girl were to declare she was the Dalai Lama, “Then, why not?”

Noting that the Japanese Emperor has suggested he might abdicate and one Pope has already resigned, His Holiness was asked if he considered doing so too. He replied, “I’ve already retired from political responsibility. I suppose I could resign from being a monk, but I don’t think I could ever resign from being Dalai Lama.”

After yesterday’s misty early morning, today, skies were high and blue as His Holiness drove to the Rho Fiera Milano hall where he was to teach. Thamthog Rinpoche introduced him to the 8800 strong crowd. Translation into Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Mongolian and Vietnamese is being provided.

The session began with Sri Lankan Theravadin monks reciting the Mangala Sutta in Pali, followed by a Vietnamese group, most of whom were women, who chanted the ‘Heart Sutra’ to a steady gentle rhythm in Vietnamese.

“Today, at the request of the Tibetan Institute of Buddhist Studies led by Thamthog Rinpoche, I’ve been asked to teach Je Tsongkhapa’s ‘Three Principal Aspects of the Path’ and ‘In Praise of Dependent Arising’,” His Holiness explained. “I’ll begin with the ‘Praise’ as an introduction to Buddhist teachings and follow it with the ‘Three Principals’ as a guide to how to practice.

“We human beings are physically, mentally and emotionally the same. We have two eyes, one nose and a mouth, wherever we are from. We all want to lead a happy life. This is the right of all human beings. While some material and technological development, of weapons for example, prompts fear, by and large it is intended to bring comfort and benefit. However, even in highly developed countries many are full of stress, worry and frustration. Material development, by itself, does not yield complete satisfaction.

“Since 1 billion out of 7 billion human beings have no interest in religion, and even the faithful are frequently not that serious, we need to find ways of developing inner values without touching on this or that religious tradition. Nevertheless, all religions have the potential to create better human beings and I’m very happy and honoured to see many representatives of other traditions among us here today.

“The collection of teachings in the Pali tradition, including the Four Noble Truths and the 37 Factors of Enlightenment, along with the practice of ethics, concentration and insight, comprise the very foundation of the Buddha’s teachings. On top of this are teachings, not given openly in public, of the six or ten perfections, the awakening mind of bodhichitta, and the clarification of what true cessation means on the basis of selflessness.

“This is why if it’s possible I like to begin teachings like these with a recitation of the Mangala Sutta followed by the Perfection of Wisdom in twenty-five lines—the ‘Heart Sutra’.”

His Holiness explained that since an earlier praise of Indian masters, the ‘Six Ornaments and Two Supremes’ did not include many of the Indian masters whose works have played a seminal role in the Tibetan tradition, he composed a ‘Praise to the 17 Masters of Nalanda’.

The Four Noble Truths, with their 16 characteristics and the 37 Factors of Enlightenment, the foundation of the Buddha’s teaching, belong to the first turning of the wheel of Dharma. The Perfection of Wisdom teachings expounded at Rajgir comprise the second turning. The ‘Unravelling of Thought Sutra’ and the ‘Tathagata Garbha Sutra’, which explains Buddha nature, the clear light nature of the mind, the basis for the practice of Highest Yoga Tantra, comprise the third turning.

His Holiness remarked that we can also consider the path to enlightenment in terms of progress through the five paths that can be associated with the mantra of the ‘Heart Sutra’. He said the first 'gate' indicates the path of accumulation, the second 'gate' the path of preparation, 'paragate' indicates the path of seeing, 'parasamgate' the path of meditation and 'bodhi svaha' the attainment of enlightenment.

After lunch, addressing more than 200 Tibetans who live in Italy, Switzerland and Spain, His Holiness told them:

“I’m happy we can have this brief meeting. We’ve been in exile 57 years now. In the 50s upheaval took place in Amdo and Kham, with protests against the Chinese who were imposing change on Tibet. Ours had been a feudal system, but it wasn’t all bad. Servants are reported to have informed their former overlords when they were in danger so they were able to escape, such was that standard of honesty and justice among us. When class struggle was imposed on Tibetans, it didn’t work out well. Anyway, by 1959 I had to escape.

“The generation who lived through those times have mostly gone, but the Tibetan spirit remains firm and strong. The hardliners who used force against us thought that once the Dalai Lama had gone, everything would go their way. They were wrong. I’ve heard it said that when Chairman Mao was told of the use of force in Tibet, he asked what had happened to the Dalai Lama. When he heard I’d escaped, he remarked, “In that case, we’ve lost.” Hardliners thought that if they crushed protest in Central Tibet they’d win—again they were wrong.

“Since the Chinese themselves are passionate about preserving and upholding their own culture, it’s surprising that they don’t understand that Tibetans are equally passionate about protecting theirs. It’s said that there are now 400 million Chinese Buddhists, many of them educated people, who have learned that Chinese monks don’t explain very much, whereas Tibetan monks are well trained to explain. All our Tibetan Buddhist traditions have roots in the Nalanda tradition, which means they study logic and reason in conjunction with philosophy. No other Buddhist tradition can boast of this.”

Back in the teaching hall His Holiness answered a series of questions from the audience before resuming his teachings. Reading through the verses of ‘In Praise of Dependent Arising’, he said verse 15 summarizes what had gone before.

Therefore, since no phenomena exist

Other than those originating in dependence,

No phenomena exist, you taught, 

Other than those devoid of intrinsic existence. 

The extremes of nihilism and eternalism are denied.

Verse 42 mentions that, for the author, Je Tsongkhapa, understanding the meaning of the teaching of dependent arising is consolation for not being able to hear it taught by the Buddha himself.

Seeing the excellent quality of this teaching

Pulls at my heart

As a hook does to a fish.

Sad is it not to have heard it from you.

His Holiness remarked that as a child his mind was quick and bright and he was able to memorize this text in one morning. 

He explained that the ‘Three Principal Aspects of the Path’ was written in response to a request from Ngawang Drakpa, not only one of Tsongkhapa’s closest disciples, but the one he predicted who will be his first when he manifests Buddhahood.

Despite running well past the announced time, His Holiness steadily read through the text explaining the determination to be free, the awakening mind of bodhichitta, as well as the relations between dependent arising and emptiness. Having completed both texts, His Holiness left the stage and emerged from the building into the brilliant sunshine of late afternoon.

original link & photos http://dalailama.com/news/post/1480-giving-key-teachings-in-milan

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Calls on Journalists to Promote Human Values and Religious Harmony

Pomaia, Tuscany, Italy, 12 June 2014 - His Holiness the Dalai Lama started the day with an hour-long interview with Mr. Beppe Severgnini, a journalist, essayist and columnist from the largest selling Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. Afterwards Dr. Dan Goleman - author, psychologist, and science journalist - interviewed His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his new book. Dr. Goleman was with The New York Times for twelve years specializing in psychology and brain sciences.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama meeting with two Franciscan monks from the Sacred Convent of Assisi who called on him during his visit to Istituto Lama Tzong Khapa (ILTK) in Pomaia, Tuscany, Italy on June 12, 2014. Photo/Tenzin Taklha/OHHDL
In the afternoon, the Rome based Indian Ambassador to Italy Mr. Basant Kumar Gupta called on His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This was followed by a meeting with a delegation from the Sacred Convent of Assisi.

As there was great media interest on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to Italy, a meeting with members of the press was organized in the afternoon for over 80 journalists at Pomaia.

In his opening address to the press, His Holiness remarked on the surprisingly hot summer weather in Italy, 'Quite hot,' he said. He remarked how he had looked forward to visiting Italy, hoping for cool and pleasant weather, and to escape the hot and humid weather of Mumbai, India, where he gave teachings prior to coming to Italy. But he said the weather in Italy was unfortunately more or less the same as Mumbai.

His Holiness said he was honored and happy to be in Italy. Even though generations have changed since his first visit to Lama Tsong Khapa Institute, the original vision is being carried on. “I feel very good,” he said. He expressed his appreciation to the media for their interest and their presence.

His Holiness spoke about his three commitments in life. He said he always considers himself as one human being out of seven billion.  Everyone has the same desire for love, affection and happiness, which is the basis for human love. Therefore he always advocates the promotion of basic human values. His main message is human love – the ultimate source of human happiness. Human affection is basically a biological factor and the basis of our survival is human love. Irrespective of whether we believe in religion or not, whichever culture we belong to, all of us need love.

Speaking on his second commitment, His Holiness stressed the need for religious harmony. He mentioned that he always maintains contact with the practitioners of other faiths and traditions, who carry the same practice of love, compassion, tolerance and forgiveness.

Emphasizing the example of India, where all major religious traditions continue to co-exist peacefully for generations, His Holiness said that he has lived in India for over 50 years and that India is a living example of many different religions co-existing peacefully for over 2000 years and even longer. So, he said, religious harmony is possible.

As a Tibetan, His Holiness said he has always advocated preservation of Tibetan culture and its rich Buddhist knowledge and tradition. He emphasized his present role as just a spiritual leader, having handed over all his political responsibilities to the directly elected political leader in 2011. He said he had done this voluntarily, happily and proudly.

His Holiness emphasized the importance of the role journalists can play in promoting human values and religious harmony. He said that media people should have long noses like that of an elephant to smell in front and behind politicians and other people. In a democratic society people have the right to know the truth and journalists should inform the public of the reality. However, he said they must report truthfully, objectively and in an unbiased manner.

In response to a question on the football World Cup and his favorite team, His Holiness said he wasn’t interested in football. He said that his main interest was overcoming negative emotions and generating positive emotions in his daily life. On a lighter note, he said this was his kind of football, to which everyone applauded.

On a question about Chinese embracing Buddhism on a large scale, His Holiness mentioned that China has the largest population of Buddhists in the world: now over 400 million. He remarked about the genuine interest shown by a growing number of Chinese from mainland China, who come to receive his teachings in India. He mentioned that he had always advocated for genuine autonomy and living with the Chinese. “We are not seeking independence,” he said.

Reflecting on the Kalachakra Initiation in Bodh Gaya, India in 2012 His Holiness spoke about the different reactions from the Chinese authorities towards the Tibetans and the Chinese on their return home after attending the Initiation. He said while the Chinese did not face any problems on their return, the Tibetans were subjected to all kinds of questioning and also house detention. He said next month he was giving the Kalachakra Initiation in Ladakh, India and already the Chinese authorities had imposed strict restrictions, especially on those Tibetans from the Tibet Autonomous Region.

On a question about religious conversion, His Holiness said that it was better and safer to keep one’s own traditional religious values. Changing ones religion is not easy and sometimes it creates more problems. Of course there are some who have natural interest for other religions and it is their freedom to change.

He advised those interested in Buddhism to try to study Buddhist philosophy and to investigate for oneself and practice, rather than follow a teacher blindly. However he emphasized that if you change, you must respect all faiths.

Replying to a query on the best method to deal with the increasing number of refugees in Italy His Holiness acknowledged the problem of the influx of refugees, especially from North Africa and Syria. He said refugees face some problems in their homeland, no refugee comes to another country seeking a holiday. Sympathizing with the difficult situation faced by the refugees, His Holiness said we should provide as much as we can to help. But when we can’t, we should say so.

He said we must pay more attention to the problems in their country of origin such as the economic situation, the ever increasing gap between the rich and poor on a global level and urged nations to help bridge the gap. He called on the richer nations to help poorer countries by providing educational, economic and technical support. He stated that the refugee problem was man-made and that everyone should take moral responsibility for this. He then touched on the concept of 'we' vs. 'they', which he said was outdated and the root of all problems.

He said that his main hope for peace in the world was with the younger generation. He called on the youth to seek ways to create a more peaceful and more compassionate world.

He spoke about the research on inner values that has been carried out by American scientists over the past decade or so. He said, the scientists were now ready with a three week program and will soon start experiments with volunteer students. The participants’ blood pressure and stress levels, etc. will be measured prior to the start of the three week program, looking for changes at the end of the program.

He then touched on secular ethics education. He drew on the example of the great nation of India, whose constitution is based on secularism - respect for all religious traditions including respect for non-believers. In this regard His Holiness spoke about the research carried out to try to develop an academic curriculum in schools, which he preferred to call "hygiene of emotion".

He expressed hope that a draft curriculum for secular ethics would be available in the next two to three years, that schools could experiment with. If found useful, more and more schools could include the education of secular ethics in their academic curriculum.

Answering a question on the Chinese leadership, His Holiness said he liked the hard working culture of the Chinese people, but jokingly said that common sense in the brains of the hard liners in the Chinese leadership was unfortunately lacking.

On a question regarding the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation, His Holiness said that he had back in 1969 made it explicitly clear that the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama is ultimately for the Tibetan people to decide. He remarked that the Chinese government was more concerned about the reincarnation of the 15th Dalai Lama than the present Dalai Lama.

Tomorrow, on the fourth day of His Holiness visit to Italy, he will bless the 5-meter tall four-armed Chenrezig statue and give a short teaching on the importance of developing love and compassion. In the afternoon, His Holiness will leave for Livorno city.

Original link and photos http://dalailama.com/news/post/1139-his-holiness-the-dalai-lama-calls-on-journalists-to-promote-human-values-and-religious-harmony