10 Questions to His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Time Magazine interviewed His Holiness in New York City in May of 2010 for its "10 Questions to His Holiness the Dalai Lama".

Question: Do you ever feel angry or outraged? —Kantesh Guttal, PUNE, INDIA

His Holiness: Oh, yes, of course. I'm a human being. Generally speaking, if a human being never shows anger, then I think something's wrong. He's not right in the brain. [Laughs.]

Question: How do you stay so optimistic and faithful when there is so much hate in the world? —Joana Cotar, FRANKFURT

His Holiness: I always look at any event from a wider angle. There's always some problem, some killing, some murder or terrorist act or scandal everywhere, every day. But if you think the whole world is like that, you're wrong. Out of 6 billion humans, the troublemakers are just a handful.

Question: How has the role set out for you changed since you first came to be the Dalai Lama? —Andy Thomas, CARMARTHEN, WALES

His Holiness: I became the Dalai Lama not on a volunteer basis. Whether I was willing or not, I [had to study] Buddhist philosophy like an ordinary monk student in these big monastic institutions. Eventually I realized I have a responsibility. Sometimes it is difficult, but where there is some challenge, that is also truly an opportunity to serve more.

Question: Do you see any possibility of reconciliation with the Chinese government in your lifetime? —Joseph K.H. Cheng, MELBOURNE

His Holiness: Yes, there is a possibility. But I think past experience shows it is not easy. Many of these hard-liners, their outlook is very narrow and shortsighted. They are not looking at it in a holistic way. However, within the People's Republic of China, there is wider contact with the outside world. There are more and more voices of discontentment among the people, particularly among the intellectuals. Things will change — that's bound to happen.

Question: How can we teach our children not to be angry? —Robyn Rice, GRAND JUNCTION, COLO.

His Holiness: Children always look to their parents. Parents should be more calm. You can teach children that you face a lot of problems but you must react to those problems with a calm mind and reason. I have always had this view about the modern education system: we pay attention to brain development, but the development of warmheartedness we take for granted.

Question: Have you ever thought about being a normal person instead of being the Dalai Lama? —Grego Franco, MANILA

His Holiness: Yes, at a young age. Sometimes I felt, "Oh, this is a burden. I wish I was an unknown Tibetan. Then I'd have more freedom." But then later I realized that my position was something useful to others. Nowadays I feel happy that I'm Dalai Lama. At the same time, I never feel that I'm some special person. Same — we are all the same.

Question: Do you miss Tibet? —Pamela Delgado Córdoba, AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO

His Holiness: Yes. Tibetan culture is not only ancient but relevant to today's world. After seeing the problems of violence, we realize that Tibetan culture is one of compassion and nonviolence. There is also the climate. In India during monsoon season, it is too wet. Then, I very much miss [ Tibet].

Question: What do you say to people who use religion as a pretext to violence or killing? —Arnie Domingo, QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES

His Holiness: There are innocent, faithful people that are manipulated by some other people whose interest is different. Their interest is not religion but power or sometimes money. They manipulate religious faith. In such cases, we must make a distinction: these [bad things] are not caused by religion.

Question: Have you ever tried on a pair of trousers? —Ju Huang, STAMFORD, CONN.

His Holiness: When it's very, very cold. And particularly in 1959, when I escaped, I wore trousers, like laypeople dressed. So I have experience.

Question: Do you believe your time here on earth has been a success? —Les Lucas, KELOWNA, B.C.

His Holiness: Hmmm. That's relative. It's so difficult to say. All human life is some part failure and some part achievement.

original link: https://www.dalailama.com/messages/transcripts-and-interviews/10-questions-time-magazine

10 Questions for the Dalai Lama

Time Magazine interviewed His Holiness in New York City in May of 2010 for its "10 Questions to His Holiness the Dalai Lama".

Question: Do you ever feel angry or outraged? —Kantesh Guttal, PUNE, INDIA

His Holiness: Oh, yes, of course. I'm a human being. Generally speaking, if a human being never shows anger, then I think something's wrong. He's not right in the brain. [Laughs.]

Question: How do you stay so optimistic and faithful when there is so much hate in the world? —Joana Cotar, FRANKFURT

His Holiness: I always look at any event from a wider angle. There's always some problem, some killing, some murder or terrorist act or scandal everywhere, every day. But if you think the whole world is like that, you're wrong. Out of 6 billion humans, the troublemakers are just a handful.

Question: How has the role set out for you changed since you first came to be the Dalai Lama? —Andy Thomas, CARMARTHEN, WALES

His Holiness: I became the Dalai Lama not on a volunteer basis. Whether I was willing or not, I [had to study] Buddhist philosophy like an ordinary monk student in these big monastic institutions. Eventually I realized I have a responsibility. Sometimes it is difficult, but where there is some challenge, that is also truly an opportunity to serve more.

Question: Do you see any possibility of reconciliation with the Chinese government in your lifetime? —Joseph K.H. Cheng, MELBOURNE

His Holiness: Yes, there is a possibility. But I think past experience shows it is not easy. Many of these hard-liners, their outlook is very narrow and shortsighted. They are not looking at it in a holistic way. However, within the People's Republic of China, there is wider contact with the outside world. There are more and more voices of discontentment among the people, particularly among the intellectuals. Things will change — that's bound to happen.

Question: How can we teach our children not to be angry? —Robyn Rice, GRAND JUNCTION, COLO.

His Holiness: Children always look to their parents. Parents should be more calm. You can teach children that you face a lot of problems but you must react to those problems with a calm mind and reason. I have always had this view about the modern education system: we pay attention to brain development, but the development of warmheartedness we take for granted.

Question: Have you ever thought about being a normal person instead of being the Dalai Lama? —Grego Franco, MANILA

His Holiness: Yes, at a young age. Sometimes I felt, "Oh, this is a burden. I wish I was an unknown Tibetan. Then I'd have more freedom." But then later I realized that my position was something useful to others. Nowadays I feel happy that I'm Dalai Lama. At the same time, I never feel that I'm some special person. Same — we are all the same.

Question: Do you miss Tibet? —Pamela Delgado Córdoba, AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO

His Holiness: Yes. Tibetan culture is not only ancient but relevant to today's world. After seeing the problems of violence, we realize that Tibetan culture is one of compassion and nonviolence. There is also the climate. In India during monsoon season, it is too wet. Then, I very much miss [ Tibet].

Question: What do you say to people who use religion as a pretext to violence or killing? —Arnie Domingo, QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES

His Holiness: There are innocent, faithful people that are manipulated by some other people whose interest is different. Their interest is not religion but power or sometimes money. They manipulate religious faith. In such cases, we must make a distinction: these [bad things] are not caused by religion.

Question: Have you ever tried on a pair of trousers? —Ju Huang, STAMFORD, CONN.

His Holiness: When it's very, very cold. And particularly in 1959, when I escaped, I wore trousers, like laypeople dressed. So I have experience.

Question: Do you believe your time here on earth has been a success? —Les Lucas, KELOWNA, B.C.

His Holiness: Hmmm. That's relative. It's so difficult to say. All human life is some part failure and some part achievement.

original link: https://www.dalailama.com/messages/transcripts-and-interviews/10-questions-time-magazine

Dalai Lama Meets with Students from Emory University Summer Abroad Program

Meeting with Students from the Emory University Summer Abroad Program

Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with a group of students taking part in the Emory Tibetan Mind/Body Sciences Summer Abroad Program at his residence today. He greeted them warmly.

“On a physical level, India has been my second home for the last 58 years,” he told them. “But on a mental level, since the age of 6 when I began to study, I have been immersed in ancient Indian knowledge. We are stateless refugees, but India is the source and home of what we know. And the freedom India has afforded us the opportunity to meet and get to know many different people, spiritual leaders and scientists among them.

“Buddhism, especially the Nalanda tradition, has taught us to apply reason, to experiment, to analyse and use our intelligence. The practice we follow aims to free all sentient beings from suffering and bring them happiness. However, there’s little we can do directly for beings elsewhere in the universe, and little we can do to help the insects, animals and birds of this world. Those we can help are our fellow human beings with whom we can communicate. Human beings have such intelligence, what a pity that so often it is used to make trouble.

“You young people belong to the generation of the 21st century. With vision and determination I believe you can contribute to making this a better world.”

His Holiness noted the special connection that has grown between Emory University and Tibetans. One result is that there are now 1000 monks in the great monasteries re-established in South India who are proficient in science and English.

His Holiness remarked that Tibetans have kept alive a command of logic and an understanding of the workings of the mind and emotions for more than 1000 years. This knowledge remains relevant and helpful for living a happy life here and now. He added that although its source was in India, modern Indians have by and large neglected it in favour of modern development. Consequently, he said feels it is important to work to revive this ancient knowledge in India today.

Professor Lobsang Tenzin Negi introduced the group—25 students from Emory University and two from colleges nearby and four faculty members. He mentioned that this particular Summer Abroad Program started in 2009. It is a six-week immersion experience that offers students the opportunity to interact with leading members of the Tibetan exile community—including Emory Distinguished Presidential Professor His Holiness the Dalai Lama—while participating in the growing dialogue between modern science and the Tibetan Buddhist contemplative tradition.

While in Dharamsala, students study meditation, Buddhist philosophy, Tibetan medicine, and the culture of Buddhist Tibet at the Norbulingka Institute, the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Men-Tsee Khang, the Tibetan Medical Institute and Gyuto Tantric Monastery.

At Drepung Loselling Monastery in South India, which has been involved since 2014, students can engage with the monastic community and, in conjunction with the Emory-Tibet Science Initiative, interact with Tibetan monastics studying neuroscience, biology, and physics.

Before taking questions from the students His Holiness said he wanted to make it clear that although it is recorded in Buddhist texts, he regards the understanding of the workings of the mind and emotions that he has been talking about as belonging to ancient Indian knowledge more generally. He noted that at Nalanda University extensive exchange of views took place in debate and participants learned from each other. He observed that all Indian traditions that pursue the practices of shamatha and vipashyana, concentration and insight, have a deep and broad acquaintance with the workings of the mind.

The student who asked the first question wanted to know how meet the various challenges and obstacles to establishing an era of peace. In his reply, His Holiness spoke of his admiration for the spirit of the European Union, despite the narrow British vote to leave, according to which past enemies have come together to work for their mutual benefit. He said the current reality is that nations are no longer isolated and self-sufficient as they once were. The world has become much more interdependent, therefore there is a need to be more aware of the oneness of humanity.

“One factor that could contribute to making the 21st century an era of peace,” he remarked, “would be a wider appreciation of the failure to resolve problems by force. The use of force may control people physically, but it won’t change their hearts and minds. You can only do that on the basis of trust and friendship.”  

Another student wanted to know if, of the many decisions His Holiness has had to take, he looks back on any of them with regret or doubt. His Holiness replied that it was difficult to say, but mentioned that when he is in a dilemma he makes a point of discovering what other people think before making his own decision.

Asked how to pursue success in a capitalist society to benefit of others, His Holiness responded that there is nothing wrong with creating wealth or a dynamic market economy. The important point is to share the wealth you make or put it to beneficial use. He recalled a wealthy Bombay family asking for his blessing. He told them that if they were to spend their money on providing educational facilities for the children of the Bombay slums that would be a much more effective source of blessings.

To a question about how to learn from suffering, His Holiness suggested that cultivating a more compassionate attitude has the effect of opening the mind. Having a calm and compassionate mind, he said, enables us to use our natural intelligence more effectively. Without a more holistic perspective it’s difficult to appreciate the reality of a given situation and without that any action we take is likely to be unrealistic and so unsuccessful.

The final question related to making to the question of non-violence.

“Before Buddhism came to Tibet,” His Holiness explained, “we Tibetans were nomadic. If we encountered an obstacle, we crushed it. Once the learned Nalanda master Shantarakshita established Buddhism in the country our way of life changed and we became a more compassionate, non-violent society.”

He reported that after coming into exile following the Chinese occupation, Pandit Nehru warned him that the USA would not go to war with China to defend Tibet. Appeals to the UN were in vain. In 1974, Tibetans decided that they would not seek outright independence, which led to the eventual formulation of the mutually beneficial Middle Way Approach. Fundamental to this is the principle of non-violence, which has attracted widespread moral support even among informed Chinese.

His Holiness thanked the students for coming, reminded them that as members of the human family we are all brothers and sisters and appealed to them to share what they learned during this six week program with their friends and family.

original link with photos: https://www.dalailama.com/news/2017/meeting-with-students-from-the-emory-university-summer-abroad-program

Dalai Lama Brings Message of Peace, Nonviolence

By Bill Glauber of the Journal Sentinel

Madison, Wisconsin — Dispensing wisdom and radiating warmth, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, told a rapt audience Wednesday that "this 21st century should be a century of dialogue."

As he reflected on the wars of his lifetime, from World War II to present conflicts, the Dalai Lama said "unlike (the) 20th century, this century must be (a) century of peace, of nonviolence."

The "World We Make" event, in the Capitol Theater at the Overture Center for the Arts, was the public highlight of the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader's 10th visit to Madison.

Wearing a crimson robe, black shoes and glasses, the Dalai Lama, 80, eagerly placed on his head a cap that read, "Change Your Mind, Change the World."

"It's practical," he said, peering at the audience with the stage lights beating down.

Richard Davidson, founder of the Center for Healthy Minds and a professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said the Dalai Lama's main message to the audience was that "we need to take responsibility now for cultivating positive qualities like kindness and compassion."

"We can all have a positive dramatic impact on the world if we take seriously that we can train our mind to nurture these qualities," Davidson said.

Answering questions from a panel that included Dan Harris, an ABC News correspondent, the Dalai Lama displayed an infectious laugh and a wry sense of humor that delighted the audience. At one point, he provided a long answer and then with a smile on his face asked the questioner, "Do you have further argument?"

"I would never argue with you. I hear you're a very skilled debater with many years of experience," said Soma Stout of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

Again and again the Dalai Lama reflected on how positive change can be made, starting with a single individual who can influence others — "10 people, 100 people, 100,000 people, then millions," he said. "That's the way to change."

"The happiness of humanity is our common goal, our common interest," he said. "Of course we are selfish. Selfish is the key factor for survival."

He was impassioned as he talked about the need for education "so that we can look at things from various angles. From one dimension you can't see fully."

He spoke of how there is an emphasis on love in all religious traditions. And he emphasized the important role parents play in developing and nurturing children.

The Dalai Lama also told a story of a Tibetan who had been imprisoned "18 years in a Chinese gulag," before being allowed to travel to India in the early 1980s. The man mentioned that he faced danger in those years, the Dalai Lama said.

Asked what kind of danger he faced, the man said "the danger of losing compassion toward the perpetrator."

"Practice of compassion is so important," the Dalai Lama said.

Harris, who wrote a self-help book called "How I Tamed the Voice In My Head," sought practical advice from the Dalai Lama.

"I have a 1-year-old," Harris said. "What is the right age to teach him mindfulness and will it stop him from pulling the cats' tails and eating their kibble and drooling on me and pulling the pages from my wife's magazines?"

"As a father, I think you know best," the Dalai Lama said to laughter and applause.

Original link and photo: http://www.jsonline.com/news/religion/dalai-lama-brings-message-of-peace-nonviolence-to-madison-b99684619z1-371584901.html