Washington DC, USA, 9 July 2011 - On July 9 His
Holiness first went to the Kalachakra teaching venue to continue his
preparation rituals. Thereafter, he went to the West Lawn of the
Capitol to give a public talk on peace.
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Monks from Namgyal Monastery recite
prayers before His Holiness the Dalai Lama's arrival at the West Lawn
of the US Capitol in Washington DC on July 9, 2011. Photo/Tenzin
Choejor/OHHDL
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Prior to His Holiness’ arrival, monks of Namgyal
Monastery recited prayers of blessings. Thereafter, Bhuchung Tsering
welcomed the people on behalf of the Capital Area Tibetan Association
and also thanked the concerned offices of the United States Congress for
enabling this event to take place. Artists of the Tibetan Institute of
Performing Arts (TIPA), who had come from India, performed a special
dance next.
Thereafter, actress and TV personality Whoopi
Goldberg went on the stage to make introductory remarks. She exclaimed
her happiness to be at a place that was celebratory, adding that it is
nice to come out and celebrate the idea of peace.
Ms. Goldberg then introduced singer Skylar Grey who
performed the solo version of her song, "Coming Home." Next the video
message by Archbishop Desmond Tutu for His Holiness’ 76th birthday was
played on the screen.
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama in
received on the stage
at the West Lawn of the US Capitol by Gyalwa Karmapa, Speaker of the
Tibetan Parliament Mr. Penpa Tsering, and Dr. Lobsang Sangay Kalon
Tripa-elect of the Central Tibetan Administration on July 9,
2011.Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL |
As Ms.
Goldberg introduced His Holiness and he was received on the stage by The
Gyalwa Karmapa, Mr. Penpa Tsering, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament,
and Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the Kalon Tripa-elect of the Central Tibetan
Administration.
In his talk His Holiness dwelt on the importance of creating inner
peace saying he felt very happy to share these ideas with the public. He
said that irrespective of whether one was a believer or nonbeliever,
everybody wants a happy and a successful life. He added that these goals
depend on inner peace. His Holiness said that if there were too much
suspicion, fear, distrust, anger, etc., at the mental level, life would
not be a successful and a happy one. But he said there was the
opportunity and ability to create inner peace, through secular way, not
necessarily based on religious belief.
He talked about his two commitments of promotion of human values and
the promotion of religious harmony. He said at the level of a human
being we were all the same, mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Everybody had a desire to have a happy life and a successful life, he
said adding that from our birth everybody had the right to have a happy
life, he said.
The problem is that we sometimes neglect our inner values, he said.
Talking about his commitment to promote religious harmony, His
Holiness said that according to his “little experience” all religious
traditions have the potential to bring about inner peace. He added that
close cooperation among religions is essential.
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama, with
his interpreter Dr. Thupten Jinpa, speaking at the West Lawn of the US
Capitol on July 9, 2011. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
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His Holiness said in life there would always
be problems. He said problems were mainly of two kinds: at the sensorial
or physical and at the mental level. Despite difficulties we have the
ability to create peace of mind, he said. He referred to his own
experience saying that at the age of 16 he had lost his individual
freedom (a reference to his having to assume political responsibilities
of Tibet at that young age) and at the age of 24 he had lost his country
(after China’s takeover of Tibet in 1959). In all these times, His
Holiness did not lose his inner mental calmness. He talked about
scientists who contend that too much anger; constant fear, etc. were
eating the immune system. He also referred to another scientist who
told a conference in New York that those individuals who constantly
think of “I’ or “we” had a greater risk of heart attack. He also said
that scientists say that those individuals who have a compassionate mind
and think of others enjoy better health.
His Holiness said that we had the ability to create peace of mind
and to do that self-confidence and inner strength were needed. He said
that people needs to realize that individual happiness was dependent on
the happiness of others.
He said that thinking of compassion or forgiveness as being only for
those who are religious was a mistake. Saying that being religious was
an individual choice he added that one could be happy without being
religious. He said that it was also a mistake to assume that being
compassionate was only of benefit to others. He said the primary
beneficiary of being compassionate is oneself.
Underscoring the importance of strong inner values, His Holiness
drew attention to inner beauty being superior to external beauty. Here
he added that even marital relationship tend to be happier and lasting
when they are based on appreciation of inner beauty than mere external
beauty.
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Some of the thousands who came to
listen to His Holiness the Dalai Lama speak at the West Lawn of the US
Capitol on July 9, 2011. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
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In the practice of compassion, it was
important to think of reality and look at things objectively, His
Holiness said. Referring to the eighth century Buddhist master
Shantideva’s advice that if there is a solution to a problem, there is
no need to worry, but if there is no solution then there is no use
worrying, His Holiness said this is very realistic.
In the course of his talk, His Holiness pointed to the Capitol
building in the front, and talked about the Tibetan people’s admiration
of the United States since his childhood. He pointed out the positive
development of promotion of liberty, equality and rule of law as well as
human values like democracy, liberty and freedom that exist in the
United States.
Following his talk, Ms. Goldberg came back on the stage to moderate
the question and answer session. She posed three questions selected from
that submitted online. The first one dealt with a query by a 14 year
old on how he should approach the issue of promoting peace. His
Holiness talked about the responsibility of the younger generation in
bringing about a more peaceful world. He said his generation belonged to
the 20th century while the younger generation, to which the 14 year old
belongs, belongs to the 21st century. He said they should pay equal
attention to their brain development as well as to developing warm
heartedness.
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama
answering questions from the audience posed by Whoopi Goldberg (right)
during his talk at West Lawn of the US Capitol on July 9, 2011.
Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
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Here His Holiness referred to the historical
development in the United States. He said Abraham Lincoln abolished
slavery while Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. achieved civil rights. Today,
His Holiness said, the United States had a black President. He said
these are achievements.
The second question dealt with advice on the proper learning
environment. His Holiness said that it was important to promote secular
ethics and nonviolence. He said that people need to realize that the
power of truth and the power of compassion are much more effective than
the power of gun.
The third question asked whether he hoped to return to Tibet after 52 years in exile.
His Holiness responded positively saying that China was changing. He
said the voice of freedom, democracy, rule of law are increasing in
China drawing attention to the fact that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
himself has called for political reforms.
"So things will certainly change," he added.
As Ms. Goldberg was ending the session, a person got up from among
the audience wanting to ask a question, which His Holiness took. The
individual wanted to know what should be done if those in authority were
not paying heed. His Holiness said that people could continue to use
avenues available to them to voice their opinions. He said in
particular people should think more carefully in times of election. He
said despite drawbacks a democratic system was the best system and
talked about his own relinquishing of authority “voluntarily and
happily” in this regard.
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| Cellist Michael Fitzpatrick
performing after His Holiness the Dalai Lama's talk at the West Lawn of
the US Capitol on July 9, 2011. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL |
Following his talk, cellist Michael Fitzpatrick played a number, “Invocation for World Peace.”
His Holiness then returned to the Verizon Center where he began
preliminary teachings in the afternoon. After an extensive explanation
of the foundation of Buddhism His Holiness started his commentary on the
Stages of Meditation by Acharya Kamalashila.
On July 10, His Holiness will address a conference on Democratic
China and the Future of Tibet and continue with his preliminary
teachings thereafter.
