Sao Paulo, Brazil, 17 September - On the final day of
his ten-day visit to Latin America, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a
public talk on ‘Harmony through Universal Responsibility’ to 6,500
people at West Pavillion of the Parque das Convencoes do Anhembi in Sao
Paulo, Brazil. This event was co-hosted by the office of the Mayor of
Sao Paulo City.
|
| His Holiness the Dalai Lama
speaking during his public talk 'Harmony Through Universal
Responsibility' in Sao Paulo on September 17, 2011. Photo/Palas Athena
Association |
As soon as his motorcade arrived at Convention
Center, His Holiness was received by Mr. Gilberto Kassab, Mayor of Sao
Paulo City, Dom Odilo Scherer, Archbishop of Sao Paulo, Mr. João
Grandino Rodas, Dean of Sao Paulo University, and Chief of Security.
After having a brief private meeting with them, His Holiness was ushered
on to the stage, where Mayor Gilberto Kassab welcomed and introduced
His Holiness to the public.
After the introduction, His Holiness began his public talk on ‘Harmony Through Universal Responsibility’.
His Holiness told the crowd that the concept of war and use of force is
out dated. He said in the past nations remained isolated from each
others and therefore there was defeat for your neighbor and victory for
you. But today, he said, we live in a much interconnected world,
therefore, the destruction of your neighbor is destruction of yourself.
In order to make life in 21st century more peaceful, harmonious and
stable, he said, we must learn to resolve all differences and problems
through dialogue and for that young people, who are very much part of
the 21st century, should pay more attention to inner values or secular
ethics and learn to respect others even if there are serious differences
over belief systems and ideology. After he finished his talk, His
Holiness also attended to many questions from the public.
His Holiness’ talk was also attended by many disabled people on wheel
chairs as well as others who have hearing and speech problems.
|
| His Holiness the Dalai Lama
speaking during his teachings at the Golden Hall of the World Trade
Center in Sao Paulo on September 17, 2011. Photo/Palas Athena
Association |
In the afternoon, His
Holiness gave a teaching primarily focused on cultivating constructive
and positive emotions at the Golden Hall of the World Trade Center. He
suggested to the audience to pay more attention to study rather than
merely caught up in the ritual. He said that knowledge and practice
must go hand-in-hand.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s last event in Sao Paulo was attended by
around 5,000 people. Many could not get a seat as the seating capacity
of the Golden Hall in the World Trade Center where the teaching was held
has only 4,000 sitting capacity and therefore chose to seat on the
floor without chair or cushion.
At the end of event, Prof. Lia Diskin, co-founder of Palas Athena
Association and host of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to Brazil,
thanked His Holiness on behalf of the Brazilian people for his kind
visit and sharing his wisdom. Prof. Lia Diskin requested His Holiness
to return to Brazil next year and while she narrated these words, the
crowd gave a standing ovation and many could be seen crying with
excitement.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama left for Frankfurt as soon as he finished the last event in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
