Washington DC, USA, 7 July, 2011 - On 7 July His
Holiness the Dalai Lama continued with his preparatory prayers for the
Kalachakra initiations and was also welcomed in the United States
Congress by Speaker John Boehner and congressional leaders from both the
Republican and the Democratic parties. Highlighting the traditional
bipartisanship that the issue of Tibet enjoys in the Congress, Speaker
Boehner said today, “…our commitment to the Tibetan people has always
brought the two parties together, and I expect it will continue to do
so, no matter how long it takes.”
Today’s preparatory session at the Kalachakra venue
included the ritual earth purification dance and the initial process of
marking the board on which the Mandala will be constructed.
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama is
welcomed by House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) on his arrival at Capitol
Hill in Washington DC, USA, on July 7, 2011. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
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His Holiness visited the Capitol in the
afternoon for a meeting with Speaker John Boehner, who had also invited a
bipartisan group of six leaders, which included former Speaker and now
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi; Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,
Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Congressman Howard L.
Berman, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee;
Congressman Chris Smith, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights; Congresswoman
Nita Lowey, Ranking Member of the House Committee of Appropriations’
Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs; and
Congressman Frank Wolf, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee’s
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies.
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama meeting
with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, on July
7, 2011. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
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His Holiness and the members of Congress
exchanged views on the situation in Tibet and China. Members of Congress
expressed their admiration for His Holiness’ commitment to non-violence
and for being an inspiration. His Holiness was accompanied by Speaker
of the Tibetan Parliament Penpa Tsering and Kalon Tripa-elect Lobsang
Sangay, Special Envoy Lodi Gyari, Representative Lobsang Nyandak Zayul
and Secretary Tenzin Taklha. His Holiness explained the recent
devolution of his authority and introduced Dr. Lobsang Sangay as his
“political boss” saying he was happy to hand over authority to him. His
Holiness said he would devote his time to his commitments to promote
human values and religious harmony. Mr. Penpa Tsering explained the
situation that resulted in the Parliament legislating amendments in the
Tibetan charter that reflected this new reality.
Following their meeting, Speaker Boehner, Congresswoman Pelosi and His Holiness addressed the press.
Speaker Boehner began by saying, “It is truly an honor and privilege
to welcome the Dalai Lama to the United States Capitol. The bond
between the Dalai Lama and the American people has been strong for so
long that it’s no surprise his visits are highly anticipated. And I
think rightly so. Wherever he goes, the Dalai Lama makes his tireless
dedication to the values that we all cherish. He makes them apparent,
and he makes it a bit contagious. His example humbles nations such as
ours that work to spread freedom, tolerance, and respect for human
dignity. And it sustains those who struggle to secure these universal
values for themselves and for their families. Here in the Congress, our
commitment to the Tibetan people has always brought the two parties
together, and I expect it will continue to do so, no matter how long it
takes.
“So we appreciate the Dalai Lama taking the time to speak with us
about how we can help spread our shared values, not just in Tibet and
China, but in the Middle East as well. “We extend to you, Your
Holiness, on behalf of people whom we serve, our solidarity, our support
and our hope that you will come back soon.”
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Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
speaks to members of the press after the meeting with His Holiness the
Dalai Lama on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, on July 7, 2011.
Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
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Representative Nancy Pelosi spoke next and
began by thanking the Speaker for organizing the meeting. She echoed
the Speaker’s view that His Holiness and the issue of Tibet engendered a
spirit of bipartisanship in the United States Congress. Pointing to her
colleagues from both the parties that were standing beside them,
Congresswoman Pelosi said she was proud of the fact that they have come
together under the dome of the Capitol a number of times to honor His
Holiness. She also recalled President George W. Bush visiting the
Capitol to present the Congressional Gold Medal to His Holiness in 2007
(which she said honored the commitment of His Holiness to peace, to
nonviolence, to human rights and religious understanding.) and President
Barack Obama receiving His Holiness in the White House.
She then talked about the historical relationship between His
Holiness and the United States saying, “When he was a very little boy
and first became the Dalai Lama, President Franklin Roosevelt sent him a
watch. Recognizing his love, even as a little boy for science and
technology, it was a watch that had the phases of the moon.” “ So it is
with great admiration and historic honor to join the Speaker and our
colleagues, in a bipartisan way to welcome His Holiness,” Congresswoman
Pelosi added.
Speaker Boehner next presented His Holiness to the media
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama
speaking to members of the press after his meeting with House leaders on
Capitol Hill in Washington DC, on July 7, 2011. Photo/Tenzin
Choejor/OHHDL
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His Holiness first began by saying “I have nothing to say,” which aroused much laughter among the people gathered there.
His Holiness then explained the nature of his current visit to
Washington, D.C. This time the main purpose in coming to Washington,
D.C. is to give one important Buddhist tantric teaching, he said.
“However, since I am here it is my duty to see my old friend, and also
this House always give us inspiration. So it is my duty to come here and
to say thank you,” he added.
His Holiness said he also came to explain why he had handed over all
his political authority to the elected Tibetan leadership. He said this
14th Dalai Lama had voluntarily, happily, and proudly relinquished the
historical authority of the Dalai Lamas. He added that the main reason
for his decision was that it was his view that rule by kings and queens
or religious leaders was out of date. He had also been maintaining that
religious and political institutions must be separate. Therefore, he
felt it was somewhat hypocritical for him to be combining the two roles
while telling others that they should be separate. His Holiness said
that he also thought it was the right time to devolve his authority as
the Tibetan community outside of Tibet was quite matured in democratic
practice. He said he had full confidence that they can shoulder full
responsibility so that his time could be devoted to promotion of human
value and promotion of religious harmony.
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama with
members of the press on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, USA, on July 7,
2011. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
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His Holiness said that this was not a sudden
decision but something that he had been thinking of for a long time. He
said since his childhood he had been critical of the administrative
system in Tibet.
Here he talked about the contrast in experience that he had while
visiting Beijing in 1954 and India in 1956. In 1954 he went to Beijing
as a member of the Chinese National People’s Congress and witnessed how
silent and disciplined the members were. In India, he said the
Parliament was full of noise and seeming to have no discipline. He
witnessed the Indian parliamentarians criticizing the government and the
then prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. He was thus impressed by the
freedom of speech and freedom of thought in India.
His Holiness said that after coming to India as a refugee in 1959,
he began democratization process. By 2001 we already achieved elected
political leadership, he said, adding that since then his position was
semi-retirement. He said now 10 years had passed and that now the semi
retirement must be complete retirement. His Holiness added that our
small organization in exile was fully democratic. “So we really feel
very proud,” he said adding that he felt it was “ my duty to report to
my long time supporter and long time friend.”
His Holiness then returned to his hotel.
