San Diego, California, USA, 18 April 2012 - On his first day in San
Diego on April 18th morning, His Holiness participated in a panel
discussion on climate change in which he reiterated his call for
countries to place global interest of environmental concern first before
any other national interests. In the afternoon, His Holiness spoke to a
packed stadium on the connection between peace, justice and inner
development.
His Holiness’ first went to the University of California San Diego
where he was received by its Chancellor, Dr. Marye Anne Fox. Accompanied
by the Chancellor, His Holiness met with the media.
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking with members of the media in San Diego on April 18, 2012. Photo.Tim Mantoani |
In his opening statement, His Holiness outlined his
two commitments of promoting human values and promoting religious
harmony and understanding. Talking about his third commitment
concerning Tibet, His Holiness explained that in 2011 there was a change
by which he devolved his political authority to an elected Tibetan
leadership.
His Holiness said it is his basic belief that the
world belongs to humanity and each country belongs to its people, and
not to religious leaders kings, queens, emperors or political parties.
He said he had said on another occasion that America belongs to the over
300 million American people and not to the Republican or the Democratic
parties.
He said from his days as a teenager, he had voiced
his feeling that the governmental system in Tibet had lot of drawbacks.
He said he had assumed temporal responsibility in 1950 and in 1952
established a Reforms Committee and started some reform. He, however,
added that this was not very successful because China wanted reforms
according to its own agenda.
His Holiness said that after 1959 he came to India a free country
and was able to work on the democratization of the Tibetan society. He
said in 2001 Tibetans began directly electing a leader and he had
maintained that he had become semi-retired then. He said he had then
expressed his desire to have complete retirement and after seeing the
enthusiasm of the Tibetan people during the elections (for the Kalon
Tripa, the Chairman of the Tibetan Cabinet) in 2010 he thought it was
the right time to devolve all his political authority to the elected
leadership. This happened in 2011.
On the issue of promoting inner values, His Holiness pointed to the
theme of his visit to San Diego (that was printed on a banner behind the
stage) and said there was the need for people to cultivate compassion
without borders. He said compassion with borders was at the biological
level and related to one’s concern for one’s family, etc. However, this
type of compassion could be taken as the seed and using human
intelligence and applying scientific findings people could strive for
compassion without borders,
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking with members of the media in San Diego on April 18, 2012. Photo.Tim Mantoani |
He said one could generate this feeling by having the mindset that just
as one wanted happiness and love for oneself others, too, have the same
desire. Through this show of concern for the wellbeing of others one can
eventually expand to concern for even one’s enemy.
On the commitment to promote religious harmony, His Holiness said
this was a level of him being a Buddhist. He said in India, beside the
homegrown religions many other religious traditions co-exist. Therefore,
India is a living example of the ability of different religious
communities living together with mutual respect and for mutual benefit.
His Holiness said he would remain committed to these two commitments
till his death. He explained that the reason why he was expanding on
these points was because the media too had a role in promoting awareness
of these. People need to realize that the real source of happiness was
within them and not depended on power or money. His Holiness said that
while the media ought to report on negative developments, they also
needed to talk about the above issues, particularly since in a democracy
the media had an important role.
When asked for his views on a photo in the LA Times showing American
soldiers with dead Afghans, His Holiness reiterated his basic
opposition to the use of force saying it cannot be a solution. He then
talked about the importance of Ahimsa and non-violence and how
non-violence is a realistic approach towards resolution of issues. He
said force could have unpredictable outcomes.
When asked about the absence of reports concerning Chinese protest
over his visit this time indicated any improvement (in the Tibetan
relationship with the Chinese authorities), His Holiness replied in the
negative and suggested that the media should conduct deeper
investigations on these.
Following this meeting with the press, His Holiness went to the
venue of the panel discussion “The Global Impact of Climate Change:
Balance Through Universal Responsibility, Compassion and Human
Consciousness.”
UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox made a welcome remark in which she
expressed her school’s appreciation of His Holiness’ presence. She said
he was the first Nobel laureate to be recognized for his concern for the
global environment.
His Holiness was introduced by Mr. Pierre Omidyar, founder of eBay,
who gave highlights of his life, including some of the international
awards bestowed upon him.
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama with fellow panelists at
the panel discussion on climate change held at UCSD in San Diego, on
April 18, 2012. Photo/Tim Mantoani |
The panel discussion began thereafter. His Holiness’ co-panelists were
Prof. Richard C. J. Somerville, Distinguished Professor Emeritus,
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, and Prof.
Veerabhadran Ramanathan Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric and
Climate Sciences, and Director, Center for Atmospheric Sciences, Scripps
Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego
Prof. Somerville outlined the challenges of reducing the world’s
emissions. He referred to His Holiness’ observation that nations were
giving priority to their own individual interests than for the global
interest on matters of the environment.
Prof. Ramanathan outlined his views on how much of the world’s
population were unintentionally contributing to the pollution of the
climate through use of wood stoves, etc. He highlighted His Holiness
devoting an entire section to environment in his book, Beyond Religion:
Ethics for a Whole World, and how compassion without borders was a
solution.
In his remarks, His Holiness spoke of his experience at learning
about the importance of the environment. He said growing up in Tibet he
had no idea about environment pollution. He talked about the
cleanliness of the Tibetan environment by giving the example of Tibetan
travellers having no hesitation in drinking water from the streams when
they were thirsty. They had no idea that water can be polluted. After
coming to India, His Holiness heard from people about how water from a
river could not be consumed and that was a bit of surprise to him.
Subsequently, His Holiness said he had contact with scientists and
had a special personal interest in the issue of environment. He said
this is now the question of the survival of the planet and not just of
an individual.
He said so far this blue planet is our only home and we need to take
care of it. He said people have immediate reaction when being
confronted with photos or news concerning violence, bloodshed, war,
starvation, etc. However, the problem of climate change was somewhat
invisible and it would be too late if the situation became such that
people would have to wear masks in urban areas or be confronted with
lung problems, etc. as a result of environmental damage.
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| University of California San Diego, venue for the
panel discussion with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in San Diego on April
18, 2012. Photo/Tim Mantoani |
His Holiness said there was the need to create awareness over the issue
of environment and climate change and that the scientists have a
pertinent role in it. His Holiness suggested a worldwide movement like
that of the Copenhagen summit on environmental awareness. He added that
it was shortsighted of those countries that kept their national interest
above that of the global interest concerning the environment. He talked
about the situation in Mongolia where the use of coal by families was
leading to health dangers. Drawing a connection between economic
development and environmental damage, His Holiness said in countries
like China and India on account of lack of modern facilities people are
resorting to cutting of trees for fuel.
His Holiness said his effort is to draw attention to the fact that
the world is interdependent and that each individual’s future is
dependent on that of others. Therefore, there was the need for
cooperation and the realization of a sense of global responsibility.
His Holiness emphasized on the importance of trust in this saying that
without trust there cannot be friendship and that without friendship,
there will be extreme self-centered attitude. He said people needed to
realize that it was in their own interest to take care of others. He
said there was the need to generate a feeling of oneness of humanity and
have some kind of concern for the wellbeing of the rest of humanity and
the rest of sentient beings.
Here His Holiness said his interpreter Thupten Jinpa la reminded him
that one of his friends, Prof. Bob Livingston, was from UC San Diego.
He said Prof. Livingston was very much concerned about the future of the
world and had launched effort for peace and against nuclear weapons.
Thereafter the panel took questions gathered from the public. To a
question about changing the mindset of the political leaders on
environment, His Holiness said that a drawback of modern education was
that it was oriented toward material concerns and did not deal with
inner peace. Explaining the historical development that led to a
neglect of moral ethics education, His Holiness said there was the need
for a well-balanced education that incorporated both material and
internal values. He said the media also had a role in this. Through
these we can nurture a new generation of future leaders who will have a
better appreciation of issues like climate change.
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama with fellow panelists at
the panel discussion on climate change held at UCSD in San Diego, on
April 18, 2012. Photo/Tim Mantoani |
When asked on the best approach when people refused to accept the very
existence of environmental problems, His Holiness said that it would
depend on the mental attitude one had towards such people. He said when
he was confronted with such a situation he would respect their view but
at the same time be forthright in arguing his case. He gave the example
of Buddhist masters from Nalanda who resorted to frank discussions,
including using harsh words, but at the same time having deep respect
for those holding opposite views. His Holiness said that we need to
realize that there will be difference of views and quoted Prof Bob
Livingston as telling him that the six billion people in this world
would have six billion views.
His Holiness also said that the Buddha had given contradictory
teachings deliberately to complement with the diverse mental
dispositions of his disciples. His Holiness said after having done this,
the best approach is for people to recall the verse of a Buddhist
master who said that if the problem can be resolved there was nothing to
worry about and if the problem cannot be resolved there was no use
worrying about it.
His Holiness stressed on the importance of research and analysis and
the need to look at reality at many levels. He said jokingly that even
if one intended to harm someone, it would be more effective if one has
done research, knows the reality and has understood the weak spot of
one’s target.
He spoke about his respect for science and scientists. He said
scientists were open minded and had skepticism. He said skepticism would
lead to questions, which will lead to research, which in turn will lead
to analysis and the generation of answers.
When asked whether they were optimistic about positive development on the environment front, all the panelists said they were.
Following lunch, His Holiness went to the University of San Diego
to deliver the Joan B. Kroc Distinguished Lecture on Cultivating Peace
and Justice. He went on stage of the Jenny Craig Pavilion as Spanish
Classical guitarist Pablo Sainz Villegas was performing to the public.
The guitarist greeted His Holiness and played a number for His Holiness.
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Pam Omidyar introduces His Holiness the Dalai Lama before his talk at the University of San Diego on April 18, 2012.
Photo/Tim Mantoani |
Thereafter, Dr. Mary E. Lyons, President of University of San Diego,
spoke about the mission of the school and presented its Medal of Peace
saying by working for justice His Holiness is a living witness to the
greatest aspirations of the University.
Pam Omidyar, co-founder of Omidyar Network, then introduced His
Holiness. Giving His Holiness’ bio, she said his life was dedicated to
harmonious living and shared understanding of religious harmony.
His Holiness began his talk by thanking the University for its medal
saying he felt very honored to receive it. He said he was just another
human being and looked upon the medal as some kind of recognition for
his small contribution for serving humanity.
His Holiness said he was encouraged to see that in different
countries there was increasing voice about compassion, peace and
nonviolence. He said it was not just in words but that people were also
making efforts in these fields.
He said the question was to know the real meaning of peace. If
peace, he added, was the mere absence of violence, then there could be
situations where such kind of peace may prevail, but without any
justice. Therefore, he said that genuine peace must come through inner
peace and warm-heartedness. His Holiness talked about the demarcation
of lines between non-violence and violence action and said action could
be physical, verbal and mental. Non-violence is the expression of
warm-heartedness and it was only through genuine concern for the well
being of others that justice will be served, he said. Any action that is
harmful in the long run is unjust, he said.
His Holiness then talked about the two kinds of compassion. He said
the biological compassion is something that is present not just in human
beings but also among mammals, birds, dogs, cats, etc. He said it
occurs in situation where the survival of the youngster is dependent on
the sense of care from parents. His Holiness said he wonders whether
this sort of compassion is present in turtles as the mother just lays
eggs on the shore and do not have any connection with the offspring
thereafter. His Holiness said during an earlier visit to Hawaii he had
suggested conducting research on this attitude of the turtles by
identifying a hatched turtle and pairing it to its mother to see if
there was any indication of filial affection. His Holiness felt there
might not be because turtles are emotionally not equipped to take care
of their offspring.
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking at the University of San Diego on April 18, 2012. Photo/Tim Mantoani |
He said biological compassion is limited and biased. On the other hand
compassion without borders was something that could be cultivated
through the training of the mind. He said scientifically too brain
plasticity shows the possibility of changing the mind. He said there is
a connection between the physical health and mental state. A hopeful
and fresh mental state is of immense benefit for health, he said. On the
contrary, demoralization is bad for health.
His Holiness said he was encouraged that educational institutions
were starting to study mind and its impact on the body. He mentioned
University of Wisconsin in Madison, Emory University and Stanford
University as among those conducting experiments in this field. He
suggested that pilot projects could be start to teach children from the
Kindergarten level about inner peace as this is the real foundation to
build a better 21st century. He said there is connection between a
healthy mind and a healthy body.
His Holiness concluded by saying if people found something useful
from his speech they could think over them On the other hand, he said if
they did not find anything then it does not matter. He joked that in
any case he was leaving San Diego the day after tomorrow but that the
people’s problem would remain with them. He added that he had great
hope from the United States and India. America, he said, is materially
well off and is the greatest democratic country. India, he said, is the
most populous democracy.
During the Question & Answer session, His Holiness responded to
queries about simple ways to cultivate compassion on a daily basis. His
Holiness suggested that people could visualize the person most difficult
to deal with, get angry with this person, and then begin to analyze. He
said one would then get a new realization. For Buddhists, he said,
everything is relative and there is no absolute good or bad. When asked
why one should feel compassion for those who do not have remorse after
committing a crime, His Holiness said that is all the more reason to be
compassionate when we look at it from the perspective of the oneness of
humanity.
Another questioner wanted to know about His Holiness’ most difficult
challenges. He responded by talking about his experience of life under
the Chinese. He said at the age of 16 he had lost his freedom and for
the next nine years of life under “Chinese Communist brothers and
sisters were a little difficult.” He said between 1951 and 1959 life
under the Chinese also made him learn to act hypocritically. But in
April 1959 after arriving in India he was liberated from the practice
of hypocrisy.
He talked about his visit to China in 1954-55 coming back to Tibet
more hopeful. He said he had in fact met the Chinese general on his
return to Tibet from China and when asked about his impression, he had
responded that when he left for China he suspicion and fear but that now
he did not have them.
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama answering questions from
the audience during his talk at the University of San Diego on April
18, 2012. The University's Medal Of Peace presented to His Holiness is
on the table to the right. Photo/Tim Mantoani |
However, things became difficult in Tibet from the end of 1955 to the
beginning of 1956 and that he was filled with lot of anxiety and worry.
He said in particular being a Tibetan, he understood the plight of his
people and wanted to side with their concerns. But at the same time he
had no choice but to try to adjust with the Chinese. Ultimately, there
was no way but to escape from Tibet, he said.
His Holiness said that on March 10, 2008 when he heard of the
demonstrations in Tibet, he got the same feeling of anxiety and
hopelessness that he had on March 10, 1959.
He said under such an experience he visualized the Chinese
hardliners and practice the “taking and giving” form of visualization.
He visualized taking the anger, fear and distrust of the Chinese and
giving them in return patience, forgiveness and compassion. He said
while this did not necessarily solve the problem it did help him
maintain the calmness of his mind.
He then talked about meeting a Tibetan monk who had been in prison
for 18 years since 1959. When he subsequently spoke to this monk upon
his release and coming over to India His Holiness said he had asked him
the most dangerous thing that he had faced while in prison. His
Holiness said he thought the monk would rely something like fearing
about being killed but the monk replied that he had feared losing his
compassion for the Chinese.
When asked what problems should be receiving attention, His Holiness
said there were plenty these days. He identified Syria, Afghanistan,
Pakistan and the Tibetan issue as some. He, however, said there was good
news, too. He talked about the change in the situation in Burma and
said he had learnt today that Aung San Suu Kyi might be able to travel
outside Burma. Also, overall humanity was becoming more civilized.
Upon being asked whether he was optimistic or not, he responded that
it was far better to remain optimistic. If one is optimistic, he said
that one would try to find ways to overcome challenges. On the other
hand being pessimistic meant that one feels there is going to be 100 per
cent failure and thus not make any effort.
On April 19, 2012 morning, His Holiness will give a public talk on
Upholding Universal Ethics and Compassion in Challenging Times at the
San Diego State University. In the afternoon, he will participate in a
panel discussion on Neuroscience and the Emerging Mind: A Conversation
on Human Consciousness and Compassion.
