Strasbourg, France, 15 September 2016 - As His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived at the European Parliament this morning, the flags of member states arrayed outside flew freely in the breeze, lit by the early morning sun. His visit began with a meeting with President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz. This was followed by discussions with Elmar Brok, Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, prior to meeting with the Committee. Welcomed as an advocate of freedom, human rights and protecting the environment, His Holiness was given the floor.
“Respected brothers and sisters, as human beings there are no differences between us, we belong to one human family. It’s a great honour for me to have this opportunity. I am an admirer of the spirit of the European Union. In relation to our own problems in Tibet, we are not seeking separation from the People’s Republic of China; we are not splittists although that’s what Chinese hard-liners continue to accuse us of being.
“Since 2011 I have completely retired from political responsibility, which is handled now by an elected leader. I’m 81 and some friends say I look younger and ask my secret. I think it’s to do with peace of mind and tackling the destructive emotions. Basic human nature is compassionate and all human beings have the potential to create inner peace. And I believe world peace can only be built on the basis of inner peace.
“I have three commitments I’d like to tell you about. The first is to promote a sense of the oneness of humanity, that we are all equally human beings. Generally we pay too much attention to secondary differences between us, such our religious faith, nationality, whether we are rich or poor etc. and neglect what fundamentally we have in common. As I mentioned before, I admire the spirit of the European Union and would like to see such a union in Africa and Asia.”
His Holiness explained that as a Buddhist monk, a follower of the Nalanda masters, thinkers and philosophers of ancient India, his second commitment is to fostering inter-religious harmony. He remarked that all religious traditions make love their main message, supported by tolerance, contentment and self-discipline. He observed that in India all the world’s major traditions are represented and live together in harmony. He asked if India can do it, why not other countries too?
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Members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs listening to His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France on September 15, 2016. Photo/Olivier Adam
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His Holiness clarified that a concern for the preservation of Tibetan culture, a culture of peace, non-violence and compassion, the language that conveys it and the protection of the Tibetan environment constitute his third commitment.
Among questions and comments from the floor was the observation that despite its burgeoning economic strength, China is far from being a major power because it reveals no respect for human rights. His Holiness countered this to some extent by pointing out that despite still being ruled by the same system and the same communist party there has been significant change over the last 40 years, not least the emergence of 400 million Chinese Buddhists.
Another questioner asked about the persecution of the Rohingya Muslim community in Burma. His Holiness responded that when he first heard about it he appealed to Burmese Buddhists to imagine the face of the Buddha with the understanding that if he were there he would protect the Rohingyas. He remarked that since the tragedy of September 11th he has made a point of defending the Muslim community. He repeated his belief that it is wrong to refer to Muslim terrorists or Buddhist terrorists because once they engage in violent terrorism these people have ceased to be proper Muslims or Buddhists and it’s wrong to blame a whole community for the mischief of a few.
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama supporting a youth campaign to counter terrorism #NoHateNoFear with Mr. Pedro Agramunt, President of the Parliamentary Assembly at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France on September 15, 2016. Photo/Olivier Adam
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Leaving the Committee on Foreign Affairs to warm applause and the press and clamour of people wanting to shake His Holiness’s hand or take selfies with him, he drove the short distance to the Council of Europe. He was greeted at the start of this official visit by Head of Protocol, Rafael Benitez who escorted him and his delegation to the Palais de l’Europe. He was welcomed by Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland, and signed the Golden Book of the Council of Europe. He held a short meeting with the Secretary General before being welcomed by Pedro Agramunt, President of the Parliamentary Assembly and signing its Golden Book. Following their short meeting, Mr Agramunt solicited His Holiness’s support for a youth campaign to counter terrorism - #no hate no fear.
On the way to a meeting with members of the Commission on Human Rights, His Holiness was surprised to come across a bust of his old friend, the late Václav Havel, and stopped to pay his respects. Mr Jagland introduced him at the meeting, but left to fulfil responsibilities in the Parliament.
Addressing the meeting, His Holiness began by acknowledging the members as brothers and sisters and reiterating his commitment to fostering a sense of the oneness of all human beings. He mentioned that many of the problems we face arise from our emphasising secondary differences such as nationality, ideology or religion. He is also committed to fostering religious harmony in the face of conflict stoked by short-sightedness, narrow-mindedness and political manipulation. He stated his third commitment as a Tibetan to protection of the environment of Tibet and preservation of Tibetan language and culture.
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing the Commission on Human Rights at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France on September 15, 2016. Photo/Olivier Adam
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“It’s my duty to thank our friends in Europe for their support on behalf of the 6 million Tibetans in Tibet.”
In his answers to questions His Holiness stated that he thinks the idea of freedom and rights is based on an assumption that human nature is compassionate because such rights and freedoms don’t allow you do kill or harm others. He repeated what he’s said early this year in Geneva about human rights violations having causes such as an anger or hate filled motivation. He said:
“The current education system with its material goals and an absence of inner values is inadequate. And unless we can change it the 21st century is destined to repeat the mistakes of the 20th century with its violence and misery.”
Anne Brasseur, Ambassador for the nohatenofear movement offered him the movement’s badge, telling him they had three targets—poverty, corruption and hatred.
His Holiness’s final words to the meeting were that “every human being can make a contribution to creating a better world. The key is to start to take action now.”
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Mayor Roland Ries welcoming His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Strasbourg City Hall in Strasbourg, France on September 15, 2016. Photo/Jeremy Russell/OHHDL
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At Strasbourg City Hall Tibetans offered His Holiness a traditional welcome. He was received by Mayor Roland Ries and his wife who escorted him inside. During a short reception he signed the Golden Book and was presented the Marcel Rudloff Tolerance Prize. He joined a number of religious leaders for a lunch hosted by Mayor Ries.
During a public talk at Strasbourg Convention billed as ‘The Dalai Lama Chooses Strasbourg to Meet Young People’ and attended by 900 students and 1100 members of the public, His Holiness was cheered as he took the stage. Speaking English translated into French by Ven Matthieu Ricard, he said:
“Young brothers and sisters I’m happy to be with you. Meeting with younger people like you makes me feel younger. I belong to the 20th century, a time which has gone, which is now only a memory. The past can’t be changed, but the future can still be shaped and it will be done by you, who belong to the generation of the 21st century. This is why you are the basis for hope.
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking at the Strasbourg Convention in Strasbourg, France on September 15, 2016. Photo/Olivier Adam
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“The 20th century was strewn with violence, none of which made the world a better place. So this century should instead be an era of peace, bearing in mind that world peace depends on people cultivating inner peace in their hearts. If, however, we are full of fear and anger, we’ll find no peace. It will take determination and will-power and a strong sense of optimism without which nothing will succeed.”
At the end of a warm and affectionate interaction, the students cheered His Holiness once again as they saw him off. As he left City Hall a light rain began to fall. Tomorrow he will attend a science conference at the University of Strasbourg.
