A pursuit of peace in a violent world
Edited excerpts from an interview with the Dalai Lama, conducted by Globe reporter Michael Paulson on Sunday at the Chamtse Ling Temple at the Tibetan Cultural Center in Bloomington, Ind. The Dalai Lama spoke mostly in English, but at times spoke in Tibetan, which was translated by an aide.
Q. You urged a nonviolent response to Sept. 11. In hindsight, was that the right thing to do?
A. Oh yes. Of course. Generally I always feel that violence is against human nature, and in the present world situation the violent method may solve one problem, but may create another problem. So the side-effects are, I think, very bad. So therefore, I always believe the nonviolent method is the best.
Q. How do you think your position has affected your relationship with the Bush administration?
A. Of course, I do appreciate their motivation, the administration's motivation. They try to reduce the force of terrorism. ... The motivation is good. And of course, terrorism is very serious violence. And usually terrorism suffers ordinary people most. ... But in the long run, I always believe through transformation of heart, that's the ultimate real method to the elimination of terrorism. So in that case, compassion and friendship, dialogue and understanding, that's the only way to transform the emotion of human heart. Force cannot change the human mind, the human heart.
Q. Dialogue and compassion even with terrorists?
A. Yes.
Q. What are you seeking from President Bush?
A. I ask President Bush, as other civic leaders, that they try to achieve a meaningful dialogue with the Chinese government ... I am not seeking independence [for Tibet]. I am seeking genuine autonomy ... which China's constitution provided. So I believe I'm seeking certain rights according to the Chinese constitution.
The situation in Tibet and the situation in mainland China have big differences. In China - the economy of mainland China is changing much [for the] better. ... Still, the economic situation of Tibet is much, much lower. ... Then, in the political field, in China proper, there is more freedom, comparatively, compared to two years ago, or 20 years ago, much more freedom. But in Tibet, much more suppression. So still, unfortunately, the rule of terror is still prevalent.
Q. What do you say to young Tibetans who want a more traditional nationalist struggle, a more aggressive approach to China?
A. Yes, there are some [such] groups, not only on the outside, but inside Tibet. I always tell these people, their slogan, violence is easy, but in practice it's not that easy. More important, in the future, we have to live side by side with Chinese as brothers and sisters. So therefore, in the future, in order to live happily, friendly, with compassion, while we are carrying out this struggle we must avoid violence because it breeds more violence.
Q. Do you think your approach has produced progress?
A. At the government level, not much progress, but at the public level, there is progress. More and more Chinese intellectuals, and more Chinese on the street, including students, are showing their support... their solidarity. And also more and more Chinese are showing genuine interest about Tibetan Buddhism ...
Q. Do you expect to be reincarnated, and, if so, does it have to be in Tibet?
A. Now whether Dalai Lama institution should continue or not is up to the Tibetan people. That I made clear as early as '69. But if I die within, say, the next few months or few years, most probably, I think, the Tibetan people will want to have another reincarnation. In that case, if we remain still outside Tibet ... then, logically, that reincarnation will appear outside Tibet, because the main purpose of the reincarnation is to succeed the previous life's work.
Q. So what would it mean for Tibetan cultural identity if the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama were European or American or somebody who was not ethnically Tibetan?
A. It would really depend on the individual. But in the past, the fourth Dalai Lama was Mongolian, not Tibetan - of course Mongolia and Tibet are very close nations. Now, perhaps, in 21st century, Tibetans and Europeans are also very close. So I don't know, it is possible. Also, I have mentioned, theoretically speaking, even a female Dalai Lama is also possible.
Q. As you know, many people in the US are adopting some of the practices of Buddhism, like meditation, but not the religious beliefs. Is that OK?
A. It's OK. Actually, each major religious tradition has unique things, or special things, so we can learn from each other. So I know, personally, some Christian monks who are very serious practitioners, they adopt some Buddhist methods regarding ... meditation, and also some Christian brothers and sisters are implementing Buddhist techniques to extend compassion and tolerance. Meanwhile, we Tibetans are very very eager to adopt some of Christian monks' and nuns' social activities in the fields of education and also health.
