Amritsar, September 1 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama, today said that though the Tibetan cause was “hopeless”, he was still hopeful about its resolution.
In an exclusive interview with The Tribune, the Tibetan spiritual leader and Nobel Peace Laureate wished that globally there would be more appreciation of the benefits of peaceful co-existence and acceptance of different shades of opinion and lifestyles.
The spiritual leader, who arrived here this morning to participate in the Parkash Utsav, was as always while answering even serious political questions.
His childlike innocence was reflected as soon as he walked through the main door of the hotel where he has been put up. When the Dalai Lama stopped to acknowledge the salute of the hotel durban, he was impressed by his curly moustaches. “Are they real?” he asked as he bent forward to touch Om Prakash’s cheek. The durban was visibly moved by the Dalai Lama’s spontaneous gesture.
Later answering a question on the Sino-Tibet relations, he observed, “When you look from a narrow point of view, the Tibetan cause is almost hopeless. But in a wider perspective of a changing global scenario, it is very hopeful.”
The Dalai Lama remarked that like the world, China, too, was changing rapidly. Perhaps, this was where he saw hope emanating for the hopeless situation of his homeland.
He asserted that sooner or later “peace, freedom and rule of law will prevail though this may take time.”
The Dalai Lama recounted that he had first come to Amritsar in 1956. His second visit was in 1959 and thereafter during the last 44 years, he had visited the holy city on several occasions. “But I had kept away during the tumultuous periods. I then used to bypass the city and go straight to Dharamsala.”
On the spiritual front, the Dalai Lama said, “Guru Granth Sahib enshrines the message of universal brotherhood and good of all mankind.” He said that every human being wants to be successful but for this, peace of mind was important. “Peace cannot be bought with money, power, machines or technology advancements. It can only be achieved by inculcating human values of love compassion, service and giving. All religions have special role to propagate higher values and these are enshrined in plenty in Guru Granth Sahib.
“I am not a Sikh but I respect all traditions and values of all religions that universally teach compassion, non-violence, love and service.” He appealed for introspection on how far people adhere to the teachings in each religion. “The aim of mankind should not only be of advancement in every field but of spiritual growth and mental peace,” he added.
