MADISON, May 15: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke to members of the Wisconsin State Legislature and other state officials in a brief speech in the Assembly Chamber in Madison Tuesday afternoon.
In his address, the Dalai Lama stressed on the oneness of humanity and said that the key to happiness is recognising the humanity of those we disagree with.
“Six billion human beings are basically the same, mentally, emotionally and physically. The way we’re born, the way we die — same ” said the Dalai Lama.
“More important, everyone want happy successful life…Ultimately, the source of a successful life is not money, not power, but inner value. If you have inner value, that means more sense of others well-being.”
The 77-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader, who had earlier formally address Wisconsin lawmakers in 1998, said he was honored to be speaking to leaders in a democratic nation and reminded of their potential to make the world a healthier and happier place.
He said he admired the United States and called it “the greatest democratic country and leading nation of the free world.”
“Despite some drawbacks and mistakes … America is truly a democratic country and ruled by law and freedom of expression,” he said. “These are great, wonderful things.”
He also spoke of the need to develop compassion and trust.
“Trust brings friendship,” the Dalai Lama said. “Genuine friendship and not friendship of money, not friendship of power.”
The Dalai Lama is currently on a four-day visit to Madison, marking his ninth visit to the state since 1979.
His Holiness also met Governor Scott Walker Tuesday morning before his address to Wisconsin lawmakers.
The Dalai Lama is scheduled to lead a panel discussion on Change your Mind Change the World, co-hosted by the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at the Waisman Center and the Global Health Institute, both at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Wednesday.
The daylong discussions will bring together some of the world’s most respected thought leaders to discuss how neuroscience, environments, economics, and healthcare can combine to make the world a healthier, happier place. (Live streaming available here)
