Press Meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama - 20 March 2008

Here is an example, so rarely seen, of ethics, clarity, and altruism manifest in political conflict. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has the capacity to deal with very difficult long-standing problems and yet can see a way through to a mutually beneficial outcome. Viewing this press conference is a practical teaching which can be taken as an inspiration for cultivating compassion and dialog as the methods for working with our own personal challenges and relationship problems.

Watch the video of His Holiness the Dalai Lama meeting with the media at his residence in Dharamsala.

Toronto Tibetan Global Day of Action Rally
Monday, March 31, 2008. Gather at 10 AM
Masaryk Park (beside the Masaryk Recreation Centre in Parkdale)
http://tibetprotests.pbwiki.com/Toronto

Avaaz Online Petittion to be delivered Monday help us reach 2 million signatures (1.3 million now).
http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet_end_the_violence/22.php

Today, I extend heartfelt greetings to my Chinese brothers and sisters round the world, particularly to those in the People's Republic of China. In the light of the recent developments in Tibet, I would like to share with you my thoughts concerning relations between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples, and to make a personal appeal to you all.

I am deeply saddened by the loss of life in the recent tragic events in Tibet. I am aware that some Chinese have also died. I feel for the victims and their families and pray for them. The recent unrest has clearly demonstrated the gravity of the situation in Tibet and the urgent need to seek a peaceful and mutually beneficial solution through dialogue. Even at this juncture I have expressed my willingness to the Chinese authorities to work together to bring about peace and stability.

Chinese brothers and sisters, I assure you I have no desire to seek Tibet's separation. Nor do I have any wish to drive a wedge between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples. On the contrary my commitment has always been to find a genuine solution to the problem of Tibet that ensures the long-term interests of both Chinese and Tibetans. My primary concern, as I have repeated time and again, is to ensure the survival of the Tibetan people's distinctive culture, language and identity. As a simple monk who strives to live his daily life according to Buddhist precepts, I assure you of the sincerity of my motivation.

Read the entire message by the Dalai Lama to the Chinese People

Lama Zopa Rinpoche: Support His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibet

The purpose of doing demonstrations is to fulfill the Guru His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Holy wishes, this Guru Yoga practice is the path to enlightenment for the benefit of sentient beings.

It is also important to repay the kindness of the Tibetan people, who have preserved the complete Buddha Dharma, not only Vajrayana but the whole path, they have preserved all the teachings for a long time. Due to this we non-Tibetans are able to receive the complete teachings, enjoy and make our lives meaningful.

Now that their need is most urgent we need to be aware of how we can help - it is very important. This is what you would do if you are a sensible person, a thoughtful, intelligent person.

I have sent a message to His Holiness the Dalai Lama explaining what we will do and also requesting what prayers we should do for the achievement of success.

With much love and prayers,
Lama Zopa

Note:
Also Rinpoche’s advice is to recite the Golden Light Sutra for peace in Tibet and in the world – please go to http://www.fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/advice/peace.asp to read Rinpoche’s words about the benefits of reciting this powerful sutra.

From a Recent Teachings by His Holiness in Delhi

We, Valentina Dolara and Alison Murdoch, are writing from Delhi where we have had the good fortunate to attend some private teachings with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Yesterday His Holiness spoke directly about the troubles in Tibet, asking all supporters worldwide to help in any way they can, providing that this happens in a strictly non-violent way. He explained that this is a moment of crisis, and that it is all of us, rather than the Tibetans in exile, who have the potential to shift the situation.

His Holiness specifically stated, not for the first time, that Tibetan dharma cannot survive without Tibetan freedom. He explained that only Tibetan Buddhism has been able to preserve the full Nalanda tradition and its message of universal compassion, its techniques to promote inner values and its teachings on interdependence, with their extraordinary potential to bring peace and harmony to the modern world.

As members of the FPMT network, we have tasted these precious teachings for ourselves. From the heart, this most precious of teachers has asked for every dharma student to support the cause of Tibet.

One of the only ways that we can influence the decisions of the Chinese government is to show that there is widespread and increasing public condemnation of their actions in Tibet. How can we do this? How can we link together all the feelings of individuals, who by themselves may feel powerless, but as a group could have an unforgettable impact?

We have a simple suggestion. We all want to stand up for Tibet. Let's do it, literally. Every day, let's commit to simply standing up, just for a few moments, with either a printed or digital photo of the Tibetan flag in our hands. Individually or in a group. Quietly or noisily. In the most creative and spectacular way imaginable. On the street, in schools, on trains and buses, in the workplace, in bars and restaurants. Let's be visible, newsworthy, fun and contagious. We want to make our feelings public throughout the world, and we want millions of people to join in.

March 31st has been designated an international day of action by the International Tibet Support Network. Will you stand up that day, wherever you happen to be? And then continue, as long as the situation lasts.

We are not only standing up for one country that is experiencing oppression, but for every act of injustice and repression that has happened personally to us, or to other people in the world.

This is something we can all do for Tibet. Who can you phone, text or email and encourage to join in? Can we make this happen across the globe, particularly during the next weeks, before it is too late?

With a big prayer for peace in Tibet
Valentina and Alison

Download a print-ready image of the Tibetan Flag from Lama Yeshe Ling.