His Holiness the Dalai Lama with a group of students from Namgyal Insitute of Buddhist Studies during their meeting in New Delhi, India on November 29, 2013. Photo/Jeremy Russell/OHHDL

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Begins his Winter Sojourn in Delhi

Between his return from his trip to Japan and his departure to South India, to resume his teaching of the great texts of the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has elected to remain in Delhi.

This morning, acceding to an invitation from an old friend, ophthalmologist Dr Devindra Sood, he made a short visit to express his support for the recently opened Eye-Q Institute of Glaucoma. He has known Dr Sood, and before that his father, for many years. At the door, he duly cut the ribbon and scattered flower petals in benediction. Dr Sood then introduced him to members of the Institute’s staff and showed him the premises and equipment, while describing the up to date treatments the Institute can provide to relieve glaucoma in particular. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with members of the Tibetan community living in Japan in Tokyo, Japan on November 26, 2013. Photo/Office of Tibet, Japan

Addressing Tibetans and Koreans before Leaving Japan

Tokyo, Japan, 26 November 2013 – On the final morning of this visit to Japan, His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with a group of 300 Buddhists, who had come from Korea to meet him. He greeted them warmly:
“Brothers and sisters from Korea, I’m very happy to have this chance to meet you again. China, Korea, Vietnam and Japan have traditionally been Buddhist countries. Although in any particular country there may also be other faiths you have many Buddhist temples and monasteries, so you have an understandable interest in Buddhism.”

He observed that in the 21st century South Korea has achieved a high degree of material development. “But,” he asked, “does all this material development bring us peace of mind? Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking during his public talk at Ryogoku Kokugikan Hall in Tokyo, Japan on November 25, 2013. Photo/Office of Tibet, Japan

Talk in Tokyo – Making the Best of Our Lives

Tokyo, Japan, 25 November 2013 – Having remained fine for the entire duration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s stay in Japan, today, as the visit draws to a close, the weather turned sombre and grey. It rained as he drove to Kyoto station to board the Shinkansen bullet train to Tokyo. Passing back through Shizuoka, where last week the sun shone and the sky was clear, today, the crest of Mt Fuji was hidden in cloud.
The venue for His Holiness’s afternoon talk was the Ryogoku Kokugikan Hall, an indoor sports arena that often hosts Sumo wrestling tournaments. Large photographs of past champions gaze down from the upper reaches of the hall, reminiscent of the guardians who traditionally protect temple gateways.
As is his wont, His Holiness addressed the 2500 people gathered to hear him as his brothers and sisters and told them how happy he was to be with them. Read the rest of this entry »

View of the stage at the Kyoto International Conference Centre, venue for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's conversation with writer Banana in Kyoto, Japan on November 24, 2013. Photo/Office of Tibet, Japan

Interviews and a Conversation about Potential Modes of Expression to Bring Freedom to the World

Kyoto, Japan, 24 November 2013 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave three interviews during the morning today. In the first, Ms Kintoyo from Kyoto Seika University, who have been his hosts in Kyoto, prompted him to talk about responding to different images. He told her that whenever he sees an image of Mary carrying the infant Jesus he has a strong sense of maternal affection, which is something with universal impact. Images of Jesus on the cross and the skeletal fasting Buddha have deep meaning and significance, but lack the universal appeal that the conventional figure of the Buddha shares with Mary and child. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking at Kyoto Seika University in Kyoto, Japan on November 23, 2013. Photo/Office of Tibet, Japan

Talking to Students at Kyoto Seika University

Kyoto, Japan, 23 November 2013 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s first visitor today was Mitsuko Shimomura, who had come to conduct a television interview with him. In her distinguished journalistic career she became the first woman Editor-in-Chief of the Asahi Journal, a major national-circulation weekly magazine, before opting to work as an independent writer and journalist, TV commentator and public speaker. Having moderated the first dialogue between His Holiness and scientists in Japan a year ago, the first thing she wanted to know was how he felt the dialogue is developing.

“As you know, I’m very happy that a dialogue is taking place between science derived from ancient Indian thought and modern scientists. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking at the Interfaith Service for World Peace in Shizuoka, Japan on November 22, 2013. Photo/Office of Tibet, Japan

Interfaith Service for World Peace at Nihondaira, Shizuoka

Shizuoka, Japan, 22 November 2013 – When Mt Fuji was added to the World Heritage List as a cultural site in June this year it prompted another exciting idea.  Save Tibet Network in conjunction with the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan and East Asia decided to convene an interfaith meeting focussed on world peace in the vicinity. In his introduction to the occasion today, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Seishu Makino said that while it limited the size of event they could hold, the choice of Nihondaira as the location, in full view of Mt Fuji was an inspiration. The very name Nihondaira means ‘to pacify Japan’, making it an appropriate place to pray for peace in the world and Mt Fuji has been an object of pilgrimage for centuries. As everyone attending the gathering today witnessed for themselves, it is uplifting simply to gaze at its snow-capped cone aloft in the clear blue sky. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking during his public talk on "Shift to a Peaceful 21st Century" in Shizuoka, Japan on November 21, 2013. Photo/Office of Tibet, Japan

Interview in Tokyo Followed by Public Talk in Shizuoka

Shizuoka, Japan, 21 November 2013 – Before leaving Tokyo for other engagements this morning, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave an extensive interview to Yoshiko Sakurai, who he knows well. She participated in scientific discussion with him at Chiba Institute of Technology and was present for his meeting with parliamentarians yesterday. She began by asking how he felt that meeting had gone; he replied: “I am a promoter of democracy, which is why I have brought the role of the Dalai Lamas in Tibetan political affairs to an end. Meeting with the parliamentarians was an honour because they are representatives of the people; it’s they in whom the people have placed their trust. This was the second time I’ve met with them and they responded with warmth and genuine interest.” Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with participants in a meeting with Japanese scholars of Tibetan Studies in Tokyo, Japan on November 19, 2013. Photo/Jeremy Russell/OHHDL

From Sadness to Hope – the Power of Compassion

Tokyo, Japan, 19 November 2013 – A short drive through Tokyo’s busy streets brought His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Zojoji Temple today. This grand institution belongs to the Jodo shu, one of the Pure Land traditions of Japanese Buddhism, dedicated to the single-minded recitation of the Nembutsu, a prayer to Amitabha Buddha. A Zojoji Temple has stood on this site for more than 500 years, but was badly damaged during the last war. The Daiden (Hondo), that His Holiness visited was rebuilt, combining ancient and modern traditions, in 1974. He was received at the steps to the temple by the Chief Abbot Yagi and escorted inside to a seat from which he could observe the prayers led by the Abbot to poignant musical accompaniment. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is greeted by students as he enters the hall before his talk at Yakumo Academy, a girls' school in Tokyo, Japan on November 18, 2013. Photo/Jeremy Russell/OHHDL

Students of Yakumo Academy, Tokyo, cheer His Holiness the Dalai Lama

When His Holiness the Dalai Lama stepped out of his car into the sunshine and the grounds of the Yakumo Academy this morning a great cheer went up. He was audibly welcomed not only by the students on the quadrangle, but also those on the balconies and at the windows of classrooms on the upper floors. Many of them waved Tibetan flags in their hands. He was greeted personally by the President-principal Akira Kondo.

Once the students had gathered in the hall, His Holiness entered and again was met by 950 smiling schoolgirls, their hands folded in friendship. In his welcoming remarks the Principal told him that they were all looking forward to his meaningful advice. Read the rest of this entry »

Il monastero di Ganden brucia

Tibet: danneggiato da un incendio il monastero di Ganden in Lithang. Pechino annuncia: fine della politica del figlio unico e abolizione dei campi di lavoro

Nella notte di sabato 16 novembre un incendio ha gravemente danneggiato il monastero di Ganden Thubchen Choekhorling nella Contea di Lithang, prefettura di Kardze, nella regione del Sichuan. La sala di preghiera, dove i monaci si riuniscono per le celebrazioni religiose e le sessioni di dibattito, è andata completamente distrutta (nella foto) assieme alle statue e ai preziosi manufatti che la ornavano. Fondato dal terzo Dalai Lama nel 1580, il monastero di Ganden Thubchen Choekhorling è uno dei più antichi e famosi monasteri tibetani della regione. Read the rest of this entry »

Dialogue with Scientists in Tokyo on ‘Universe, Life and Education’

For the fifth in a series of dialogues His Holiness the Dalai Lama has held with scientists in Japan since 2004, he was accompanied into the hall where the meeting was taking place by the Abbot of Koyasan, headquarters of the Shingon school of Japanese Buddhism. Dr Haruo Saji opened proceedings, drawing attention to the many correspondences that exist between Buddhist and scientific approaches to reality. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama in conversation about the contribution of science and technology to human happiness at the Chiba Institute of Technology in Tsudanuma, Japan on November 13, 2013. Photo/OHHDL

Discussing the Role of Science and Technology at Chiba Institute of Technology

Tsudanuma, Japan, 16 November 2013 – Under sparkling autumn sunshine His Holiness the Dalai Lama was received at Chiba Institute of Technology (CIT) by journalist and writer Yoshiko Sakurai, who would be his interlocutor in a conversation about the contribution of science and technology to human happiness. She introduced Chairman of the Board of Directors, Osamu Setokuma and University President, Professor Kazuhito Komiya.
In a lecture theatre, before an audience of 600 teachers and students, Ms Sakurai told His Holiness that students at this 71 year old institution have a long established concern for the welfare of humanity. She also recalled that when Hideki Yukawa became the first Japanese winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1949, he said he had been able to develop his Meson Theory because he was both Japanese and a Buddhist. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking at the dialogue with scientists in Tokyo, Japan on November 17, 2013. Photo/Office of Tibet Japan

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Dialogue with Scientists in Tokyo on ‘Universe, Life and Education’

Tokyo, Japan, 17 November 2013 – For the fifth in a series of dialogues His Holiness the Dalai Lama has held with scientists in Japan since 2004, he was accompanied into the hall where the meeting was taking place by the Abbot of Koyasan, headquarters of the Shingon school of Japanese Buddhism. Dr Haruo Saji opened proceedings, drawing attention to the many correspondences that exist between Buddhist and scientific approaches to reality. He also mentioned that there are things that are difficult for us to know and referred to our inability to see our own real face. He said what we see in the mirror is only a reflection and a photograph is only dots of ink on paper. The Koyasan Abbot said he has found much in common between his tradition and Tibetan Buddhism and looked forward to listening to His Holiness’s conversation with scientists. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is greeted by well-wishers on his arrival at the airport in Narita, Japan on November 15, 2013. Photo/Jeremy Russell/OHHDL

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Arrives on a Visit to Japan

Narita, Japan, 15 November 2013 – As the Dreamliner in which His Holiness the Dalai Lama had flown from India touched down at Narita Airport this morning, the weather, not surprisingly for the time of year, was overcast. In contrast, the friends who came to meet him were warm and welcoming. Before driving to his hotel, he briefly answered journalists’ questions, stressing how urgent it is to overcome a sense of ‘them’ and ‘us’ and instead consider the oneness of humanity,.

In the early afternoon, he gave an interview to Nobutaka Murao, a newscaster for News Zero on NTV, which began with a question about the purpose of his visit. He replied that he hoped to meet the public, to share the idea that happiness lies within. He said that Buddhists regularly pray to benefit all beings, Read the rest of this entry »

Il giovane monaco Tsering Gyal appena immolatosi.

Un monaco si autoimmola in Amdo. nuovi arresti a Driru

E’ giunta in mattinata notizia di una nuova autoimmolazione in Tibet, nella regione dell’Amdo. Tsering Gyal (nella foto), un giovane monaco del monastero di Akyong, nella Contea di Golok Pema, si è tolto la vita con il fuoco alle ore 17.40, ora locale. Si tratta del 122° caso di autoimmolazione all’interno del Tibet dal 2009, il 129° comprendendo anche coloro che hanno sacrificato la loro vita nell’esilio invocando la libertà del Tibet.

Tsering Gyal, 20 anni, è stato immediatamente traportato all’ospedale di Xiling dagli agenti di pubblica sicurezza subito accorsi sul luogo dell’immolazione. E’ deceduto la sera stessa, attorno alle 22.00. Queste le sue ultime parole: “Oggi mi sono autoimmolato per l’unione di tutti i tibetani. Le mie sole speranze sono l’unità dei tibetani e la preservazione della lingua e della tradizione del mio paese. Solo così tutti i tibetani potranno essere riuniti”. Testimoni oculari hanno riferito che, prima di stramazzare a terra avvolto dalle fiamme, Tsering ha intonato: “Possa Sua Santità il Dalai Lama sapere…”A mezzanotte, il corpo carbonizzato di Tsering Gyal è stato portato al monastero dove i monaci hanno officiato i rituali funebri. Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his teachings to a group from Malaysia at the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamsala, India on November 11, 2013. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Teaches the Three Principles of the Path and Gives White Tara Permission

Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, India, 11 November 2013 – In response to the impromptu announcement that His Holiness the Dalai Lama would be giving a teaching requested by a group of Malaysians in public, residents of Dharamsala gathered early in the Tsuglagkhang this morning. His Holiness first conducted the preparatory rites for the White Tara Permission he intended to give before he began to teach.
“You won’t achieve your goals just by reciting mantras,” he said, “it’s only by revealing reality that the Buddhas indicate the way to liberation. We have 100 volumes of the Kangyur and 220 volumes of the Tengyur; these are texts to study. The aim of the teaching is that we transform ourselves within. This requires study and means we have to use our intelligence.” Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to a group from Vietnam at his residence in Dharamsala, India on November 7, 2013. Photo/Dang Tran Dung

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Introduces Secular Ethics and Buddhist Teachings to a Group from Vietnam

Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, India, 7 November 2013 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama met today with a group of 71 Vietnamese CEOs, artists and intellectuals, the majority of them women, within his residential compound. He began, as he so often does, by emphasising his and their common humanity.

“As human beings we are the same. A neurologist will tell you that Vietnamese and Tibetan brains are the same, our emotions are the same, and our intelligence is the same. Therefore, we have the same potential to think more deeply about the situation we find ourselves in.” Read the rest of this entry »

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Addresses Nuns After the Great Winter Debate Session

Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, India, 3 November 2013 – This morning His Holiness the Dalai Lama met briefly with nuns from eight nunneries who for the last month have been taking part in the Jang-Gun-Chö, the Great Winter Debate, held this year at Dolma Ling Nunnery. He began: “You’ve all been engaged in debate based on Dharmakirti’s  ‘Commentary on Epistemology’ (Pramanavarttika), What did you learn from each other?”
He said that there are reports that at one time in Tibet there was a tradition of nuns studying the classic Buddhist texts, which eventually lapsed.  This has changed. He cited nuns from Kopan in Nepal last year defying the Tibetan joke about nuns being proud of having memorized the Samantabhadra prayer Read the rest of this entry »