His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Rui Gong
Rui Gong : My true impressions of the Dalai Lama
About the Dalai Lama, Many of the legends we heard in China were negative information like the Dalai Group engaged in separatist activities, how to tear up the “17-Article Agreement”, then fled to India, and even in India set up a government in exile. Oops! This is in the eyes of the Chinese really sin, completely contrary to our unified thinking inertia. But when you look at Baidu Encyclopedia and other domestic Web site information, there is one truth about the Dalai Lama you can not denied forever. That is, he won the Nobel Peace Prize in1989. On this point, he is in sharp contrast with the previous separalist image, and for his personal cast a layer of mystery. Of course, such a mystery is targeted at the domestic shield of the masses.
I have always had an indescribable feeling for the Dalai Lama himself, quietly paying attention to him through various unofficial channels, including his words and deeds. Through his window, I have a little understanding of the Tibetan people. There are three things that make me impressed. First, the Dalai Lama in April 2016 interview with the BBC’s bold remarks, he said that the reincarnation system was outdated and should be adapted to the democratic trend. I listened very surprised. So I respect for his heart, I feel he speaks in a coherent manner, sound steady heavy, is a spiritual consciousness with modern consciousness, no wonder there are so many followers. The second thing that impressed me was the election of the Tibetan government in exile, which has been held by foreign media. It has been held for two times and is said to be in order. We have not experienced any election in China. Therefore, I am full of envy and admiration for the fact that the Tibetan government in exile is actually carrying out elections. In this matter, I have been able to look at the elections in such an orderly manner，and feel that Tibetans have the quality of civilization. I respect the Dalai Lama for giving up political power and practicing democracy in the exiled Tibetan community.
The third thing related to entertainment. I am a Hollywood fan, I like to go online to collect any famous, or nameless films I want to see, so far there is little not find online. However, in my long career film searching, there are two domestic banned films that I spent a lot of effort to collect, because these two films are prohibited both inside and outside the Great Fire Wall, and both related to the Dalai Lama. The first film “Red Corner” actor Richard Gere was named by the Chinese government as one of the unpouplar figures and permanently banned of entry because of his supporting to the Tibetan government in exile and the close relationship with the Dalai Lama. The second film, “Seven years in Tibet,” tells the story of World War II Austrian mountaineers fled to Lhasa, met the childhood Dalai Lama,and become his intimate friend and teacher, I highly recommended this film to friends who would like to know about the Dalai Lama.
So, what kind of person is the Dalai Lama in the end? The above is all I know of him before I see him.To tell the truth, I never thought would officially see him, the world is so small, he flew to Europe, flew to the United States, flew to Japan, do a worldwide tour. I can at any time through Facebook and Twitter to pay attention , from the point to the surface, such a specific image, at least in my heart, I never far away from his elderly. However, God has arranged. By the end of October 2016, I have the honor as a member of China Youth Students and Scholars Association delegation to visit Dharamsala of India, so I saw in my eyes my Holiness – the Dalai Lama.
It is not easy to visit His Holiness Dalai Lama, he visits several countries every year. We need to apply in advance and make an appointment when His Holiness happened to be in Dharamsala. After a series of procedures including communication before the meeting, security check, waiting in line, we have finally met the Dalai Lama. There is nothing mysterious about meeting with the Dalai Lama himself, because I do see him and listen to him on the Internet. His own appearance is no any difference with the photo or video. See him like to see an old friend, the expression on his face was as kind as my father, the whole meeting atmosphere is very peaceful. His Holiness the Dalai Lama accepted the video interview of Mr. Qin Weiping, president of Chinese Youth Students and Scholars Association.I seriously listened to His Holiness speech, his point of view is very interesting, let me have a fresh feeling. He said he was a Marxist, and affirmed the main theory of Marxism. He also said that the anti-corruption of Xi Jinping’s government was good and gave high hopes to the reform of the Chinese government. The most interesting is he said Xi Jinping should launch a compassion-based cultural revolution, not like the hatred and violence based cultural revolution before. Others mentioned China’s freedom of the press and the independence of the judiciary, meeting for about an hour.
Finally, when holding the warm hands of the Dalai Lama for a group photo, a thousand words in my heart, I do not know where to start. I think this is the real Holiness I have seen.
About author
Rui Gong, member of Chinese Youth Students and Scholars Association & Youth Council of China Democracy Party, written in Chengdu, China. 5 November 2016
