His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Okinawa, Japan, on November 11, 2012.

Dialogue is only realistic way to solve problems, says His Holiness

Okinawa, Japan, 11 November 2012 –  Departing from the sea front hotel amidst a slight morning drizzle, His Holiness visited the Konpacto and Bodaiju (Bodhi tree park) at Okinawa Island in Japan. About 150 people came to the park for the event. His Holiness planted a tree sapling at the park and wrote a message of peace to the younger generations of Okinawan people. In the message His Holiness wrote, “No good result will come out from violence. Violence is not the correct way to solve your problems and pursue your needs. The realistic way to solve problems is through dialogue”. His Holiness then visited the Himeyuri stupa and war museum. The Himeyuri stupa and war museum is dedicated to the hundreds of Japanese teachers and students who were posted at Okinawa Island as nurses during the second world war. More than 227 young girls died during that operation. In the afternoon, His Holiness gave a public talk on ‘The strength to overcome difficulties’ at the Kenritsu Budo hall. The talk was organised by Dr Nagamunei and group. More than 5,000 people came to attend the talk. Addressing the public, His Holiness said “a calm mind is very important for a peaceful and happy life. Physical and material comfort doesn’t necessarily guarantee 100% happiness”. His Holiness also said that neuro scientists in America has found out through an experiment that after practicing compassion, stress and blood pressures of people are reduced. So, a healthy mind is very crucial for a healthy body. Speaking about the war-torn historical background of Okinawa island, His Holiness said, “Past is only a memory, an experience. We cannot change it. But the future depends on the present. And using the experience of the past, we have to build a peaceful and happier world”.At the same time, His Holiness mentioned that the method to achieve happiness should be realistic. “We have to look from various angles. One dimensional outlook is not enough. The method to attain peace should be realistic and holistic,” His Holiness said. Fear, anger, jealousy, hatred, distrust; these negative emotion comes from the basis of self-centric arrogance. We have to train our mind to develop more compassion. Once we develop a sense of well-being for others, we develop a calm mind,” His Holiness added. His Holiness also stressed the need for secular moral ethics through a modern secular education. “Secularism means respect to all religious traditions including non-believers. Secular ethics promotes common interests on the basis of mutual respect and mutual harmony”, His Holiness said. A question and answer session was held after the talk. Tomorrow His Holiness will give a group interview to Okinawa TV and Ryukyu Shimpo newspaper. He will then leave for Tokyo where he will give a public talk on balancing the body and mind and will meet political leaders from various political parties of Japan.   http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/878-dialogue-is-only-realistic-way-to-solve-problems-says-his-holiness