Remarks made Thursday in response to questions at an event sponsored by the Brookings Institution Asia Society and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.


On Climate Change:

"In India where I live, the climate not more than 40 years, the climate pattern are changing. In early ’60s we used to have snowfall quite thick, but it did get less and less and less. So many bother India, the climate condition is now changing. But through the last, I think two years, there’s a big change. So this, according to the scientists, is due to the global warming. And the European continent also is experiencing some differences, the weather is changing. So it is very serious, and they look at those with big ice, and the north and the south, the amount of melting, also very, very serious. And snow mountain and glaciers in Tibet also is rapidly melting. So basically, of course I’m no expert. I have a serious concern about that. I think the whole galaxy and the solar system is moving, all of it’s moving.

"But anyway, after a few billions or so years our sun also will disappear, so that’s the end of the whole world, isn’t it? So not much is – from that perspective it’s not much use, is it, to fight my interest, your interest, my place, your place, my religion, your religion – it’s silly. Think more whole planet, and 6 billion community; consider as one entity. Much happier – much reasonable. I’m always telling people the very concept of real days no longer relevant today’s world. So anyway, so the whole universe that’s changing. So I think getting warmer, I think with that velocity is changing...

"So it is everybody’s responsibility, I think – responsibility and out of evidence. So I think immediate people, I think more important role than religious leader – tell people. They are our responsibility – or dangerous, of this delicate situation about the environment, than how to take diversity measures of individual family, individual person. I think it’s important...

"Then, American lifestyle, I think, always consume, consume. Maybe think more, then this also is related with the gap, rich and poor. In our audience, maybe some billionaire – so the number of billionaires increasing, the poor people still living poor, and sometimes even poorer, even within the country, is very sad. It’s not only morally wrong but practically also is a sort of problem."

On Burma:

"Of course, very, very sad. And this crisis, recent crisis happened – actually, I was in Europe. I saw some pictures of Buddhist monk, like Tibetan monks robe – Maroon color – Maroon color and monk receiving stick from police, very sad, very sad. Then their purpose, an open society or democracy, very right.

"So are they, military junta, unfortunately, I think they are quite – looks is a very disturbing. I think lack of vision, future, is simply think about their present power, which is very narrow-minded in their thinking. So, I think the outside world have the responsibility of making better awareness to these people. So constant appeal or persuasion is very, very necessary. I think many in the United Nations, they are doing that and many think it’s good. And my contact Aung San Suu Kyi yes, I have few communication. Then the monk demonstrators I have no valid contact – no valid contact."

On America:

"We have the view or impression America is champion of democracy, liberty, freedom. And then eventually, I myself witnessed that. That is greatness of America. I think even the stature, the administration, the Congress, Houses – it seems to me I think the power is divided, is balanced. I think this already is wonderful, wonderful. And then American public, I usually have found very easy to communicate. So therefore, I think your economy power and also military power, I think American spirit, I think really great, and you can promote that. And I commend it. I think that’s very, very important.

"Then I think in 1972, when Bangladesh crisis happened, then is East Pakistan. The American government, at that time, we got the impression, a little bit tilted towards Pakistan...

"Then you see in Asia losing some respect. Previously, we always believed all, really gentle friend of freedom, democracy, rule of law. But during that period, America supporting military dictator, military junta, it’s sad. Such things are, I think very, very damaging image of America. So we see it as, in some countries, in Asia and often Middle East, and I think even Africa, sometimes, I think due to certain policy I think great damage, the image of America.
I often visit – expressing some of my public talk in Europe and other countries like President Bush. Some of his policy, you see, I have some reservation. But as a person, very nice person. I love him. I’m serious, a few locations in Europe I expressed that on my sort of, representative there, a little bit question because in Europe, many Europeans dislike President Bush. I like him. Well, I don’t, oh. And this kind of a person called from the American society, liberal, open, very straightforward, very nice. So that’s my impression.

"So I – of course now, this is none my business, I think your business. I think America, American foreign policy, I think number two; and the number one, I think, should keep your ancestors because of the principles: democracy, liberty, freedom, rule of law. I think these are very, very important.

"Sometimes you may gain or you may lose temporary gain, but long run these principles are very, very important. And anyway, America is the most powerful democratic country. Then, next to India, most populated democratic country. I think these two countries have, I think, great important role to serve humanity, to bring humanity more happier, more equal, more peaceful. That’s ideal."

On Compassion:

"So read more – analyze more the value of compassion, warm-heartedness and destructiveness about anger, hatred. Now, here there is not only a question of peace of mind, but even physical well-being, constant anger, jealousy, fear, hesitation, very bad for our health. Some scientist, she told me the anger, strong anger and hatred actually eating our inner system. The compassion brings inner strength. That brings piece of mind. That is very, very – very, very important to strengthen or sustain our inner system.

"And then I think regarding our daily life, if one day we lost – sort of very strong temper, anger, then hold your mood – remain very bad, then at night, you still suffer. Isn’t it? No? That is also is a digestion also eventually suffer. Perhaps you may rely more on alcohol – one glass, two glass, three glass, four glass, and then mad like that. Very bad for your health. So genuine peace of mind in order to get – peace of mind through drugs or through this use is nonsense.

"We have, by birth, we have equipped to counter this negative destructive emotion. But nature we all have. So thinking on these lines, then you develop conviction, full conviction in inner world, particularly emotional world, there are destructive emotions, construction emotions. Clear evidence that life is of taking care about our health. Similarly, other evidence taking care of our inner world – (inaudible). So that is the way. Then on top of that, if someone – believer, then pray to God. Give more blessing in the form of compassion. And wonderful. If that even fail, it doesn’t matter; you’re already making effort."

Remarks during his visit Thursday to the N Street Village, a shelter for homeless women. During the visit, he met a group of women who are learning meditation under the guidance of DC-based American Buddhist nun, Ani Tenzin Lhamo.

“When I heard [about your situation], my first reflection was that I am also homeless. So then I immediately felt it is my moral responsibility for me to meet [you] and share some of [your] feelings and experience. At least in shaking hands. Buddhist monks are not allowed to kiss!...But physical touch [is important] and holding hands can sometimes make both sides feel comfortable and calm. We are all human beings, physically, mentally and emotionally. We all have the same rights. It can be lonely, difficult, to manage in society today. At age 16, I lost my freedom. At age 34, I lost my country. I am now 72 years old. Things are difficult but we must never shake our hope and our determination. This is essential. We need self-confidence. In the meantime we human beings have two hands, which means that we must work hard. In order for our actions to be beneficial to others, we must act from compassion. Our motivations become constructive and meaningful.

"Material development [in society] is very important, but this produces only physical comfort and not mental comfort. Mental comfort only emerges from human compassion and love. We all have the same potential to feel peace. Deep inside all of us there is courage, self-confidence, will-power, the capability to take care of others.

"In the USA are many poor families, and a major income gap. This gap between people is not only morally wrong, but it is also a source of problems, [and this has been particularly evident] since September 11. Islam is one of the great religious traditions of the world, and its teachings are also about love and compassion. Some of my Muslim friends tell me that people [terrorists] claim to be Muslims, but how can they be, when they are creating bloodshed? One Muslim Imam told me that according to his interpretation, Islam is not only about love and respect for human beings but also about respect for all sentient beings [like Buddhism].

"We are all human beings on this planet, and we are all dependent on each other. It benefits no one to create barriers and division. All human beings are like brothers and sisters, and must realize our common interests. I am very moved to be here.”

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual leader of Tibet. Since 1959, he has been living in Dharamsala, in northern India, the seat of the Tibetan government in exile. Read his "Vision for a Compassionate Future" in Outlook. Watch excerpts of his remarks.