Sunday 16 June, 2013
 
Susan Wood interviews the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Spiritual Leader.
 
Q+A, 9-10am Sundays on TV ONE and one hour later on TV ONE plus 1. Repeated Sunday evening at 11:30pm. Streamed live at www.tvnz.co.nz   
 
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Q+A
 
SUSAN WOOD INTERVIEWS THE DALAI LAMA
 
SUSAN WOOD
Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, was here this week. It was a private visit. This country, like so many, is unwilling to risk its booming trade with China, which has ruled Tibet since 1959.  Now, though, the Dalai Lama is hopeful China’s new president, Xi Jinping, will take a softer line on Tibet. I sat down with him and asked if he thinks his homeland is likely to regain its autonomy in his lifetime.
 
DALAI LAMA -  Tibetan Spiritual Leader
Yes, I feel things will change. There are a number of reasons. Firstly, the Tibetan spirit is very strong. And then, since we are not seeking independence. We are very much committed to remain within the People’s Republic of China for our own interest, the economy interest. And then we have our own language, our own script and culture. A number of Chinese are now really showing interest in Tibetan Buddhism. And many Chinese are really showing us their solidarity. So therefore, after all, this problem must solve between Han brothers and sisters and Tibetan brothers and sisters. So support from Han people is very essential. Now, that’s growing.
 
SUSAN          And do you think it will become just a softening of the attitude? How do you see it actually happening, the, sort of, more autonomy for your people, for Tibet?
 
DALAI LAMA
                        The China proper, the voice of freedom, democracy, rule of law and freedom of speech and free media - these voices, year by year, are increasing. Last two years, we know just over a thousand articles in Chinese language, wrote by Chinese, all these articles fully sort of support about our [indistinct] approach and very critical about their own government policy. So these are very positive sorts of developments.
 
SUSAN          So you feel you will set foot in Tibet again personally?
 
DALAI LAMA
                        Oh, yes. I’m quite sure.
 
SUSAN          How will that day be for you after so many years away?
 
DALAI LAMA
                        Of course, a big change already there. But still Tibet is Tibet. (LAUGHS) And then I will look, and I am thinking seven billion human beings is actually the same. I always see sharing other people, and also I myself, you see, firmly believe in the oneness of humanity.
 
SUSAN          And yet, Your Holiness, even if we are - and we are, I agree - one people, there is so much conflict still in the world.
 
DALAI LAMA
                        Mm.
 
SUSAN          Why are we unable to live peacefully?
 
DALAI LAMA
                        That’s extreme selfish, narrow-minded, short-sighted. Lack of sense of respect to others’ lives, others’ interests.
 
SUSAN          In your fight over the past 50 years - I know it’s been a peaceful fight - do you feel that you’ve been let down by the West, by the UN? They’ve done nothing since 1965.
 
DALAI LAMA
                        No, the things are not easy. Now look at Syria. Everybody is expressing their serious concern about the violence and innocent people - women, children - killed, but cannot do much. It’s the reality - complicated.
 
SUSAN          How do you remain so hopeful?
 
DALAI LAMA
                        The early part of the 20th century and later part of the century, much has changed. In the European continent at the beginning of the 20th century, they fought each other for their own sovereignty. Now the later part of the century, now European Union. For example, France and Germany, they even created unified Franco-German forces. In the early part of the 20th century, it was unthinkable. Now science is also now showing interest about the mind, about emotion, that also kind of spirituality. And then peace movement, I think, including NZ and many places, particularly among the younger generation. It is a clear sign. They really fed up about violence. Now, these things. And then evidence about the importance of ecology. These are positive signs. And then also the concern and voice about this gap between the rich and the poor. Very good. And then ecology - these things. I think we human beings, generally speaking, are becoming more mature.
 
SUSAN          Nelson Mandela. How would you regard his contribution?
 
DALAI LAMA
                        Oh, great. I had the opportunity to meet him after he took the presidency with the new democratic constitution. And Nelson Mandela and Bishop Tutu, they really carry genuine, sort of, spiritual peace and non-violence. Even after they got the power, they made special effort for reconciliation. Now, these are, you see, efforts to remove negative feelings here. These are the key factors for genuine peace. So Nelson Mandela is one of the great human beings. His spirit will remain forever, like Mahatma Gandhi. He is physically no longer with us, but his spirit is very much alive. And Martin Luther King. These are great people, great personalities. So their spirits remain.
 
SUSAN          What is it about a man or a woman who is able to be treated so badly and yet come out with such compassion, such forgiveness? Because so many people turn bitter.
 
DALAI LAMA
                        Then analyse if you keep bitterness, do you get any benefit? The bitterness feeling really helps to solve the problem? (CHUCKLES) So, of course, you sometimes criticise me, sometimes I also feel some irritation. Then I think, ‘Oh, what use is that irritated, sort of, feeling? It only destroys my own peace of mind. No help to solve the problem. So negative emotion is truly an enemy, an enemy within ourselves. If you let the influence or dominance of these negative emotions, actually, you are a loser. (SUSAN LAUGHS)
 
SUSAN          Do you see a time, Your Holiness, when money will matter less to people?
 
DALAI LAMA
                        Through education, through awareness. Many of my friends are very rich. I think some are billionaires. But as a person, unhappy person. So this is an example that money will not bring peace of mind. Some temporary satisfaction. I think awareness through education, they eventually will realise the most important thing for happy life is within ourselves.
 
SUSAN          It’s been a pleasure and an honour. Thank you for your time today.
 
DALAI LAMA
                        Thank you. (BOWS AND SHAKES SUSAN’S HAND. POINTS TO HER RING) This brings some peace of mind? (SUSAN LAUGHS, DALAI LAMA SLAPS HER HAND AND CHUCKLES)
 
SUSAN          (TO THE PANEL) What we was tapping there was my diamond ring. So I got my lesson, really. I’m not sure what I was supposed to do with it. Take it off and give it away? It does make me smile when I look at it, which is probably a female thing, actually.

ENDS

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