NDTV: Your call with the Dalai Lama: full transcript

NDTV.com | Updated: January 07, 2013 00:27 IS

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New Delhi: En “Your Call” (Your call), The Dalai Lama answers some questions aboutall The country, including one from Narayana Murthy of Infosys. Below is the full transcript of the interview..

NDTV: Traditionally the arrival of a new year is celebrated, but at the beginning of this new year, India is a country united in pain and anger against the brutal rape of a young woman. In this special episode of “Your Call” I am accompanied by a very special guest, the only man who can perhaps give us an idea of ​​peace, as we try to understand the brutal events around us, the Dalai Lama. This is a time when in India there is a great feeling of sorrow andira for what happened to a young woman. ¿His Holiness, What would be your message at a time like this??

Dalai Lama: Of course, first of all, These types of incidents are really very sad., very sad. Now India is a huge country with a long history. I think it has a very civilized cultural heritage. India has a culture of non-violence “Ahimsa”, for at least two to three thousand years. Now he has a difficult period in modern times because of the freedom struggle. Indian leaders follow thousand-year-old principles, so religious harmony on the basis of mutual understanding is also very much alive. So now I think the big picture of India, that material development with modern education increasing or developing is very useful but at the same time and above all, people should pay more serious attention to it. See modernization including education and thousands of years of your own traditional values, These things are the basis of the moral principle. Now is what's missing, I think they are neglected. Now for more than 53 years, India is my home. So the big cities, the big buildings, many of the cars, and wide variety of facilities have greatly improved, even in my own home in Dharamshala. In more than 50 years a lot has changed, but in the meantime these types of incidents have also arisen and also a lot of corruption and injustice in activities here and there. Now people must think more seriously about how to maintain their thousand-year-old tradition. Basically, human values, these are very important.

NDTV: as a society, ¿how we can regain our moral compass? I have some questions for His Holiness from some young protesters who wanted to ask him some questions.. Let's hear what they have to say

Ask 1: Right now in the situation where this girl has died, a terrible death due to her horrendous rape. The public is screaming for his blood, ¿How can we argue with them against the death penalty?, that I am against, and I believe that as a Buddhist you are also against?

NDTV: We see so much anger. People want the death penalty. ¿How to turn this anger into something constructive?

Dalai Lama: Actually, This is my own belief and a few decades ago some international organizations started a movement that prohibits the death penalty.. I am one of the signatories so this is my basic position, but going from case to case, countries are making their own law. So they have to treat it according to their own law.

NDTV: You, Of course he has stated that Buddhism is against violence and that they are against the death penalty.. Leaving aside the questions of Indian laws, many have argued that the death penalty can be a deterrent, that will ensure that crimes against women come to an end, or it can become an extreme punishment. The countries of the Middle East and those of the Arab world have been cited, where the crime rate is much lower. ¿Why are you against the death penalty??

Dalai Lama: First of all, because life is so precious, “ahimsa” means respect for precious life, so you don't have to damage it. That is the idea of ​​“Ahimsa.” So according to that, Shortening life is not positive and is also a form of violence, and in particular circumstances such as abortion, This is basically a form of violence.. So we shouldn't do it, we should not apply the death penalty. Some time back I think in Tihar jail a police lady tried to introduce some meditation.

NDTV: ¿Kieran Bedi?[1]

Dalai Lama: Yeah. So that's the proper way. The death sentence means that it is a physical punishment. It's not going to help. Look for the violent method everywhere around the world. Sincere motivation is a good goal. The result of violence is always complicated. So, therefore, We must also educate these criminal people. So that they finally realize their own mistakes. You have to treat very negative people, through awareness and more education, They eventually become very good citizens.. So my opinion is that that is the appropriate way.

Ask 2: ¿How you maintain your faith in the fundamental goodness of human beings, when horrible things like this happen all the time and we can't do anything to stop them?

Dalai Lama: There are seven billion human beings, If all seven billion human beings do this kind of thing, then I'm going to lose my faith. I believe that ninety-five percent of human beings still have a human nature, keen, and sense of concern for the well-being of others. Now all we have to do is raise awareness. Respect the lives of others, Helping others is truly the best way to satisfy our own happiness. The one who hurts other people, including bullying and rape; will destroy his own life and will not have a good future. So, Well, all this depends on the responsibility, of education.

NDTV: We focus so much, of course, about India's problem at the moment, but I also have some questions from young Tibetans, so let's listen to what they have to say.

Ask 3: My question to His Holiness on the 14thº Dalai Lama, is that Tibet was an independent nation and now it is not. ¿There is a possibility that it will be an independent nation in the near future?

NDTV: Many young Tibetans want independence.

Dalai Lama: Yeah. Historically, Tibet is an independent nation.. There is no doubt when looking to the future. First of all, observe the spirit of the european union, The common interest is more important than that of the individual, since individual interest is closely linked to the common interest. So once “Vinoba[2]ji”, he once expressed the concept of ABC, What does To Afghanistan mean?, B Burma, C, Sri Lanka, then India, Pakistan. All these countries should establish some kind of pattern. So these are, it seems to me, long term, a realistic approach, If that kind of idea materializes, then Afghanistan will be much more stable and also Bangladesh and Pakistan. So therefore, yes we are an independent nation, but not necessarily just by insisting on it. Let's try to build a new kind of genuine union. If that doesn't work, so it's something different. So far our intermediate approach has had a lot of support from the Chinese people, mainly intellectuals. After the crisis of 2008, We realized that there were more than a thousand articles written by Chinese in their own language. All fully supporting the middle path and strongly criticizing their own government policy.. Anyway, the support of the Chinese people, of Chinese intelligence is very necessary. Emotionally, many young people say: “oh we want independence” but they never show us the way to achieve independence step by step. ¿How much support do we have from the Chinese people?, how much support we have from the Indian government? ¿How much support is there from the European Union?, and from the United States? It is important to think realistically. Talk about independence, independence is not easy.

NDTV: ¿Are you optimistic about the new Prime Minister Jinping Xi??

Dalai Lama: It's too early to say, but for your own interest, They have to follow the most realistic approach. The use of force is outdated, more violence, more repression, more resentment, that's logical. Therefore, I'm pretty sure the new leadership, with the help of these intellectual people, It has to continue as things have been established, Seeking the truth of the facts sooner or later is the most realistic approach. The problems of the so-called minorities such as the Tibetan problem, Mongolian or some other problem, follow the most realistic approach, and basically under the same conditions. Most of the time he emphasized equality. He was always against Han chauvinism. In recent decades that word has disappeared.

NDTV: Even though he retired in a certain way, What you say still stands as the word of God to the Tibetans and many have asked about the question of your succession., and China has said very clearly that they are the ones who want to decide. You have said that we will see what is going to happen with the reincarnation process. Some say you can even name someone before your death, which has never happened before. ¿What is your opinion on this??

Dalai Lama: Two or three years ago I made it very clear after a wide debate with the main representative of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. From time to time we meet, we talk about the future of the institution of the Dalai Lama or reincarnation. So I think two years ago we made a declaration with full consensus with the leaders, that the essential thing was my age, when he arrived at the end of the 90 and until that moment comes I am going to discuss it with the people and determine it. Once in the United States, a journalist from one of the media outlets asked me about my reincarnation., Then, holding my glass and looking at his face, I asked him if my reincarnation was running fast enough or not so fast.. Then he replied that he was not in a hurry..

NDTV: There is no rush at all, but of course you said who knows, that it could be a woman, which could be a nice break.

Dalai Lama: Actually, already in the 69, in my formal statement mentioning whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not, It depends in principle on the Tibetans. After 10 from 15 years if the situation arises that the majority of Tibetans feel that the institution of the Dalai Lama is no longer relevant, then it will automatically stop. In the case of most people want to maintain this institution, then the question of how to find the successor, which can be followed the traditional path or with some higher Tibetan Lamas, that they are a kind of successors and also reincarnations, you can see in Tibetan history, even today that this type of reincarnated Lama is actually appointed by the previous, when he's still alive. So you choose through research, Some children are found who comply with the instructions of his successor and then he is appointed. That is also possible.

NDTV: But China will turn this into a control issue.

Dalai Lama: I think this is mainly a political reason now that I'm retired. The very popular 14th Dalai Lama, now he is retired, so 15th Dalai Lama will not be so important in the political field. So their interests don't really have much reason to exist.. In the past there was a Chinese emperor, who showed interest in some high Tibetan Lama. At that time the emperors were Buddhists, and received teachings from some Tibetan Lamas, so there were some special spiritual relationships. So, naturally, when the Dalai Lama passed away, the disciple showed some interest, and had some participation, that's natural, How do you see this is possible?. Today this is something completely different. They are political reasons, So I joked by telling people that communists must first accept the theory of reincarnation., and it is with this kind of faith that they must choose reincarnation; then logically they would have some right to talk about the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama

NDTV: You represent God to so many people. The Chinese describe it in very different terms. You have been described by them at times as a demon, sometimes the Lama who wears Gucci shoes, ¿how you see yourself?

Dalai Lama: Bueno, many people have made many criticisms about Buddha. Jesus Christ also had to fight in a difficult time, so it's normal. And in my case, I met a retired Chinese official, who told me that some Chinese officials described me as a demon, but that this statement did not come from his heart but from his training. So I don't think the person who gave you this instruction actually believed that either., but rather for political reasons. I usually tell people that if they blame me, And what if blaming me helps them reduce this problem?, then I feel happy.

NDTV: What would you say to those who see you as a famous spiritual leader?, due to his friendship with Richard Gere, there is talk about the fact that they are very popular on Twitter, and they say that you are a celebrity, more than one spiritual leader, ¿What would you say to those people??

Dalai Lama: I don't care about that too, some people call me god, rey, this is nonsense. There are people who call me demon, foolishness. When the announcement about the Nobel Peace Prize was first made, I think that in the 89, A lot of media people came up to me and asked me “¿what do you feel” and I answered that I am a simple Buddhist monk, no more no less, There's no difference and I'm still that way.

NDTV: You are God for many people Your Holiness.

Dalai Lama: That's your opinion. If you think so, If you get some benefit from this point of view that's fine., and if those other people who really consider me as a demon, if so they are really happy, GOOD, It doesn't matter.

NDTV: I have some questions for you, Holiness from Kolkata now, so let's go and see what they have to say.

Ask 4: Hi, I'm Raja Guha from Kolkata., Sir I have a little question for you. According to a recent newspaper, Chinese police have been blaming the Dalai Lama, for the self-immolations and for the various incidents that are occurring in Tibet. ¿What is your point of view on this??

Dalai Lama: Yeah, I received this information. Deep down I really want to laugh. That's the indication of desperation, which is actually difficult for them to explain to the outside world and they also put a lot of restriction about this information to their own people. Now these days I have always been mentioning when I met some Chinese, 1.3 millions of Chinese have every right to know the reality, 1.3 millions of chinese, once they know reality they will also have the ability to judge what is right and what is wrong. Therefore, censorship is immoral, deceive your own people, let them know what is good or bad; Let them judge that is very important.. Then the second, The Chinese judicial system should be promoted or elevated to the international justice system, so, millions of Chinese in poverty will actually be able to get some protection. So, These two things I think are very important.. Therefore, with censorship the information is distorted. I have already mentioned that I believe that those people who make these types of false statements, they know they are not true. They told me that after the People's Daily” mentioned all kinds of accusations against me, and that there was not much response from the Chinese people, not even the intellectuals; This is a kind of negative expression towards your own newspaper. Alright, It doesn't matter.

NDTV: But the tragedy, these self-immolations Your Holiness, At first there was no clear indication. There was silence due to the feeling that this was also a cause that you strongly believed in then you condemned it., but the Chinese argument is that self-immolation goes completely against all Buddhist precepts. ¿How do you really see the people who have committed suicide in these self-immolations?? ¿He sees them as martyrs, they are real martyrs?

Dalai Lama: In the strict sense of the Buddhist point of view, ultimately, depends on the motivation. You have to analyze case by case, We cannot classify something as bad or good.. We can't say. It depends on individual motivation so we don't know.. Last year, When it first happened I was in Japan., and they told me that the time had come, that the Chinese government should conduct a thorough investigation, ¿what is the cause of these sad events? These events are a symptom of some cause. I feel very sad, for these people who have reached such a decision. It wasn't because I was drunk., nor due to family problems, but I think through the generations, two or three generations, who have really suffered a lot. So to be able to say something, I must have something to offer you, then i can say something, but I have nothing. I feel very sad and I can pray. I can't do anything else. The Chinese government can do more than just blame others, this is not going to solve the problem. So the time has come when a thorough investigation must begin, What are the causes of these events?. They need to think more seriously about these events.

NDTV: Ninety-five people, the number really is that big. ¿You could urge them not to do this? We have seen young women and monks do this, ¿I could urge you not to do this.?

Dalai Lama: Yes I have mentioned it before. This question is politically sensitive. Political leaders have expressed from the beginning, very clearly that we have never encouraged such acts to be carried out, but at the same time, If I had something to offer you, So I could tell them that they shouldn't do this.. We can do it this way, but we have nothing to offer them. People who can no longer endure a painful experience who ask doctors to please euthanize them. This is something very difficult.

NDTV: ¿Do you consider that this is a diplomatic issue and that countries like India, the USA. they should do more on this topic, that they should put more pressure on China? Because presumably the people who are killing themselves are frustrated, feeling that the Tibetan movement is going nowhere. ¿Do you think there should be more global pressure now and there should also be pressure from India?

Dalai Lama: Many countries are doing it publicly or behind the scenes.. Actually, this boundary problem is still there. India is our “Guru”” (maestro). Sometimes I tell my Indian audience that we are their “chela” (disciple). You are our “Guru”. When “chela”” have some problem, “Guru” also has more or less some responsibility. Regarding Indian Public Law from the beginning, I always remember Jai Prakash Narayan and Kripalani Acharya, These people really made the Tibet problem known.. So, all Indian leaders are showing us their concern. So, How much can India do?. That's a real question too.. There is a limitation. The United States also faces some type of limitation.

NDTV: Some questions to His Holiness from Mumbai.

Ask 5: Hi, I'm Tanya from St Xavier's.. Being a great world religious leader, I want to know ¿What are your thoughts about the spread of religious terrorism around the world??

Dalai Lama: It is clear that people in general lack moral principles, even people who claim to be followers of this religion or another religion. Judging by their actions I don't think these are serious believers..

NDTV: Islamic terrorism i.e., hindu fundamentalism…

Dalai Lama: Yeah, all religions like Christianity, El Islam, it's different. Hinduism, buddhism, jainism; everyone talks about compassion, the forgiveness, tolerance and everyone says brothers, sisters. So therefore these people not only today, but even in past history they used the name of the religion, but they carried out some violent method. Their objective is based on economics or political power so they simply use the name of the religion. They manipulate religion, so I can't accept these people who carry out violent activities within their own religion. I think they are essentially non-believers.. There is too much emotion. If you are a genuine believer in God or Buddha, then I must put compassion into practice, the forgiveness, the tolerance, then there will be no violence. Basically you can't blame these people. There is a lot of self-centered atmosphere. If they don't care about the rights of others, then compassion and forgiveness is nothing but talk. Sometimes, I tell people in public, unless we get very serious,  because otherwise religion will teach us the practice of hypocrisy, saying nice things but doing something different, this is totally wrong. Fundamentally these are the non-believers.

Ask 6: Hi, I'm from St Xavier's University., My question is a bit personal.. ¿I want to know if you have ever felt any kind of self-doubt., or whether your religious views have always been those you currently hold?

Dalai Lama: Buddha himself said 'oh my followers should not accept my word as an act of faith and devotion., but rather through in-depth research and experimentation', which is the scientific way of approach. So all the Nalanda teachers like Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, He finds, Chandrakirti, according to the Buddha's own words, They investigated whether the Buddha's statement is acceptable or not. So they have always been based on logic and experimentation, Therefore I follow that pattern., this tradition. For example, regarding Mount Meru, many Buddhists do not accept it.

NDTV: ¿Oh really?

Dalai Lama: Yeah, I hope so. I still intimidate Buddhists. So we have freedom and we have to accept reality. The world is round, now it is scientifically proven through calculation; It is through observation that we truly see that.. So the world is flat, in the center Mount Meru and the sun and the moon go like this. As a Buddhist you can't accept that.. Basically the fourth noble truth, truth and the concept of interdependence, the Sanskrit word “prasannapada”” It is very scientific, so more experience, more conversation with scientists or with non-believers. My belief in interdependence, What is “prasannapada”, increase my faith. Many scientists actually found that concept. Everything is interdependent and for its own causes and conditions. There is no creator of course.. However, religion that is based on the concept of a creator is also a wonder, It is very effective, very powerful; this approach is also very good. But the Buddhist approach and Jainism have a different way of approach..

NDTV: In addition to faith in Buddhist teaching, you were discovered, his reincarnation at the early age of 6 years, now has 76 years. you have seen the world. You describe yourself as a simple Buddhist monk, ¿Have you ever thought that maybe one day it would be something different or you might have seen something different, his life could have been different?

Dalai Lama: ¿in this life?

NDTV: in this life, In the last 70 years from 6 years of age at 76, He had some doubts about the path he is on.?

Dalai Lama: No. I think more interaction with people, including my best friend, with family, many problems.

NDTV: ¿It's easier this way, no wife?

Dalai Lama: No, when I saw my friend. ¡Too bad!

NDTV: ¿The fight?

Dalai Lama: The fight over global issues. That's ok, but problems due to small things, the path of celibate life is actually very good, I really believe that. Even in my dreams I am always reminded that I am a monk, I never felt in the dream I am the Dalai Lama. I always feel like I'm a Buddhist monk.

NDTV: His Holiness, you have been more than 50 years in India. ¿It has been Indianized? ¿Is there a particular type of food that you like?, some type of music in particular?

Dalai Lama: the dal (lentils, peas or beans) and the chapati (flour tortilla) indio. Actually, In recent years I have discovered myself as a son of India and on one occasion, some overseas people from the Chinese media came to see me. A Chinese man asked me a little seriously, ¿why you have mentioned some “Vaidya” (ayurvedic doctors)? He thought that for some political reason. So I replied: look at my thinking, my brain, all the cells of my brain are filled with the thought of Nalanda. That is ancient Indian thought, then my body in the last 50 years, has survived with Indian sandals, indian rice, indian chapati, therefore, mentally, and physically I belong to this country, so I call myself son of India.

NDTV: That is wonderful Your Holiness and tonight the last question from someone who I don't know if he knows., a famous Indian leader of business ethics, Mr. Narayana Murthy of Infosys. He has a question for you.

Narayana Murthy: Dalai Lama ji, my question for you is ¿How do you define success in life??

Dalai Lama: Seven billion human beings are social animals, so when we judge others as social animals, and we see an individual who is taking care of the rest of the community, we like this. An individual who is always fighting, makes us feel unhappy, although it is not part of it. Then, watching ourselves, we are social animals. Whatever way we are born on this planet, let us not cause serious problems or suffering.. Therefore, no matter how financially rich and educated we are, materialistic education and power create more problems for others, then your life is really a waste. If your life at least provides some advantage to others, some service like some Christian brothers, sisters, who have completely dedicated their lives to the well-being of others. Many spiritual believers, as well as non-believers who have truly dedicated their lives for the well-being of others. Your life is a meaningful life. So when their life comes to the end they feel happy, “oh I dedicated my life for the well-being of others, I have never created any enemies, nor any problem for others”. On the other hand, a billionaire will have an overly self-centered attitude., and will be intimidating and deceiving others, then at the end of his life as we already know, this money and power will no longer be useful to you. Then they regret it for the rest of their lives because they really created problems for others., They intimidated some and deceived others. then at the end, I think that person, Most likely, you will feel very unhappy and helpless.. So I consider that a lifetime dedicated to the well-being of others means satisfaction in life.. So you have to serve other people as much as possible. That is the right method to enrich life and make it a meaningful life..

NDTV: Your Holiness a wonderful message for him 2013, Thank you very much for joining us on the call.. Gracias.

Spanish translated by Lorena Wong.