The Dalai Lama tells a Newport audience that world

peace is achievable

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Providence Journal

Friday, November 18, 2005

BY RICHARD SALIT

Journal Staff Writer

NEWPORT -- A thin, bald, elderly man who spoke in stilted English kept the

rapt attention of an audience of nearly 4,000 people yesterday with a

message as simple as the burgundy and gold robe he wore: Compassion can

bring personal happiness and world peace.

But this was no ordinary speaker. It was the Dalai Lama, making a rare

appearance in Rhode Island at a sold-out event at Salve Regina University.

The exiled Tibetan leader, with arms exposed and nothing warm on, looked

perfectly relaxed and comfortable beneath a tent by the sea on a brisk,

breezy day. His hour-long talk, cheerful demeanor and amusing gestures drew

loud applause and quite a few laughs from an audience of Salve students,

faculty and staff and others fortunate enough to get their hands on the

limited number of tickets made available to the public.

"It was moving. He's an honest genuine soul," said Dan Rakosky, 44. "I think

the message he sends to all these kids is important: Replace anger with

compassion."

One of those students, senior Laura Ouimette, said, "I thought it was very

inspirational. He tries very peacefully to solve problems . . . Now it makes

me want to read more about him."

The 70-year-old Buddhist monk, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for his

steadfast nonviolent campaign to free Tibet of Chinese tyranny, visited

Newport on the last day of a trip to the United States. He spent the

previous 10 days in Washington, D.C.

The 14th Dalai Lama, also known as Tenzin Gyatso, flew into Quonset State

Airport aboard a corporate jet belonging to Carnegie Abbey resort owner and

Newport resident J. Brian O'Neill. Local police officers in cruisers and on

motorcycles, joined federal agents in SUVs, in escorting the Dalai Lama,

with sirens wailing, into Newport. It was the beginning of a visit with

tight and highly visible security.

The first stop was the campus home of Salve President Sister M. Therese

Antone. Two area women who weren't able to get tickets for the talk, arrived

while the Dalai Lama was inside having lunch. They stood at the end of the

driveway with Buddhist katas, smooth ceremonial scarves, draped over their

arms and holding their hands together in front of them.

"I just think he is really an extraordinary human being," said Linda Heuman,

of Providence, who has lived in Dharmasala, India, where the Dalai Lama's

exiled government is located. "I am honored to catch even a glimpse of him."

When a federal agent approached them, Heuman said, "We're just here for a

blessing."

In fact, when the Dalai Lama's Chevrolet Suburban passed by, he acknowledged

the women, bowing his head and holding his hands together.

"A blessing," said Heuman, "a lifetime blessing."

The Dalai Lama next went to the university's Pell Center for International

Relations and Public Policy to visit privately with his longtime supporters,

former Sen. Claiborne Pell and his wife, Nuala. Then the entire entourage

arrived at Ochre Court, the mansion that serves as the school's

administration building.

The audience, having gone through metal detectors, was already seated in the

40-foot high, 260-foot long tent overlooking Easton's Bay. The long lines

had died down at the portable restrooms, which were being supervised by

Robert Gilman. The 49-year-old Newport man, unable to get his hands on a

ticket, had actually volunteered to do the job for a friend's company simply

to see the Dalai Lama. In the back pocket of his jeans was a paperback copy

of Ethics for a New Millennium, a book by the Dalai Lama.

"He promotes peace. It's thrilling for me to see someone genuine," said

Gilman. "I'm not a Buddhist, but I love the philosophies. I just want to

hear what he says."

The serene musical sounds of bells and string instruments played over the

loudspeakers as the Dalai Lama entered the tent, surrounded by federal

agents. He slowly made his way down the aisle, shaking hands with the crowd.

He sat down in a red velvet, tall-backed chair on the stage, opposite the

Pells, who were in the front row, near Governor Carcieri and his wife. The

Dalai Lama recognized the loud applause, bowing his head and holding his

hands together.

During his talk, he outlined the steps that can lead humanity to peace. It

begins with each person being more compassionate.

"Once a more compassionate attitude develops," he said, "then it's very easy

to communicate with others."

Once the "inner self"' becomes more sensitive and compassionate, then "inner

peace" will follow. Inner peace will spread to families and then, he said,

"the whole community becomes more passionate." As this attitude spreads, so,

too, will peace.

"World peace will be achieved through inner peace," he said. Gazing out at

the many youths in the audience, he said he saw brightness on their faces

and proclaimed, "You are the generation that is shaping a whole new world, a

friendly compassionate one."

Sister Antone noted that the day was the 55th anniversary of the Dalai

Lama's being enthroned as the religious leader of Tibet, nine years before

he would be forced to flee invading Chinese troops. She presented him with

the first ever Pell Center peace award. Then, following Buddhist custom,

they each donned scarves, held each other's arms and touched foreheads.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Delegates from 30 Countries will Welcome Dalai Lama

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Herald

Friday, November 18, 2005

The Dalai Lama, leader of the Tibetan people, will be the guest of honour

later this week in Edinburgh at the World Parliamentarians' Convention on

Tibet.

Last night at a reception at the Scottish Parliament Chris Ballance, the

Green Party MSP, welcomed 130 delegates from 30 countries to the two-day

event.

It is expected the convention will discuss the Scottish form of devolution

as a potential model to help resolve the conflict between the Tibetan and

Chinese peoples.

Mr Ballance, convener of the parliament's cross-party group on Tibet, said

Scottish devolution was not perfect but "was a start". He added: "It

demonstrates that a nation may have cultural autonomy and self-government

within a wider context."The MSP said the Dalai Lama provided spiritual

leadership on peace and justice across the world.

He added: "All of us are here because we have been touched by the sufferings

of the Tibetan people, the abuses of human rights, the lack of religious

freedom, and the environmental crimes and cultural genocide committed by the

Chinese. "It is our duty as parliamentarians to put justice, peace and

compassion into practice because that is what our peoples want."

The convention will conclude with a declaration which is expected to stress

the desire of the Tibetan people to negotiate a devolved settlement with

China.

The Dalai Lama, leader of the Tibetan people, will be the guest of honour

later this week in Edinburgh at the World Parliamentarians' Convention on

Tibet.

Last night at a reception at the Scottish Parliament Chris Ballance, the

Green Party MSP, welcomed 130 delegates from 30 countries to the two-day

event.

It is expected the convention will discuss the Scottish form of devolution

as a potential model to help resolve the conflict between the Tibetan and

Chinese peoples.

Mr Ballance, convener of the parliament's cross-party group on Tibet, said

Scottish devolution was not perfect but "was a start". He added: "It

demonstrates that a nation may have cultural autonomy and self-government

within a wider context."

The MSP said the Dalai Lama provided spiritual leadership on peace and

justice across the world.

He added: "All of us are here because we have been touched by the sufferings

of the Tibetan people, the abuses of human rights, the lack of religious

freedom, and the environmental crimes and cultural genocide committed by the

Chinese.

"It is our duty as parliamentarians to put justice, peace and compassion

into practice because that is what our peoples want." The convention will

conclude with a declaration which is expected to stress the desire of the

Tibetan people to negotiate a devolved settlement with China.

The Dalai Lama, leader of the Tibetan people, will be the guest of honour

later this week in Edinburgh at the World Parliamentarians' Convention on

Tibet.

Last night at a reception at the Scottish Parliament Chris Ballance, the

Green Party MSP, welcomed 130 delegates from 30 countries to the two-day

event.

It is expected the convention will discuss the Scottish form of devolution

as a potential model to help resolve the conflict between the Tibetan and

Chinese peoples.

Mr Ballance, convener of the parliament's cross-party group on Tibet, said

Scottish devolution was not perfect but "was a start". He added: "It

demonstrates that a nation may have cultural autonomy and self-government

within a wider context."

The MSP said the Dalai Lama provided spiritual leadership on peace and

justice across the world.

He added: "All of us are here because we have been touched by the sufferings

of the Tibetan people, the abuses of human rights, the lack of religious

freedom, and the environmental crimes and cultural genocide committed by the

Chinese.

"It is our duty as parliamentarians to put justice, peace and compassion

into practice because that is what our peoples want."

The convention will conclude with a declaration which is expected to stress

the desire of the Tibetan people to negotiate a devolved settlement with

China.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dalai Lama praises Parliament

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Press Association

Fri 18 Nov 2005

The Dalai Lama hailed the Scottish Parliament as he arrived in the UK for a

conference aiming to help give Tibet more control over its own future.

He praised the devolved powers of the Scottish Parliament as a model which

could be used to help give autonomy to Tibet.

The exiled Buddhist leader will speak at the fourth World Parliamentarians

Convention on Tibet during a two-day visit to the Scottish capital.

Tibet is governed as an autonomous region of China but many Tibetans have

pledged their allegiance to the Dalai Lama, seen by some Chinese as a

threat.

Speaking as he arrived at Edinburgh Airport, the Dalai Lama said: "I think

the Chinese Government's main priority is stability, unity and prosperity.

"We feel that our approach, meaningful autonomy I think provides more

satisfaction to Tibetan people.

"As a result, stability and unity and prosperity then become more

meaningful."

He added: "Up to now the stability and unity are just superficial, under

force or under gun.

"The stability and unity must come from the heart."

The Dalai Lama praised the "high degree of autonomy"" enjoyed by Scots and

said Tibet was trying to find a similar way forward within the framework of

the Chinese constitution.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Tibet to benefit economically within China: Dalai Lama

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Washington, Nov 14 (AFP) - The Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, said that the

Himalayan kingdom should remain within China for the sake of the territory's economic development.

But the 70-year-old leader said the Tibetan people themselves would have to determine their future

if China continued to deny them "meaningful" autonomy.

"If Chinese government provides us meaningful autonomy, self law, then it is in our own interest

to remain within the People's Republic of China," said the Dalai Lama, who has lived in India

since he fled Chinese troops in 1959, basing his government-in-exile in the northern Indian

hilltop town of Dharamsala.

"As far as economic development is concerned, we'll get immense benefit" if Tibet remained as part

of China, he told a 16,000 strong gathering in Washington, where he is on 10-day visit that

included talks with US President George W. Bush.

"Tibet is economically backward although spiritually highly advanced. But spiritual (strength)

alone cannot fill our stomach. So we need economic development," the Dalai Lama said.

"If this approach should fail, then of course it is up to the Tibetan people -- I'm going to ask

the Tibetan people what to do," the Dalai Lama.

Beijing formally established a Tibetan Autonomous Region in 1965 but the Dalai Lama has said there

is no genuine autonomy and has been waging a non-violent campaign to press China to provide

greater rights for his six million people.

China sees its occupation of Tibet since 1950 as a liberation of the region that has saved the

Tibetan people from feudal oppression.

The Dalai Lama, a Nobel Laureatte, said that "ultimately the Tibetan people -- not me -- would

decide."

A random survey in Tibet several years ago showed the people wanted to remain within China but

demanded genuine autonomy, he said.

The gathering on Sunday included hundreds of Himalayan, Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhists who came

to the US capital to belatedly mark the Dalai Lama's 70th birthday on July 6.