[PDF]The Political Phiosophy Of His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama A A Shiromani

Editor

A.Ao S Sworn any




The future of Tibet at the moment
appears something like a dream.
My wish or my idea, my vision, is
that Tibet should be a zone of
peace completely free from any
weapon, any military hardware.

I think in Tibet the nature and the
environment are quite peaceful...
That does not mean Tibetans
never fight. Of course as human
beings sometimes they quarrel
among themselves, but generally
speaking they are peaceful by
nature. They are a peace-loving
nation. So the concept of a zone
of peace or sanctuary is very
appropriate for Tibet. That is not
only going to benefit Tibetan
people but will also benefit China
and India.

-The Dalai Lama



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The gallant Tibetans gladly mount
the gallows undeterred and make
the ultimate and supreme
sacrifice at the altar of the nation.
The annals of Tibetan struggle are
replete with the heroic tales of
ordinary mortals having attained
immortality during their fight for
freedom and faith.

- Editor









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The Polifical Philosophy
of His Holiness fhe XIV Dalai Lama

Selected Speeches and Writings


Editor

A.A. Shiromany



faosKtl

Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre

New Delhi


Published by

Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre
C-l/1267, Vasanj Kunj, New Delhi-110070


First Published 1998

© Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre
and Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung
ISBN 81-86230-20-3


No part of the material protected by this copyright notice may be
reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical including photo-copying, recording or by any
information storage and retrieval system, without the written
permission from the copyright owner


Printed at Archana, Ph. : 431-1992, 432-2834









The Political Philosophy
of His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama








Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung

and

The Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre

The Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung (FNSt) established in 1958 is a
non-profit organisation for public benefit. It promotes the liberal principle
of Freedom in Human Dignity in all sectors of society, both nationally as
well as internationally, in developed as well as developing countries.

The Foundation is active in more than 75 countries. In the South
Asian Region comprising the SAARC countries the Foundation's work
encompasses projects concerned with support for economic liberalisation;
fostering regional economic cooperation in South Asia; promotion of
civic and human rights and the rule of law; and environmental protection.
All these activities are carried out in co-operation with local, national
and international NGOs, the emphasis being on self-reliance and the
setting up of democratic institutions.

Friedrich Naumann Stiftung in partnership with the Assembly of
Tibetan People's Deputies has set up the Tibetan Parliamentary and
Policy Research Centre (TPPRC) with the purpose of strengthening the
Tibetan diaspora in building a healthy democratic working ethos. The
objective is to prepare the Tibetans in exile for the assumption of
responsibilities that would respond to their hopes and aspirations through
a framework of legislative, executive and judicial institutions based on
the concept of the Tibetan polity guided by Saddharm a and with a view
to generating human values and considerations based on man's free
will, equality, justice and non-violence. There is also the standing need to
constantly remind the Tibetan diaspora of their national identity, culture
and heritage and the global community of Tibet's unique contribution to
the world of thought and culture.

Established in 1994, the Centre has already reached a very
representative section of Tibetans residing in India and Nepal,
encouraging them to get actively involved in their new democratic
institutions and helping their leadership to formulate a vision for the
future. Moreover, the Centre has a sound back-up programme of
publications to disseminate information to build up national and
international public opinion for the fulfilment of a just cause.





Publisher's Note


The Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre (TPPRC) is
honoured to present The Political Philosophy of His Holiness the XIV Dalai
Lama : Selected Speeches and Writings. This is the third volume in a
series devoted to the speeches and writings of His Holiness, the spiritual
and political leader of Tibet.

The first two volumes, The Spirit of Tibet: Universal Heritage and The
Spirit of Tibet: Vision for Human Liberation, were published by the Tibetan
Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre in 1995 and 1996. These two
volumes contained the thoughts of His Holiness on a wide variety of
topics ranging from meditation to environment and ecology; from the
education of Tibetans to the democratisation of Tibet's polity and Sino-
Tibet relations.

In 1997, the TPPRC decided to devote a publication, solely to the
political philosophy of His Holiness' - a philosophy, which has formed
the basis not only of his understanding and engagement with the Tibetan
question but also with global issues. This philosophy has, for the last four
decades, been an important guiding and inspirational force for Tibetans,
and indeed for all freedom-loving and peace-loving people and nations
of the world.

Most of the speeches in the present volume have been previously
published in Tibetan Government publications and news bulletins. The
speeches delivered by His Holiness at international gatherings, his
interviews to the Press, and his statements on the Anniversary of the
National Uprising Day on March 10 were available to us in English.


vi + Publisher's Note


However, most of his addresses to the exiled Tibetan community,
particularly to the members of the Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies
were originally in Tibetan and have been translated into English. In
order to avoid repetition and to present the essential thoughts of His
Holiness, some of these presentations have been edited. In these
addresses, His Holiness conveys his message of peace, non-violence,
forgiveness and compassion, in a series of wide-ranging discussions on
matters affecting the Tibetan people and the international community.
His Holiness also speaks about the interdependence of nations around
the world. His philosophy is founded on the concepts of individual,
collective and universal responsibility and respect for all sentient beings.

In this volume, we have organised His Holiness' speeches, writings
and interviews in four main parts. Part I presents the speeches delivered
by His Holiness during his world tours (covering more than 40 nations)
including the United States of America, Australia, South Africa, Lithuania
and Israel. In these gatherings of world leaders, parliamentarians,
university students and human rights groups and environmental groups,
His Holiness has consistently propounded his message of kindness, non¬
violence and compassion.

His Holiness' Middle-way approach to the Tibetan question is a
constructive and forward-looking proposal for the solution of the Tibetan
issue. Despite the enormous suffering and disappointment faced by
Tibetans, in his speeches His Holiness continues to call upon governments
and nations to address the Tibetan political question in a spirit of
reconciliation and healing.

Part I also contains His Holiness' message to India and the Indian
people, detailing the centuries-old religious and cultural relationship
between India and Tibet. In a speech given in 1956, he recounts how
learned scholars such as Pandit Lha Rigba Sengge, Acharya Shantirakshita,
Padma Sambhava, Bimala Mitra, Jina Mitra, Ratna Budhi, etc. had taught
the Tibetans Sanskrit grammar and literature, and how in the seventh




Publisher's Note 4-vii


century, Thonmi Sambhota invented the Tibetan script, based on the
Nagari and Sharda scripts of India. In his address to the overseas and
other Chinese, he has consistently spoken of the need for the genuine
understanding of each other's concerns and his firm belief that through
commitment to the values of non-violence, the Tibetans and the Chinese
can in future live peacefully and harmoniously.

Part II presents the spontaneous and frank answers of His Holiness
to questions posed by the world media. Here he clearly elucidates his
commitment to non-violence, love and compassion, in the face of the
continuing transfer of Chinese into Tibet, the degradation of Tibet's
environment and traditional economy, the nuclearisation and militarisation
of Tibet and the violation of the fundamental rights of Tibetans in Tibet.
The interviews are also a response to the-then widespread media concern
over the demonstrations that broke out in Lhasa in September 1987 and
thereafter. In these interviews His Holiness also elaborates on his Five-
Point Peace Plan and the Strasbourg Proposal.

In Part III His Holiness speaks from the heart to the Tibetan people
about his reasons for choosing the non-violent path in our struggle to
regain our country. We also get a detailed vision statement of His Holiness
firm determination and will to democratise Tibet, and the role His Holiness
continues to play in fostering a democratic system in the Tibetan
community in exile. His conviction that it is the Tibetan people who must
eventually decide the Tibetan question, underlines his commitment to
democracy. Through his active counsel and his realistic and pragmatic
approach, His Holiness continues to inspire and empower the Tibetans
— embodying both the hope and the survival of the Tibetan people. He
continues to be the principal force for the preservation of Tibetan culture
and values, and has in recent years constantly spoken to the Tibetan
people of the urgent need to preserve and promote the values of honesty,
compassion, altruism, justice, equality, truth, human dignity and love.


viii + Publisher's Note


Part IV contains all the Statements His Holiness had made since
1961, to commemorate the Tibetan National Uprising Day on March
10. His annual messages on this occasion have been deeply inspiring
and have mobilised the six million Tibetan people and the international
community over the issue of Tibet. Through the March 10 messages, His
Holiness stresses his commitment to finding a solution for the future of
Tibet, keeping alive the Tibetans' hope of returning to a free Tibet. His
hope and determination to gain justice by following the principles of
non-violence, compassion and love, continue to be a source of inspiration
for the Tibetan people. These statements clearly bring out the events that
have had an impact on the Tibetan movement—the destruction of Tibetan
culture; the suffering of the Tibetan people; the violation of the
fundamental rights of Tibetans. In addition, we see that a remarkable
spirit of realism and pragmatism guides the policy of His Holiness' and
the Tibetan government-in-exile regarding the future of Tibet. The
statements are also a reminder of the generosity of the people and
governments of India, Nepal and other countries, who have for over
thirty-eight years hosted over 130,000 Tibetan people. Included in the
Addenda, are His Holiness' new initiatives for the democratisation of the
Tibetan community, as well as his statement during his recent visit to the
United States of America.

The Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre hopes that
this book will portray the contributions of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,
not only as the leader who embodies and personifies the tragedy of
Tibet, but also internationally recognised as a statesman of high moral
repute. For instance, the Norwegian Nobel Committee stated in the
citation, while awarding the 1989 Peace Prize to His Holiness "in his
struggle for the liberation of Tibet consistently opposed the use of violence

. an< ^ developed a philosophy of peace with a great reverence for

all things living and upon the concept of universal responsibility embracing



Publisher's Note + ix


all mankind as well as nature." We also hope that through this volume,
the reader will get a comprehensive and clear idea of the tragedy of
Tibet.

The Chinese Government has unfortunately not responded to the
numerous attempts His Holiness has made since 1979, to establish direct
contacts with the Chinese leadership and reach a negotiated and peaceful
settlement to the Tibetan question. Moreover, in the years since 1994,
there has been an escalation of repression in Tibet — from the re¬
education campaigns in monasteries and nunneries, to the ban on the
display of photographs of His Holiness. The transfer of Chinese settlers
into Tibet is a real threat to the survival of the Tibetan nation — its culture
and identity. The result of the demographic invasion has been the erosion
of Tibetan culture, language, and values, which have been in existence
for centuries. Coupled with this, the coercive 'family planning' policies of
the Chinese point to a systematic effort to reduce the Tibetan population
and relegate Tibetans to a minority in their own country.

On the occasion of the recent celebrations of the 50th Anniversary
of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we renew
our hope that a political and long-lasting settlement to the Tibetan issue
can be found. The problem of Tibet is a political problem and mus
therefore have a political solution. And a just political solution in Tibe
would have great geopolitical significance, not only for its immedi

neighbours, but also for the rest of the world.

The Tibetan Parliamentary and Policy Research Centre wis es o
express its sincere thanks to Professor Rajni Kothari for writing the Fore
to this volume. We appreciate Mr. A.A. Shiromany s efforts
compilation of this very important and relevant publication. We a
to place on record our gratitude to the Friedrich Naumann Foun '
particularly Herr H. von Welck and Ms. Rebon Banerjee, fort e
assistance and valuable comments on the numerous


x + Publisher's Note


publication. I also deeply appreciate the dedication and the tireless effort
that Mrs. Tsering Tsomo, Executive Director of the TPPRC has devoted to
this publication.

Above all, we owe our most humble gratitude to His Holiness the
Fourteenth Dalai Lama for his great understanding, vision and insight,
and for leading the Tibetan people through this troubled and difficult
period of our history.

To sum up: The political philosophy of His Holiness is deeply rooted
in the Buddhist world-view of culture, which is based on reality, truth, and
the principle of interdependence (of cause and effect). The philosophical
combination of the ultimate essential 'voidness' of all phenomena, and
of their outer existence in interdependent nature, leads to the principle of
total non-violence under all circumstances. The idea of resisting violence
and injustice through love and compassion arises from His Holiness'
deep sense of 'universal responsibility', something that is not merely a
philosophical tenet but a practical method for ordinary people to put into
practice the highest teachings of the Buddha, even when confronted by
the most adverse circumstances. Thus, truth, non- violence and democracy
emerge as cardinal principles of His Holiness' ideal polity, while the tenet
of universal responsibility' is a unique commentary upon, as well as a
practical experiment of, the union in Mahayana philosophy of wisdom
and method.

We dedicate this book to the continued courage, determination and
sacrifice of the people of Tibet.


Sarnath, Varanasi
December 10, 1998


S. RINPOCHE
Chairman


Foreword


The decision to bring out a volume on the political philosophy of His
Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama pleases me to no end. As the world we
live in is fast moving into a period of extreme uncertainty and growing
ambivalence, and as the 20th Century which was marked by a uncanny
combination of scientific achievement and the realisation of "freedom"
and "self-determination" by millions of people on the one hand and the
outbreak of so much human suffering, violence and repression in national
and international arena on the other, the time has come for not confining
political philosophy to academic high towers and turn to the thinking
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