His Holiness the Dalai Lama begins teachings in France

Toulouse, France, 13 August 2011 - This morning before leaving the hotel, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was interviewed by former NetherlandsMP Ms Erica Terpstra of Dutch Television, Nederland 1.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama before the start of his teachings in Toulouse, France, on 13 August 2011. Photo/Alexandra Silva

During the lunch-break, His Holiness received a group of journalists and media representatives. It was a lively exchange in which a number ofissues were discussed.

His Holiness was asked about his recent decision to hand over complete political power. In response he mentioned his life-long fascination with democracy. He said that in his youth he was keenly aware that the traditional political system in Tibet was antiquated and in need of reform. On the other hand, from the beginning of his exile inIndia, His Holiness was keen to inaugurate the democratic process amongthe Tibetans in exile. He remarked that, back in 1954, he attended the National People’s Congress in China. There he noticed that during the many meetings, the communist leaders gave very long speeches to audiences which included members of the Chinese intelligentsia. The delegates were mostly silent. There was no interchange or debate, and very little feeling of enthusiasm. By contrast, when His Holiness visited the Indian Parliament in 1956, he was amazed and fascinated by the freedom and fearlessness with which the Indian MPs expressed their ideas and engaged in debate.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama meets with journalists during a break in the teachings in Toulouse, France, on13 August 2011. Photo/Alexandra Silva

His Holiness also remarked that he had always believed in the principle of the separation of the political and religious powers, but as long as these were both vested in himself, he always felt a little hypocritical when expressing his belief. Now that he has withdrawn from the political leadership, he said, he feels more at ease. When asked about his moral authority, His Holiness said that this is largely a matter of trust that others put in him and there is no question of his retirement in this sense.

On the question of his reincarnation, His Holiness replied that he had made it clear publicly and officially as early as 1969, that the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama depended on the wishesof the people. His Holiness said that he had raised this question himself at earlier meetings with Tibetan religious leaders and will again raise the matter in a similar meeting planned for September.

“But it is quite clear,” His Holiness said, “that I alone have the right to decide on the issue of my reincarnation.”

Referring to the Chinese interest in his reincarnation, His Holiness said that, in the past, on two occasions the Chinese emperor had some involvement in the selection of the Dalai Lamas and, in these two cases,this was because the Chinese Emperor of that time had been a Buddhist believer and a disciple of the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama. Now, however, the Chinese Communist Leaders consider that religion is poison and that the Dalai Lama is a demon. What interest could they have, His Holiness asked, in their recognizing the incarnation of a demon? “I feel,” he said, “that if the Chinese leaders were serious about the recognition of incarnations, then they should first believe in the theory of rebirth and start by finding the incarnations of Mao and Deng!”

On the question of religious harmony, His Holiness said that it is important for the different traditions to have the kind of respect for each other that can only come from mutual understanding. His Holiness expressed his appreciation of the meeting of world religious leaders at Assisi, called by the late Pope John Paul II.

The teaching was attended by over 7000 people from more than twenty different countries. His Holiness will continue teaching on the same text tomorrow.