His Holiness XIV Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso
CULTIVATING PEACE AS AN ANTIDOTE TO VIOLENCE
Washington National Cathedral September 11, 2003
I am deeply humbled and also honored to have this opportunity to share some
of my thoughts in this very august and sacred cathedral where all of us have
gathered together to share a platform to pray for peace. To remember the many
victims who suffered unimaginable tragedy two years ago in NY, Washington and
Pennsylvania.
Participation in this interfaith prayer will be in one sense a joy for all of
us in that it has provided a forum for people of different religions to come
together to pray for a united purpose, but at the same time, it is also an occasion
to remember the unimaginable tragedy that occurred on this soil two years ago.
It is also a source of sadness.
However I believe as presented by a 7th century Buddhist master who wrote the following: "If the problem is such that there is a solution, there is no need to worry about it; if there is no solution, then there is not point in being paralyzed. Someone who takes these words to heart: Believe that tragedies that people have suffered, believe that they are historical events - not to be upset, demoralized and paralyzed by the event. Rather to remember the event and try to utilize (the event) toward a kind of spiritualized opportunity - a spiritual opportunity for personal and spiritual growth and forgiveness.
The moral responsibilities that fall on our shoulders are two fold. One is to pray for the victims of the tragedy, especially the family members and loved ones and show them solidarity and share in their pain. The second is to ensure on the part of each and every one of us at the individual level that nothing like this ever happens in the future.
In my view, I think there are two levels to take as preventive measures. One certainly - leaders, governments and others have been taking certain measures. At another level, I believe all these tragic human actions come from a certain motivation. Such unbelievable tragedy happens because of hatred and jealousy - immensely destructive emotions. So in life we must promote positive actions. We must make promote positive emotions. Similarly, to prevent negative actions, destructive actions, we should make efforts to reduce, or if possible, eliminate, these negatively inflicted emotions. Here, each of us, I think, has some way to make a contribution. So basically I believe the promotion of compassion, forgiveness and contentment, self-discipline - these things I feel are the most important matter of preventive measures for all of us.
So, firstly, through education. And also through parents kindness towards children. In that way you cultivate kindness in the minds of children. I noticed in New York City, I was told, unlike previous times, there was much more peace. Looking at the situation, I think people really now believe in helping each other, having compassion toward one another. This is the best way to reduce anxiety and problems. I think this is a good sign, a sign of progress. When I heard this, I said "Really that is really a sign of hope." So through education, certainly, we can promote these good qualities of humans.
Then second, the various different religious traditions, in spite of different philosophies, all have the same message of love, compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment, and self-discipline. Therefore all have the same potential to help humanity through promotion of these basic human values. I think these tragic events, in some cases, come from religious narrow mindedness. Even me! - I think, in the long run, this may be very useful in the promotion of human values and reduce this sectarian violence.
And perhaps, whether appropriate or not, I feel like I would like to take a moment of freedom of speech. So I would like to express one thing --All the major religious traditions have the same potential. All are talking these good things. At the same time, in all the religious traditions there are some mischievous people. Always happens, always there. So, therefore, sometimes some people will get the impression there is some sort of terrorist activities involving Muslims. So then some people get the impression that the Muslim religion is more militant, more violent. I think that is a mistake. My friends who are Muslims. They are very compassionate. Very generous, very nice.
So
when I had some discussions with my friends they told me very clearly, anyone
who creates pain, harm on others, are not Muslims. Therefore it is not right
to blame one tradition as a whole. Finally they told me very clearly -- anyone
who creates pain and harm in another is not a Muslim. (For) their behavior,
then, it is not right to blame one tradition as a whole.
Then finally I would like to take this opportunity (to share) one of my fundamental
beliefs. Once we accept religion, we should be serious, be very sincere. Sometimes
we take religion almost like ornaments.
I think these parts of religion are very useful -- love, brotherhood, sisterhood. It should be part of our life, part of ourselves. So, in day and night, even in dreams, if you seriously take this message--- when negative emotion are about to come, even in dream, make an effort. You can, with effort, release them.
So, (take) for example, the practice of contentment. When you go shopping, your unlimited greed comes. Or your neighbor having a new car, a new television, you may feel a little jealousy. At such a moment, remember (if you are a Christian) remember God, his message of contentment, message of sense of brotherhood, compassion, love, then these negative motions ultimately can be reduced. Then when you face your enemy or someone who usually irritates you, at that very moment, remember that that person is also a creation of God. And also, remember the image of God. Ultimately, the intensity of negative feelings will loosen. That is a way of practice, not just when in a cathedral, but when we are also on the outside of it.
So through practice we can increase mindfulness. I am not such a good practitioner, but a beginning practitioner. But in my dream, whenever I come across some negative things, like fighting, some attachment like sexuality, then at that moment in the dream, I immediately remember I am Buddhist monk. I should not. [laughter] So it is useful.
I
think (for) a good Christian, a good Muslim, a good Jew. When we are really
serious about this. All these things carry a good message. If we are not very
sincere, very serious, then I think (it is) better to say, I am not a religious
person. Then you have more freedom, or whatever you have. Then I think the meaning
of self -discipline, resisting by volunteering. Not imposing something from
others. Actually, discipline, like rejecting for your own long-term greater
interest. Just like a sick person. Even if a person wants something to eat or
to drink, then immediately would have some trouble, (he) should not eat that.
Discipline out of ones own interest. Sometimes people get the impression that
(everyone should take being religious] very seriously. That is wrong. Whether
we accept religion or not is up to the individual.
Our freedom -once we accept religion, we should practice (it) sincerely. This
will have benefits. A positive effect.
Once you gain some experience, inner spiritual experience, then that person can much easier appreciate the value of other traditions, not just other different philosophies, but all parts of their religion because of our own spiritual experience you can see the great potential of the other traditions. That is very helpful for respect.
I am a Buddhist. Sometimes I describe me and say I am a staunch Buddhist because I can see the value of other traditions. So that's all, thank you!
Call for Support for the Initiative Pro UNCOPAC
For additional information you can email Reiner at: r.steinweg@web.de
After many months of work, an Austrian-German working group produced a draft
Statute for a United Nations Commission on Peace and Crisis Prevention (UNCOPAC),
based on earlier separately published proposals. The Statute defines the duties
of this new body as follows:
"For the promotion of world peace and international security, UNCOPAC will take preventive action in advance of potentially violent conflicts. It will initiate and promote measures for the further development of crisis prevention and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. It will support steps towards the worldwide strengthening of peace work, peace education and peace research, and will coordinate them at international level."
UNCOPAC, supported by experts, should have the right to make recommendations for timely non-military preventive measures to the UN General Assembly, Secretary-General and Security Council. To this end, institutionalized response mechanisms would be established with existing early-warning institutions and projects. The Statute describes in detail how such a subsidiary organization of the General Assembly would function and the resources needed for its work. UNCOPAC should represent all five UN regions and reflect the principle of gender balance (with at least 40 percent of women or men). Its 20 members should be elected by the United Nations General Assembly, with candidates being nominated by accredited non-government organizations. The candidates should not represent the NGOs but be highly respected individuals from public life. The NGOs should have the right to make proposals to UNCOPAC concerning crisis areas in which they are active, and they can be consulted by the Commission, which will also report regularly in writing and orally about its decisions and experiences.
The Initiative Pro UNCOPAC has been formed to stimulate political debate and lobby for the implementation of these proposals (e-mail: koordination@pro-uncopac.info). For the text of the Statute, explanatory materials and further information, please visit our website: www.pro-uncopac.info.
This
initiative needs your support ! If everyone who publicly supports this proposal
contributes about 50 euros, we can launch an international campaign
Please post, fax or mail to: Initiative Pro UNCOPAC ¡ Am Glockenberg
8b ¡ 45134 Essen ¡ Tel./Fax 0049 201 2696730 koordination@pro-uncopac.info