The Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual leader, arrived in Toulouse in southwest France Friday to spread his teachings there, saying he was “happy” to be free of political tasks.
Lobsang Sangay, a 43-year-old Harvard scholar, took office on Monday as head of the Tibetan government in exile, taking over the role of prime minister from the 76-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
“Today I am just a spiritual person, I have no political responsibility,” the Dalai Lama said on his arrival in France, where he will, over the next few days, address people on “the meaning of human values” and promote religious harmony.
He stressed he had given up political power “voluntarily”, adding: “I’m very happy”.
He applauded progress made among Chinese “intellectuals [and] writers” which, he said, has boosted hopes of establishing improved relations between China and Tibet.
He also restated that Tibet’s political leadership was “not seeking separation” from Beijing.
Commitment to non-violence
In his speech after being sworn in as Tibet’s new prime minister in exile, Sangay stressed his commitment to the principle of non-violence and support for the Dalai Lama’s “middle-way” policy, which sought “meaningful autonomy” for Tibet under Chinese rule.
The Dalai Lama’s visit to Toulouse has a “pastoral” aim, his staff have said, and about 10 000 people have signed up to hear him speak.
There are believed to be about 800 000 practicing Buddhists in France.
The Dalai Lama will retain the significant role of Tibet’s spiritual leader and a major influence on policy-making decisions.
Future to be decided
The Dalai Lama warned China on Saturday it was up to his people to decide on his future role, days after a change at the head of the Tibetan government in exile.
“As early as 1959 I made it clear, officially,” that it was up to the Tibetan people to decide whether or not the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue, he said — referring to the year of the uprising against Chinese rule and his flight into exile in India.
“It seems for the time being concerned people, most of them, want to keep the institution,” he added.
The issue would again be dealt with by a meeting of Buddhist officials in September, he said at a press briefing, adding that there was “no hurry”.
Butt out
The Dalai Lama warned communist authorities in Beijing against meddling with issues of his reincarnation.
“About my reincarnation, I have the only right to decide, and no one [else] has the authority to decide about that,” he said. Reincarnation is believed by some religions to occur when the soul or spirit come back to life in a new form after death.
“Today communist China considers religion is a poison and they consider me as a demon. So, I would be a demon reincarnation. This is nonsense,” he said, adding: “So the Chinese communists should accept rebirth.”
Record numbers
Organisers said that when the Dalai Lama came to Toulouse in 1982 he drew a crowd of 500 but 2 500 attended a meeting 11 years later. More than 7 000 cheered his arrival on Saturday, a record number for this kind of conference in this south-western French city.
Speaking in English from a throne, he cautioned his followers sitting cross-legged on the stage of an entertainment centre to react with scepticism to any teaching and never to accept teachings literally.
Referring to the upheaval in the Arab world he said that democracy and freedom were on all peoples’ mind as they were the only possible way to govern.
An organiser of the meeting said it was the seventh in France since 1991, with 85% of attendants coming from France and 24% from the region around Toulouse. — AFP