Dalai Lama, the dangerous
article_imageBy Dr Upul Wijayawardhana-April 9, 2015, 8:48 pm

As far as Cosmology is concerned, Big Bang theory is in keeping with Buddhist teaching where it is stated that there have been multiple Big Bangs; worlds appear and disappear. In Neurobiology, the Buddhist concepts of mind and thoughts have contributed to a better understanding. In Quantum Physics, the Buddhist concept of interdependency, nothing exists by itself, is well expressed. In Psychology, compared to Eastern and Buddhist Psychology, Western Psychology is like a kindergarten and Psychologists are keen to learn from Buddhist Psychology and adopt Buddhist practices like meditation in treatment.

"Dalai Lama is not the leader of the Buddhists of the world, he is only the leader of one of the sects": Many a time, in the past, I have jumped up to say this to correct my non-Buddhist friends but, of late, I have been reluctant to do so as, on reflection and study, I wish he actually is. I cannot think of anyone who is more qualified than His Holiness to occupy this exalted position,if ever such a position is established, which he has earned by service of a lifetime dedicated to spreading peace, compassion and, more important than anything else, enlightenment around a world that is increasingly becoming intolerant and ignorant by religious extremism. I know, not everyone will agree with me, not even most Buddhists as they would rather prefer leaders of their own sects than crown the leader of the smallest of the three major sects of Buddhism. Certainly not the Chinese Government which, to date, considers him a dangerous separatist, so much so that they pressurise friendly states to deny visas, even when fellow Buddhists or other leaders invite him to visit.

It is no secret that the Chinese Government was very unhappy when President Obama met the Dalai Lama at a White House National Prayer Breakfast in February, even though it was stressed that it was an apolitical spiritual meeting. In a rare display of courage, Obama declared that the Tibetan Buddhist leader was an inspiration for freedom and dignity of all human beings and called him a "true friend". This is what Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency, had to say about this meeting:

"There may be self-claimed friendship between Mr Obama and the Dalai Lama as individuals... What lies under their hypocritical relationship is nothing but political deals and cold calculations"

Though the Dalai Lama has openly declared, repeatedly, that he is not seeking independence for Tibet but continuation as an autonomous region of China with guarantees for preservation of its unique culture. In spite of this, Chinese officials seem to be very scared of him. David Cameron, the British Prime Minister, irked the Chinese by meeting the Dalai Lama, in spite of their opposition, in 2012. All ministerial contact was suspended by China after this but they allowed Cameron to lead a trade delegation to China last year, after a deal struck by William Hague, then Foreign Secretary, with his counterpart; that Cameron will never see Dalai Lama again! Apparently, China made Britain apologize, which I am sure they did for the sake of business, as two previously planned trade delegations had been cancelled.

A summit of Nobel Peace laureates to be held in honour of late Nelson Mandela, in South Africa last October was cancelled, as a number of laureates who were due to attend withdrew in protest at the decision by the Jacob Zuma government not to grant a visa for the Dalai Lama to attend the summit. 14 Peace laureates protested to President Zuma but he did not relent most likely due to pressure from China. This is not the first time South Africa has refused to grant a visa to His Holiness.

It nearly brought tears to my eyes, to read two opinion pieces in The Island of Monday April 6th by Concerned woman and Nettle Grub which indicated that our government too may deny a visa to Dalai Lama. We, well renowned for our hospitality and warmth; we who extended a warm welcome to His Holiness the Pope, in spite only 6% of the countrys population being Roman Catholics, denying a visa to Dalai Lama simply is unbelievable. I wonder what stanza from Dhammapada or what paragraph from Yahapalanaya, President Sirisena is planning to quote to justify this decision, provided the story is true.

Thanks to YouTube, the video-sharing website set up by Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Jawed Karim only ten years ago though most of us who love using it feel as if it had been there for ever, I have been able to watch a number of interviews with the Dalai Lama and comprehend the true greatness of a wonderful, inspirational human being. One of the best is an interview titled, "Buddhism; The last honest religion?" and, with apologies to those who may have watched it, will quote some of the facts stated by Dalai Lama.

It starts with a question from the audience:

"As we know you have been working with leading scientists in the world and they show a keen interest in Buddhist spirituality; how do you see the outcome of these?"

Dalai Lama states that he has had very serious discussions with scientists over the last three decades in four fields:

1. Cosmology

2. Neurobiology

3. Quantum Physics

4. Psychology

He readily admits that Science is far more advanced in Cosmology and Quantum Physics making him discard long held myths like the existence of Mount Meru, 675,000 million mile high tower residence of gods etc. Though scriptures state Sun and Moon go round us in the sky, science has proved otherwise and we Buddhists must accept proven facts. This would not affect the fundamentals of the Buddhas teachings: The Four Noble Truths.

As far as Cosmology is concerned, Big Bang theory is in keeping with Buddhist teaching where it is stated that there have been multiple Big Bangs; worlds appear and disappear. In Neurobiology, the Buddhist concepts of mind and thoughts have contributed to a better understanding. In Quantum Physics, the Buddhist concept of interdependency, nothing exists by itself, is well expressed. In Psychology, compared to Eastern and Buddhist Psychology, Western Psychology is like a kindergarten and Psychologists are keen to learn from Buddhist Psychology and adopt Buddhist practices like meditation in treatment.

When he initially tried to interact with scientists in the west, Dalai Lama was warned by one of his friends who stated: Science is the killer of religion but he was not scared as he believed in the words of the Buddha: "My followers should not accept my teachings out of devotion or out of faith but rather through investigation and experiment"

Dalai Lama identifies that within Buddhist teaching there are three aspects; Buddhist science, Buddhist philosophy and religion.While Buddhist science and Buddhist philosophy are universal, he is of the opinion that religious aspects are for Buddhists. He encourages non-Buddhists to continue with their own religion but learn from Buddhist science and Buddhist philosophy. What an open-minded, considerate and enlightened view, I thought, listening to him.

Full of humour, laughing all the time in his usual manner, he comes up with interesting anecdotes.

One Tibetan refugee family, that crossed to India, was forced to convert to Catholicism on the death of the husband, as they got financial support from the Church, but the wife had met Dalai Lama to tell him that they would be Buddhists in the next life though Catholics in this life. Interestingly, he then points out that if they are Catholic there is no next life as it is either eternal hell or heaven!

One very religious Indian friend of his has asked why God created so much of suffering in the world when the Dalai Lama replied "Well, God created hell he and has to find some to go there!" but adds why God with his infinite love, power and wisdom should create a miserable world?

He feels his popularity in the West, especially with scientists, is because he propagates human values and secular ethics rather than Buddhist values though they are actually Buddhist values and adds that some call Buddhism a humanistic religion. He feels we can enlighten the West about emotion and mind and opines his good health is due to a healthy mind. He emphasizes that he has no anger towards Chinese hardliners but pity.

Scientists of Judeo- Christian religions have no faith but place trust in Buddhism as it is a scientific religion and though they do not brand themselves Buddhist are so by action. What is most revealing is that the Dalai Lama has instructed that science be taught in all monasteries, a progressive step that we should embrace in Sri Lanka.

For those of us who have not yet had the fortune of meeting him, the videos on YouTube are a great source of education.

If not for Emperor Ashoka, Buddhism would not have become a world religion; if not for Anagarika Dhammapala, Buddhists would have been denied all the sacred sites; if not for Babasaheeb Ambedkar, there would have been no Buddhists left in the country of Buddhas birth, life and death; if not for the Dalai Lama, Buddhism enriching Science would not have occurred to this extent.

A cheerful personality encompassing an enlightened mind, a visionary radiating compassion, Dalai Lama would win the hearts of any one he comes in contact with and thus has shown, he is mightier than the most powerful weapons; that is why he is dangerous, at least to the Chinese.Posted byThavam