Really nice guy visits Warsaw
On the final day of his Polish visit His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama met with Polish politicians in Warsaw and emphasised the importance of fundamental values. As an example he mentioned how children in the UK are taught ethics from a very early age at kindergarten,
"This subject is called happiness and it's the right way." he said.
Politicians representing the main political parties pledged their support for the Tibetan cause and the Dalai Lama responded by saying that Poland was in a good position to help the Tibetan cause by raising the subject at EU meetings. He also emphasised the need for communication and the irrelevant nature of official or unofficial meetings but the importance of meeting face to face and simply talking. At the Sejm His Holiness pointed out that he did not wish anyone to have problems because of him but the "Chinese Blessing" does follow him wherever he goes. He also asked for the world to support activists and the intelligentsia who are fighting for change in China, adding
"China could win respect and authority. But it harms itself by acting not like a superpower but like a small country. It can actually get offended by a couple of press articles." (sound familiar?)
In the afternoon he addressed an audience of 5000 people at Warsaw's Torwar Hall. The audience made up of mainly young people were spellbound by the easy going and informal atmosphere surrounding His Holiness. At one point asking the gathering if they minded whether he made himself comfortable, he then removing his shoes and sitting down cross-legged on the stage. Later he placed a sun visor on his head as the reflectors were dazzling him and proceeded to eat sweets during the gathering.
The emphasis of his lecture was the importance of compassion , caring for and about others is the key to peace on earth. He also advocated the value of inner peace - through which we can cope with even the most difficult situations.
The meeting ended with a Q&A session where topics raised included; The current situation in Tibet and on a more personal level, how can I be a good husband and father?. One person asked whether thinking badly of the Chinese was a sin? His Holiness calmy answered "Of course, hatred has no place in compassion".