10 Questions for the Dalai Lama - Time Magazine Interview
Time
Magazine interviewed His Holiness in
Question: Do you ever feel angry or outraged? —Kantesh Guttal,
His Holiness: Oh, yes, of course. I'm a human being. Generally speaking,
if a human being never shows anger, then I think something's wrong. He's not
right in the brain. [Laughs.]
Question: How do you stay so optimistic and faithful when there is so
much hate in the world? —Joana Cotar,
His Holiness: I always look at any event from a wider angle. There's
always some problem, some killing, some murder or terrorist act or scandal
everywhere, every day. But if you think the whole world is like that, you're
wrong. Out of 6 billion humans, the troublemakers are just a handful.
Question: How has the role set out for you changed since you first came
to be the Dalai Lama? —Andy Thomas,
His Holiness: I became the Dalai Lama not on a volunteer basis. Whether
I was willing or not, I [had to study] Buddhist philosophy like an ordinary
monk student in these big monastic institutions. Eventually I realized I have a
responsibility. Sometimes it is difficult, but where there is some challenge,
that is also truly an opportunity to serve more.
Question: Do you see any possibility of reconciliation with the Chinese
government in your lifetime? —Joseph K.H. Cheng, MELBOURNE
His Holiness: Yes, there is a possibility. But I think past experience
shows it is not easy. Many of these hard-liners, their outlook is very narrow
and shortsighted. They are not looking at it in a holistic way. However, within
the People's Republic of
Question: How can we teach our children not to be angry? —Robyn Rice,
GRAND JUNCTION, COLO.
His Holiness: Children always look to their parents. Parents should be
more calm. You can teach children that you face a lot of problems but you must
react to those problems with a calm mind and reason. I have always had this
view about the modern education system: we pay attention to brain development,
but the development of warmheartedness we take for granted.
Question: Have you ever thought about being a normal person instead of
being the Dalai Lama? —Grego Franco,
His Holiness: Yes, at a young age. Sometimes I felt, "Oh, this is a
burden. I wish I was an unknown Tibetan. Then I'd have more freedom." But
then later I realized that my position was something useful to others. Nowadays
I feel happy that I'm Dalai Lama. At the same time, I never feel that I'm some
special person. Same — we are all the same.
Question: Do you miss
His Holiness: Yes. Tibetan culture is not only ancient but relevant to
today's world. After seeing the problems of violence, we realize that Tibetan
culture is one of compassion and nonviolence. There is also the climate. In
Question: What do you say to people who use religion as a pretext to
violence or killing? —Arnie Domingo,
His Holiness: There are innocent, faithful people that are manipulated
by some other people whose interest is different. Their interest is not
religion but power or sometimes money. They manipulate religious faith. In such
cases, we must make a distinction: these [bad things] are not caused by
religion.
Question: Have you ever tried on a pair of trousers? —Ju Huang,
His Holiness: When it's very, very cold. And particularly in 1959, when
I escaped, I wore trousers, like laypeople dressed. So I have experience.
Question: Do you believe your time here on earth has been a success?
—Les Lucas,
His Holiness: Hmmm. That's relative. It's so difficult to say. All human
life is some part failure and some part achievement.
