World Peace Begins with Inner Peace: Dalai Lama
Published: Monday, 11 September, 2006
Vancouver, Canada 10 September 2006 (Canadian Press) - The
Dalai Lama, the jovial leader of millions of Buddhists worldwide who believes
the purpose of life is to be happy, joined scientists on Saturday to discuss
how stress can affect health.
The 71-year-old monk, clad in traditional robes, answered questions from three
prominent scientists who work in fields related to mental health.
Among them was celebrity scientist Deepak Chopra, who noted that rising
violence and terrorist attacks are increasing the world's yearning for peace.
The Dalai Lama replied that early stress in life from poverty or abuse leads to
negative emotions such as fear, jealousy and anger which turn into violence.
Essentially, the Dalai Lama believes world peace begins with inner peace,
tolerance and compassion.
He said that once people develop compassion, more meaningful dialogue can take
place which will ultimately lead to a less violent world.
"In order to understand meaningful dialogue first you must understand
others' interests and you must respect them as your brothers and sisters and
also consider them as a part of yourself,'' he said.
He said people could look to the example of a nurturing mother to understand
true compassion.
At one point Chopra, who studies the mind-body connection in relation to good
health and has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey show many times, asked the
Dalai Lama if world peace would come about if society elevated the profession
of motherhood.
The Dalai Lama chuckled, scratched his head and said, "Yes that's good.''
"The long term is the answer to deal with violence motivated by anger and
fear, so we must have compassion to create more humanity.''
He said he believed even a child who had suffered abuse could be healed by
learning how to change his or her perspective from a negative one to a positive
one.
"Make the effort. Work hard. Be united. I think you should know you have a
responsibility to work together,'' he told a packed audience at Vancouver's
Orpheum Theatre.
Psychiatrist Alan Young, associate director at the Institute
of Mental Health at the University
of British Columbia, asked the
Dalai Lama for his thoughts on the parallels between compassion and mental ill
health.
He wanted to know why it seems people have less compassion for people with
mental disorders than for those with physical ones.
"It would be a scandal if someone had to sleep in the street with cancer
but why is it not for someone who has schizophrenia?'' said Young.
"I don't know.'' said the Dalai Lama, noting the centre would be a good
place do more research on why people fall ill from depression with seemingly
little reason.
The Dalai Lama journeyed to Vancouver
over the weekend to open a new centre for peace and education and wrapped up
his visit Saturday night before a crowd of 14,000 people at GM
Place.
Mayor Sam Sullivan and Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Monte Solberg
were on hand to present the Dalai Lama with the honorary Canadian citizenship
that Parliament unanimously decided to award him earlier this year.
It was only the third time the honour has been granted. South African leader
Nelson Mandela and Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, who saved Jews from
extermination during the Second World War have both received the honour.
"Your Holiness, if you know anything at all about our Parliament, you will
know that we never agree on anything, let alone unanimously,'' Solberg said.
"Clearly you really have had the ability to bring people together.''
The honorary citizenship drew strong opposition from China,
which warned the gesture could harm relations.
The Foreign Affairs Department says Canada
recognizes China
as the legitimate government of both China
and Tibet, but
has great respect for the Dalai Lama.
He fled into exile in northern India
in 1959, following a failed uprising against Chinese rule, but is still widely
revered in Tibet.
After the ceremony, the floor was handed over to the Dalai Lama, who spoke
about how to cultivate happiness.
"I feel for a successful and happy life much of it depends on our mental
outlook,'' he said, as he sat cross-legged on a couch onstage. "The money,
power or even health, I think is secondary. If mental state is calm, at peace,
then you really enjoy your life.''
