His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke yesterday, September 25, 2005, at Rutgers University to a crowd of over 36,000 people. To view this simple monk's profound (and funny) speech, click, if it works, or copy, the link below. I'm sure you'll enjoy the videos tremendously as much as I did. Just thought I'll share them with you, my dear fellow Sajhaites.

- http://www.president.rutgers.edu/dalailama/video.shtml

Seriousely, you all guys should take into consideration one aspect of Dalai Lama... No matter what he says, he is not only the spiritual leader of tibetans.. he is also political leader. He is religious political leader.

Therefore, his activities is not entirely suitable for a true monk. True monk never act the way he acts. But being a political leader of tibetans, he went there in Rutgers to acccept the phd degree... to propagate himself and Tibet more in teh world. So he has a extra agenda other than spiritual.

I have never heard great buddhist monks accepting such a free phd degree. However, there are many other buddhists monks, who actually went to university and earned the degree in thier path to practice biddhism as they entered monasteries in thier early young ages.

People,

For those of you who think Dalai Lama is great, I disagree. I only agree that he is simple and easy. I had heard a lot about him but I saw him speeching for the first time. I didn't find any strength in his speech. I respect him for being such a simple man but up there in New Jersy, he sounded like a man just enjoying the anti-Chinese semitistism of the Western world. And oh yeah, they are really using him.

No offense to his followers. It is not that hard at all to show yourself a simple man if you are already known as such a great personality. He doesn't sound like and is definitely not a politician but he wants to be one and so does the Western world.

He definitely showed his sense of humor but it was really funny when he said the whole world should be de-militarized. He talked about war and peace but his ideas of reconsilation was really weak. Coz he couldn't express any ideas about how to solve problems, just the positivity towards it won't work. It was really devastating when he got the Nobel Prize for peace (or did he?).

So, people, I don't know if he is awake as Buddha but he is just a privileged man to me.

Stalker,
I am not confronting your views. But, you pointed out ?For those of you who think Dalai Lama is great?, that is why I am responding.

- If you are referring that the Dalai Lama is used by the west against China, you are wrong. The reason being, there is nothing that the west has to use against China. The west is heavily dependent on china so does China to the west. The economic ties are so strong and interdependent that no one wants to meddle with this relation. And, how much would west get even if they were using the Dalai Lama?
- His concept of de-militarization is NOT a joke. He has given clear example to bolster his statement. You have to listen carefully.
- If you consider him as a privileged man, what do you say about Mahatma Gandhi, every body was aware of non-violence then, how about Gautam Buddha (every body was aware of middle path then). It just happened that you are listing these great ideas now and you think it is of less importance. If you were born during Buddha?s period, you would have said the same thing that Buddha is a joke, there is nothing new on his ?ism and he is a privileged man (he was a son of a king).
- He captured most of the aspects with clear examples and stayed focused on these 3 things: War, Peace and Reconciliation. He mentioned that war is the cause, compassion is the means and peace is the destination. Also, he mentioned the role of very basic human nature (happiness) and act of prejudiced mind in this series of War and Peace.
- Simplicity does not come so easily. The gap between appearance and reality should be minimal. He proved this on his word and on his deed even during this short period of speech.
- I personally feel that Nobel Prize is not enough for him, there should be better accolade.


Later

I also think he is a previleged man as he was chosen as a Dalai Lama at the tender age of two and since that he has nothing to worry about. Everthing was(is) taken care for him. When he says something about world peace every one says great speech but if a ordinary person says the samething no one listen. He is been living an exile but comfortable life in India while so many tibetian are strugling everyday. I have nothing against him or his religious belief I just think he is an over rated person. No hard feelings among his followers. I also want to live in a world with peace and love, without any hatred. Who wouldn't? So lets hope we will live to see those days.

Go with Peace

sd Man,

When I said, Mr. Dalai Lama is being used by the west, I was not wrong. I think you haven't been well informed about the undeclared cold war between China and the US. They shake their right hands for that China supplies cheap labor to the US and US buys cheaper goods from China. But there is always fist to fist on the other hands where US talks about the human rights violation and protests the gobbling up of Tibet by China. And China shows the finger and says to mind their own business. Tibet is not the only issue.

When China put her missiles pointed out towards Taiwan, the Japs and the American coalition sold numerous fighters to Taiwan.

Not to mention, how can you forget the rescent arguement between them about the nuclear warfare? Apart from this, whether you know or not, China is soon in near future becoming the #1 economic power in the world surpassing the US. And that is only coz the Americans can't buy anything that cheap if it is not from China.

This is really making the US scratch her head.
And he didn't have to focus on these three topics, war, peace and reconcilation coz that was the topic he was supposed to speak for.

Of course his mind is in very much peace, it can be felt in his speech. I already said he is not a politician, just trying to be one. If he does that, he is going to loose his peaceful mind.

And Gautam buddha was a privileged man but that can't be counted for what he did. Coz he was a supposed to be a king and he became a sage. It is like Arnold's coming up as a better baseballer and saying that he was a privileged man.

About the Nobel peace prize, neither I think Dalai Lama deserves it for peace keeping nor I think every Nobel peace prize is not politically motivated.

So, my friends, I believe what he received in the Rutgers was the appropriate for him.

Later.

Thanks ssNY for posting the link. It was indeed an enlightening experience to hear his holiness. He explained such complicated topics with such simplicity. It was owesome. I think this will have an effect on me for a long time. Great speaker, great leader, above all a great human being.

I was thinking, if we are to measure how much would be the gap between reality and appearance (perception) when everybody address Dalai Lama as "His Holiness" and he hears it.

His Holiness... I don't think it fits. HOw about calling him, "Hey Man" will he feels something bad?

- http://www.harvard.edu/news/dalai.html

Click, again, if it works, or cut and paste, to see His Holiness the Dalai Lama speak in Harvard University, September 2003.

Stalker,
I am pretty sure, you did not listen the Dalai Lama?s speech carefully. You must have listened amid distraction. I suggest you listen again. And I am not sure, how much I understood from your postings, whatever you wanted to express minus whatever I could not understand, here you go?.

You mentioned ?there is cold war?. Do you freak out when you write something? Unless it is some pentagon scoop, no one has claimed this as ?COLD WAR?

I do not disagree that the USA points out figure first if there is any violation on human rights. That is what they did in Kuwait in early 90s despite some HUMANITARIAN VETETRAN?S comment that US poked its nose on Middle East (and may be for oil). Had it not the US, Kuwait would not be a nation today. So is the issue with Taiwan. I do not claim to be the only one with information that some Chinese (and a few Taiwani?s) claim Taiwan as their own land. To reciprocate this Chinese claim is to comply with UN charter (if UN charter does mean anything).

I agree that China many become economic super power one day. That would not be a bad news to anyone. As some journalist says ?China is the country which went from bicycle ear to Audi era in just two decades?. The economics indices indicate the same way. If I am not wrong, Chinese per capita income is looming around $1000.00 compare to 300-400 about a couple of year ago. But, China certainly has to long jump to catch up with the highest per-capita income of ~$30,000.00. As per my understanding, the economic growth is because of cheap labor market consumed by the west. The west keeps on shifting the labor market from time to time. Example is Mexico and Latin America where the USA used their cheap labor market for very long time. Not to mention, Mexico?s and some other Latin American country?s economy was getting stronger in those days.

And finally, the Dalai Lama was not in Rutger to disseminate his political belief. I believe there was no speck of Tibetan politics. Despite the fact that his speeches do not mingle any connotative political gestures on such lectures, he is the leader of exiled Tibetans in Dharmasala and around.

Later

I have a question here>>

Someone wrote earlier that Nepal do not allow Dalai Lama to enter the country. Can someone clarify on this issue?

My understanding is "His Holiness the 16th Dalai Lama" is not allowed to enter Nepal. Now Nepal not allowing him IN and Him being Not allowed to enter Nepal are two deeply different scenarios. Nepal will allow his Holiness to enter/settle in Nepal if we could. I believe it Goes back to the days when His Holiness had to take Shelter (being exiled) in Eastern India while, he as the leader of Tibet had to come up with a treaty to avoid the possible war, and destruction of Tibet. I am not sure But I do believe it was the part of that treaty (between Tibet (Dalai Lama) and China) that do not allow His Holinees The Dalai Lama to enter Nepal. Correct me if I am mistaken.

However, I do believe he is a very Humble human being. Despite being the political leader of Tibet, he has adopted a very simple life. BTW I remember ..... Before He left Tibet for Good he had asked AMERica for Help .. and he didn't get any reply back. And neither did any other nations.

I believe His teachings are about making lives easier for ourselves. His teachings do not ask anyone to FIght against China.

FOr those who thought he is NOT a political leader but is one of those wannabes------ I say Are you kidding me??? First he is a Political Leader. He is a religious political leader. That's his position. But he is so Great that He calls Himself a SIMpLe MONk. And yes he is a Simple Monk. And the simplest of the humans are the ones who can find Nirvana in the long run. Don't they say "Simplicity is the Best Policy." I think that's what Buddhism is about as well. His Holinesss didn't come to NOrth America to fulfil a political agenda. Do not get me or get him wrong. He surely came to see his people and give them some happiness that he can give. I attended one of his speeches at Harvard Univesity (it was for Tibetans and the Sherpas..... this speech is different from the one he gave at another Harvard function.... I got the Pass from one of my Tibetan friend). Even though I didn't understand a single word he said, I will tell you this....during that 2 hours period I felt so Good.. and in so much comfort. I couldn't understand what he said (he spoke in Tibetan) but I can feel the Impact of his presence. His presence alone made things appear so calm. It was probably the best 2 hours of my life. I can only think I can feel the same forever.

I have lots of respect for this Human being. He is the next thing to GOD. But again any Great Man can be considered as the next thing to GOD. But remember there is a Whole Lotta Difference Between the GOD and the next thing to GOD. Former exits in beliefs, the later exits for real. But GOD is THeGOD and Man Is A man.

Thanks peole for the Inputs and the Links.

may peace Prevail on earth.
Jai nepal
ProudNepali