Dalai Lama, the dangerous

By 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 by Thavam