The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu preach a message of ‘delicious doubt’

First Things editor R.R. Reno writes that when the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu spoke together at a “Peace Summit” in Vancouver, they shared an ideology that was perfect for those who like the idea of God but not the commitment of religion:

The Dalai Lama’s negations make him a lead blocker, opening up a wide hole for Archbishop Tutu to run through. God respects our autonomy, the Christian leader says; God regrets our misrepresentations of his teachings. “God is not a Christian,” he announces, “God allows us to misunderstand her.” The audience in Vancouver erupts with applause.

The Dalai Lama is a very astute and capable politician who has done a masterly job of securing support for Tibet in its ongoing struggle against Chinese domination. I suspect he’s sometimes cynical in his spiritual pronouncements. He must know that the applause does not indicate appreciation or even understanding of Buddhism. Its negations are meant to humiliate and overcome what we so dearly love, which is our self. That’s never something that brings applause.

“God allows us to misunderstand her.” Who’s to say which religion is true? Isn’t God too big for any one religion? These and other negations make Church, sacraments, Scripture seem less certain, less reliable, less authoritative. We don’t experience this as unpleasant or disorienting. On the contrary, it’s a delicious doubt. We want “organized religion,” which in the West means Christianity, to loosen its grip over culture, politics—and our souls. For our goal is neither enlightenment nor salvation, but instead to live by our own lights and on our own terms.

And so our age applauds the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, and other adepts of negation and critique. God without priests. Churches without authority. Faiths that are optional. It’s wonderfully liberating. The divine can’t get his hands on us anymore! Now we can be spiritual without being religious. It’s the luxury good human beings have always wanted: bespoke worship, idols made to spec.

Read full column at First Things

China appoints new governor for Tibet

DHARAMSHALA, January 30: Beijing has appointed yet another hardliner Tibetan as the new governor of central Tibet, a move many believe augurs with China’s plans of maintaining its iron fisted rule over the region.

55-year-old Losang Gyaltsen’s name was announced on Tuesday at the end of the 10th annual meeting of the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region’s rubber stamp regional assembly.

He replaces Pema Choling, who has now been selected as the chairman of the standing committee of the regional legislature. Fourteen others were elected vice chairpersons of the regional government, official state agency Xinhua said in a report.

According to his official biography, Gyaltsen is a former mayor of Tibetan capital Lhasa and once taught Marxist theory.

He reports to Tibet's top Han official, Communist Party chief Chen Quanguo, a position never held by a Tibetan.

In his first speech as the new governor, Gyaltsen toed the party hard line, saying that under him the regional administration will "resolutely struggle" against exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.

According to Xinhua, he “urged maintaining vigilance in times of peace as well as taking a firm political stand and acting consistently to resolutely battling against the 14th Dalai Lama clique and unswervingly safeguarding the unification of the motherland and national unity.”

"All development and progress of Tibet since its peaceful liberation is the results of sticking to the leadership of the Communist Party of China , the socialist system, the regional ethnic autonomy system and the path of development with Chinese characteristics and Tibetan features," the report cited Gyaltsen as saying.

He also spoke about “reform and opening up” of Tibet, a claim which has been denied by Beijing based prominent Tibetan writer, Woeser.

Speaking to Reuters, she called Gyaltsen a “hardline” like all other officials. “There will be no real change in Tibet," she said.

With Tibet reeling under a wave of self-immolations, which has witnessed at least 99 known Tibetans setting themselves on fire protesting Chinese rule, Tibetans have been placed under growing restrictions and increasingly marginalising and discriminatory policies.

According to his official biography, Gyaltsen was born in Chagyab, Tibet, in July 1957 and studied at the Tibet University for Nationalities for five years and worked at the university for another 10 years.

Between May 1996 and January 2003, he was mayor of Lhasa and deputy secretary of the CPC Lhasa municipal committee.

From January 2003 to January 2013, he served different posts, including vice chairman of the regional administration and deputy secretary of the CPC regional committee.

Senior monks of Sera, Drepung, Ganden disappeared

DHARAMSHALA, January 30: In an alarming development, Chinese authorities in central Tibet have reportedly detained some of the senior most monks, including abbots and chant masters of the three principle monastic seats of Sera, Ganden, ad Drepung.

According to Swiss based Tibetan, Sonam, the high-level monks, in total 16, were whisked away on the pretext of a meeting by Chinese officials in the Lhasa region on January 14.

The condition and whereabouts of those disappeared remain unknown, giving rise to anxiety and tension among the monastic community around Tibet’s ancient capital city.

Those disappeared have been identified as abbot Jampel Lhaksam, chant master Ngawang, teachers Ngawang Dhonden, Ngawang Pelsang, and Samten of the Drepung Monastery; disciplinarian Migmar, chant master Samten, teachers Ngawang, and Tashi Gyaltsen of Sera Monastery; and Kalden and Lobsang Ngodup of Ganden Monastery.

Also disappeared were Lhasa Tsug-la Khang’s Lhundrub Yarphel, Tseten Dorjee, and Ngawang Lophel.

Speculations are rife that the senior monks were first taken against their will to conduct ‘patriotic re-education campaign’ at monasteries in the nearby Nagchu region of Tibet.

However, there has been no further information on their whereabouts.

Following the disappearance of the abbots and teachers of the monastic universities, the academic curriculum of the monks has become a matter of great concern.

A report on enforced disappearances in Tibet, titled ‘Into Thin Air – An Introduction to Enforced Disappearances in Tibet’ released in October last, stated that disappearances are “prevalent and commonplace” for Tibetans living under Chinese rule.

“While there is a growing movement to ban enforced disappearances in any form or justification, the Chinese government has for the past many decades used enforced disappearances as a tool to suppress dissent and criticism, by disappearing and detaining incommunicado persons deemed threats to the PRC’s ‘unity’ and ‘stability,’” Dharamshala based rights group TCHRD said.

“Security officers in Tibet, particularly the Public Security Bureau and the People’s Armed Police, use enforced disappearance to terrorize and intimidate the disappeared person, his or her family members, as well as the entire community."

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elecetd head of the Tibetan people, while releasing the white paper, 'Why Tibet is Burning?' earlier this week had said the current critical situation in Tibet is being "fuelled by China's total disregard for the religious beliefs, cultural values and reasonable political aspirations of the Tibetan people.”

Exile Tibetan leadership launches solidarity campaign in Delhi

Speaker Penpa Tsering (left) and Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay addressing the press in New Delhi on January 29, 2013. (Phayul photo)

NEW DELHI, January 29: On the eve of the four-day Tibetan People’s Solidarity Campaign in New Delhi, the speaker of the Tibetan Parliament and the de facto Tibetan prime minster today jointly addressed a press conference at the Press Club of India here.

Over 100 media personnel attended the conference which began with the screening of the documentary ‘What is China doing in Tibet’ released by the Dharmahsala based Central Tibetan Administration.

Speaking first, Speaker Penpa Tsering of the Tibetan Parliament warned that the situation inside Tibet is “getting more and more grim.”

“Therefore, the Tibetan cabinet and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile have jointly decided to come to Delhi for the first time in the history of our struggle to organise a four-day programme to seek the attention of our host country as well as the international community to call upon the Chinese government to look into the causes of why Tibetans are self-immolating,” he said.

Despite repeated appeals by the exile Tibetan administration, 99 Tibetans have set themselves on fire protesting Chinese rule and demanding freedom and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama since 2009.

Introducing the solidarity campaign from January 30 – February 2, Speaker Tsering announced that India’s former deputy Prime Minister LK Advani would be among a host of top Indian leaders addressing the first day of the campaign tomorrow at the Talkatora Stadium.

Over the next four days various events such as peace marches, interfaith prayers, day-long fasting, public address by Indian leaders, lobbying efforts with foreign diplomats among others will be held.

Speaker Tsering noted that the mass prayer meeting on February 1 will be presided by Kyabje Gaden Tri Rinpoche, the first throne holder of Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism of Indian origin.

Speaking next, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, said China’s policies of political repression, cultural assimilation, population transfer, racial discrimination, economic and education marginalisation and environmental destruction were the causes behind the self-immolations in Tibet.

The de facto Tibetan prime minister noted that 70 per cent of economic enterprises in the so called Tibetan Autonomous Region are owned or run by Chinese, while 40 per cent Tibetan college and high school graduates are unemployed.

“Facing such repressive policies and with no freedom of speech or expression, Tibetans are resorting to the drastic way of protest by setting fire to themselves,” Sikyong Sangay said. “It reflects the desperation as well as the determination of the Tibetan people to protest with their lives.”

Speaking about the strong historical, cultural, and academic bond that Indians and Tibetans share and the security threat currently imposed by China, the Harvard law graduate noted that Tibet “ought to be one of the core issues of India vis-à-vis China.”

He ascertained that the Tibetan movement is “very much made in India,” arguing that the democracy that Tibetans practice is inspired by India and Tibet’s policy of non-violence follows Mahatma Gandhi’s notion of Ahimsa. Many of the Tibetan leaders, including Speaker Tsering and himself have been born and brought up in India, he added.

“Indian government and people have extended so much support to the Tibetans for which we are eternally grateful,” Sikyong Sangay said. “But we would like to see a little bit more given the gravity of the situation in Tibet.”

More than 5000 Tibetans have converged in the national capital from all over India, Nepal, and Bhutan to take part in the solidarity events. Over 1500 Indian supporters are also expected to take part in the campaign.

At the press club, a travelling exhibition on Tibetan history and culture titled, ‘Looking Homeward’ and a ten-panel photo exhibition on the self-immolation protests were displayed.

A Peaceful Plan: Dalai Lama to make Louisville visit

By AMANDA BEAM newsroom@newsandtribune.com

LOUISVILLE — Once-in-a-generation opportunities, by definition, don’t come around very often. But according to Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, residents throughout Kentucky and Indiana will have this exact chance when His Holiness the Dalai Lama comes to the city this May. 

At a special interfaith ceremony held Wednesday at Louisville’s Tibetan Buddhist Center, the Drepung Gomang Institute, representatives from various cultural, academic and religious groups gathered to celebrate and preview the upcoming visit.

“We’re just delighted to be participating here as a city in the visit by the Dalai Lama,” Fischer said. “I just feel like this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for people in Louisville and the surrounding region; the opportunity to hear and learn from the world’s most iconic figure, a true leader in his quest for peace, for justice, for compassion.”

As the 14th and current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso has been officially recognized since 1950 as one of the main leaders of the Gelugpa line of Buddhism. In addition, until his recent retirement in 2011, he served as the head of the exiled Tibetan government. In 1989, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his peaceful advocacy of Tibetan liberation from China.

In addition, His Holiness also is renowned for his dedication to promoting inter-faith dialogue, a key component to his May visit. Indianapolis resident and Sikh representative K.P. Singh has met the Dalai Lama on several separate occasions. Singh said His Holiness’ teachings transcend any particular religion.

“He is compassionate and loving of every faith, tradition, culture and community,” Singh said. “He said learning about other faiths is a reaffirmation about who you are and what your faith is all about. And if there are some elements in there that strengthens your own faith and your own tradition, then by all means certainly learn from that.”

Singh also stressed the Dalai Lama’s connection to Indiana. His Holiness has traveled to the Hoosier state seven times, predominantly to Bloomington. His older brother and fellow Lama Thubten Jigme Norbu taught at Indiana University and founded the now named Tibetan-Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center in the city. 

Although Norbu died in 2008, the Dalai Lama still has nephews who reside in Bloomington and carry on his brother’s legacy. 

Lisa Morrison, director of media and public relations for the event, said the family will travel to visit their uncle while he’s in Louisville. 

“I have to remind our honorable mayor of Louisville that he has a lot of catching up to do with the city of Bloomington because every square inch of Bloomington is hallowed ground,” Singh said. “Momentarily, I felt a little jealous of the city of Louisville that he would not be visiting Indiana, but then I realized that his spirit has the power to shine deep within us each time we even think about him.” 

Franklin University Professor David Carlson also stressed that the importance of the Dalai Lama’s visit extends to the whole of the Midwest. 

“What happens in Louisville affects us very deeply north of you across the Ohio River,” he said.

Carlson also said communities, as living organisms, are interconnected and that revitalization of society rests on a basic concept.

“The secret of renewing communities is not a mystery. All religions know that compassion is the healing medicine,” Carlson said. “May his visit and celebration of this city as a city of compassion lead other cities and other organizations to take a similar step not only elsewhere in Kentucky but throughout the entire region we know and claim today as America’s heartland, its living center.” 

Featuring three days of activities, the Dalai Lama’s stay in the city will include several teaching opportunities, the largest of which will take place on May 19 at the Yum Center. Expecting a crowd of 15,000 in attendance, Fischer said this two-hour presentation will focus on how people can engage with compassion regardless of their religious orientations. 

On May 20, the Dalai Lama will give two separate public talks at KFC Yum! Center concentrating on Buddhist teachings. Wrapping up his visit, he will also speak to previously selected school children about nonviolence and compassion May 21 at the Kentucky Center for the Arts.

Anticipating a great number of guests attending the events, Fischer said the impact on the community and on individuals themselves will be dramatic.

“The Dalai Lama, as I mentioned, is such as iconic figure for peace and justice and compassion that he’s going to inspire people in ways we don’t know about. So our mission should be to get as many people to hear what his message is,” Fischer said.

Tickets for the May 19 and 20 events are on sale at the Yum Center’s box office and online at ticketmaster.com. For more information on these and other happenings leading up to the visit, drop by the official event website at dalailamalouisville.org

China May Face Power Glut

An analysis by Michael Lelyveld

2013-01-21

Generating surplus may follow slower economic growth.

AFP
Steam rises from a power station in Beijing on Dec. 5, 2012.

As its economic growth slows and air quality declines, China may be building more power plants than it needs.

During 2012, China increased its generating capacity far more than its power consumption growth, according to official reports.

After years of power shortages, the trends suggest a major shift that could soon burden the electricity sector with generating surpluses and under-utilized power plants.

"There's a probability of it, almost a certainty of it," said Philip Andrews-Speed, principal fellow in the East Asia program at the National University of Singapore's Energy Studies Institute.

"The question is, is this a bad thing?" Andrews-Speed said.

Last year, China power production rose 4.5 percent, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) reported. Power consumption grew 5.5 percent, far less than 11.7-percent rate in 2011, the National Energy Administration (NEA) said.

But installed generation capacity climbed 7.5 percent to at least 1,140 gigawatts (GW), according to the NEA. Previously released figures for 2011 suggest growth was actually over 8 percent.

The numbers mean that China is adding power plants at a rate 77 percent faster than it is using them and 45 percent faster than growth in demand.

The gap is the result of last year's slower economic growth in the midst of a longer-term buildup of capacity, which was designed to keep pace with double-digit growth rates.

Capacity

China nearly doubled its generating capacity between 2005 and 2010, making plans to double it again by 2020. Under the 12th Five-Year Plan, China's installed capacity would reach 1,400 GW, implying continued annual growth of about 8 percent.

If the government sticks to that track and slower economic growth persists, overcapacity in the power sector seems set to expand.

Last year, China's gross domestic product—the main measure of a country's economic activity and growth—rose 7.8 percent, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported. The rate fell far short of 9.3-percent pace in 2011 and the 10.4-percent growth of 2010.

Experts cited by the official Xinhua news agency expect lower growth in power demand to become the norm.

"A deceleration in electricity consumption is an inevitable trend in the future, as China has vowed to
optimize and upgrade its industrial structures in the 12th Five-Year Plan," said Zhang Zhibin, an analyst with Broad Consultancy Agencies.

Lag behind

Zhang predicts power consumption growth of about 6.5 percent this year, which would still lag behind the planned increase in generating capacity.

Electricity surpluses were last seen as a problem in 1998-2002, when the Asia currency crisis slowed China's economy, prompting the government to halt power projects, Andrews-Speed said.

So far, there is no sign that the government plans to do so again.

Starting in 2003, faster economic growth began to give China the opposite problem with power shortages that forced cuts in service and drove factories to run diesel generators.

But despite warnings, major power shortages have largely failed to materialize since 2010, while capacity expansion rates have stayed about the same.

Andrews-Speed said a moderate surplus would not necessarily be a problem.

"If you have overcapacity of 10 percent or so, then you're more able to deal with crises of different types," he said.

Drought has been a periodic problem for hydro-electricity production, for example. Hydropower accounts for 21.8 percent of China's generating capacity, according to the NEA.

Reforms

Surplus capacity could also help if the government is serious about promoting reforms in the power industry.

"If they wish to go ahead and start to introduce some form of real competition in the power sector, then you need excess capacity. If you don't have excess capacity, you can't have competition," said Andrews-Speed.

But the problems with overcapacity may be under-utilization of power plants by dispatch centers and insufficient return on investment.

"Some power companies are going to find themselves losing money," Andrews-Speed said. "They're going to find that some power stations are not dispatched, or they're going to have to sell at a lower price."

For years, China five big state-owned power companies have reported heavy losses on thermal generating, mostly from high-polluting coal, as a result of government-controlled electricity rates.

But overcapacity could turn the tables on the situation, since the risk of losses may be because rates are too high rather than too low.

Instead of scrambling for power wherever they can get it, regulators may be called upon to choose which electricity supplies to dispatch into China's grids.

Decisions could be based on price, environmental impact or local political interests.

Choices

Whatever the criteria, capacity surpluses may present the government with choices it has not had to deal with in years.

"It's an interesting moment," Andrews-Speed said. "The government will have to make decisions either to reinforce the administrative measures or to move toward more economic dispatch."

Last week, SERC predicted that power consumption will pick up this year, reaching 9-percent growth. But that pace would still be slower than the 2011 rate.

SERC cited a strong 10.7-percent increase in household electricity use last year. But consumption in the industrial sector rose only 3.9 percent, the NEA said.

Breaking: Tibet continues to burn, Second self-immolation in the new year

DHARAMSHALA, January 18: The wave of self-immolation protests in Tibet against China’s continued occupation of Tibet shows no sign of abating with reports just in of yet another fiery death in Khyungchu region of Ngaba in eastern Tibet.

Initial reports have identified the Tibetan self-immolator as Tsering Phuntsok. According to a Swiss based Tibetan, Sonam, the protest occurred at around 3:15 pm (local time).

“Tsering Phuntsok set himself on fire in front of the local Chinese police station in Drachen village of Khyungchu region,” Sonam told Phayul. “He passed away at the site of his protest.”

Chinese security personnel arrived at the scene and bundled away Tsering Phuntsok’s body to Barkham, the same source said.

Tsering Phuntsok is survived by his wife and two children.

Photos of today’s self-immolation protests show the charred body of Tsering Phuntsok, still on fire, lying on the ground. A number of people could be seen surrounding the body.

Reports suggest that monks of the Amchok Monastery are currently carrying out a prayer service for the deceased.

This is the second self-immolation protest in Tibet since the beginning of the new year. In 2012 alone, as many as 82 Tibetans set themselves on fire demanding freedom and the return of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile.

Chinese authorities in the region have intensified their repressive policies by criminalising the self-immolation protests, arresting family members and friends of protesters and off late, confiscating thousands of satellite TV dishes aimed at creating an information black hole in the region.

“Tibet is getting into the global evening news because of self-immolations and so there’s this anxiety to bring it under control,” Michael Davis, a law professor and Tibet expert at the University of Hong Kong told AP. He warned that the new leadership “will be particularly anxious not to have any of these problems blow up in their face.”

“I think self-immolations and all of this suggest that they are not winning the hearts and minds of the Tibetan people and in fact the more repressive they are, the more resistance they encounter, so it’s a kind of vicious circle,” Davis said.

China appoints Wei Wei as new ambassador to India

DHARAMSHALA, January 17: China has appointed career diplomat Wei Wei, 57, as the country’s new ambassador to India, replacing Zhang Yan.

Wei, who holds a master’s degree in law according to his official biography, earlier served as the Ambassador to Singapore since 2010. He has extensive experience in Africa, formerly serving as China’s Ambassador to Brunei, and as a senior diplomat in Embassies in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.

Wei takes charge amid a sweeping once-in-ten year leadership change in the Chinese government, with the Communist Party’s fifth generation of leadership asserting control – a transition that culminate in March with the recently-selected general secretary Xi Jinping replacing Hu Jintao as President.

Wei’s tenure in New Delhi has been preceded by warming-up of relations between India and China. The two countries, earlier this week, agreed to resume their joint military exercises and expand their exchanges to include Armies, Navies, and Air Forces during the fifth Annual Defence Dialogue held in Beijing. Defence ties between the two Asian giants were earlier suspended for almost a year after China refused to issue a visa to the then head of the Indian Northern Command.

Also recently, Xi Jinping in a letter had assured Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that his country would pay "great importance" to developing bilateral ties as their cooperation has brought "substantial benefits" to both sides.

"China will, as it has been doing, pay great importance to developing relations with India and expects to carry out close cooperation with India to create a brighter future of their bilateral relations," Xi wrote in a letter to Singh last week.

Former ambassador Zhang Yan, who served for four years in India, has been appointed as the 6th Executive Director of the Asia-Europe Foundation.

China's claim over Arunachal Pradesh to counter India on Dalai Lama: Pema Jungney

KOLKATA: China's claim over Arunachal Pradesh is a tool to counter India's support to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan cause, former speaker of Tibetan parliament-in-exile, Pema Jungney, has said.

"It is the strategic policy of China to stop India from supporting our cause. They use their unethical claim over Aksai Chin, Pakistan's claim over Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as a tool to counter India's support to the cause of free Tibet and the Dalai Lama," he said here.

"The issues of J and K, Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet are totally different. J and K and Arunachal are integral parts of India. But Tibet was a free country till the late 1950s," he said.

Claiming that 95 Tibetans have immolated themselves in protest against Chinese rule in Tibet, Jungney said protests against Chinese rule would continue as long as autonomous status was not obtained.

He said only an independent investigation by the UN could bring out the condition of human rights in Tibet.

"In Tibet the condition of human rights is very bad. We have been making appeals in the international forum for the last several decades. We want an independent investigation into the condition of human rights in Tibet by the UN. Only then the real picture will come out," said Jungney, who is the longest serving MP of Tibetan parliament-in-exile since 1988.

"We want to talk to the new Chinese regime. But they are not at all interested in talking to us. We want an autonomous status, where education, health, industry will be controlled by Tibetans and defence, international affairs will be controlled by China," he said.

Thanking India for its continuous support to the cause of Tibet, Jungney sought India's help to the Tibetan parliament-in-exile to formulate world opinion on Tibet.

"In Tibet no foreign press is allowed. They have blocked all satellite and communication systems so that no news reaches the outside world," he said.

The members of Tibetan parliament-in-exile are on a tour to meet Indian political leaders to sensitise them about Tibet.

The Dalai Lama and top scientists gather in Mundgod for Mind and Life conference

DHARAMSHALA, January 16: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama is scheduled to take part in extensive discussions beginning tomorrow with some of the world’s top scientists and philosophers on topics ranging from quantum physics to neuroscience to Buddhist and Western understanding of consciousness.

The Dalai Lama arrived in south India today from New Delhi to take part in the Mind and Life XXVI: Mind, Brain and Matter - Critical Conversations Between Buddhist Thought and Science to be held from January 17-22 at the Drepung Loseling Monastic University in Mundgod Tibetan settlement, Karnataka state.

The six-day event will bring together 20 of the world’s foremost scientists and philosophers with His Holiness and other senior Tibetan scholars in the attendance of several thousand monks and nuns from numerous Tibetan monastic centers of learning.

According to the organisers, the conference will engage in important questions of mutual interest and challenge such as the fundamental nature of our physical world, the problem of consciousness, the nature and workings of our mind, and the interface of contemplative practice and scientific research.

With two sessions each day, scientific and the classical Buddhist philosophical methods of inquiry will be studied, in addition to selected topics in quantum physics, neuroscience, and Buddhist and contemporary Western views of consciousness.

The conference also aims to offer an educational forum, whereby the monastic students can learn about the historical development of science, and how science has come to shape the way we understand our world.

Science studies have been very recently introduced in the highest examinations conducted by the Gelukpa University.

Monks studying in the final four years of the regular monastic study programme and the first two years of the Geshe Lharampa degree curriculum, which is equivalent to doctorate of Philosophy, are now be required to appear for science examinations over a spread of six years, beginning 2014.

The conference is being jointly organised by Mind and Life Institute, Emory-Tibet Science Initiative, and the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.

Live Webcasts of the conference from January 17-22 from 9 am - 11:30 am IST and 1 pm - 3:30pm IST will be available here.

UP Minister writes to the Dalai Lama, Pledges to raise Tibet

DHARAMSHALA, January 15: A senior minister in India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, has pledged to raise the issue of Tibet in the Indian Parliament.

Shivpal Singh Yadav, Minister of Public Works Department, made the pledge in a letter addressed to the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, which he issued to a visiting Tibetan parliamentary delegation in the state capital Lucknow.

In the letter, the senior leader of the ruling Samajwadi Party has expressed his support to the Tibetan cause, objected China’s failed policies in Tibet, and vowed to raise the Tibetan issue in the Indian Parliament.

The north zone Tibetan parliamentary delegation, after successfully lobbying with Indian leaders and leading awareness campaigns in the northern states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttranchal, met with several leaders across party lines in Uttar Pradesh.

Pushing for international intervention in the ongoing crisis in Tibet, the Tibetan delegation met with leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, and Congress Party. According to the delegation members, Indian leaders across the spectrum expressed their solidarity and support for Tibet.

Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, MP Dawa Tsering said, “We have got support from the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh and even assurances from the ruling party in other states. We hope to get support from the entire nation that has helped us keep out culture and tradition alive.”

Tibetans in Lucknow staging a public protest as part of the parliamentary lobbying campaign.

As part of the campaign, around fifty Indians, including state officials, intellectuals, historians, and social servants took part in a discussion on Tibet over the weekend.

The discussion concluded with a pledge of not using 'Made in China' products until the Chinese government resolves the crisis in Tibet, provides basic human rights to Tibetans in Tibet and returns to India land grabbed by invading Chinese forces during the 1962 border war.

The lobbying campaign in Uttar Pradesh concluded with a public rally by local Tibetans in the capital city.

The Tibetan parliamentary delegation will now take their campaign to the Indian state of Bihar.

The Dharamshala based Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile launched the month long all-India lobbying campaign aimed at garnering wider support for international intervention in the ongoing crisis inside Tibet.

Three Tibetan parliamentary delegations are currently on a nation-wide lobbying campaign, meeting Indian leaders and the public, apprising them on the ongoing wave of self-immolations in Tibet, which continued into the new year with the fiery death of a Tibetan youth, Tsering Tashi, on January 12 in eastern Tibet. The self-immolators have demanded freedom and the return of the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Four-day discourse by The Dalai Lama ends

VARANASI: The four-day discourse on 'Bodhicharyavtar' delivered by the Tibetan spiritual leader, The Dalai Lama, at the Central University of Tibetan Studies, Sarnath ended on Thursday. Besides the local students and Buddhist monks from far off places, the students and foreign delegates from various other universities and colleges were also present on the occasion.

The Dalai Lama arrived on January 6. He delivered discourses from January 7 to 10. He also gave 'diksha' on Thursday. He will address the staff and students of CUTS on Friday and meet with a special foreign delegation on January 12. Before leaving for New Delhi he will inaugurate the three-day international conference of Asian Buddhist Forum on 'Buddhism and Society'.

Indian government approves transfer of Tibetan schools to exile administration

DHARAMSHALA, January 10: In a major announcement today, the Indian Union Cabinet approved the transfer of schools run by the Central Tibetan Schools Administration to the Department of Education of the Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administration.

Indian Finance Minister P Chidambaram while making the announcement at a regular press briefing a few hours ago said the move was aimed at achieving a “better focus” on the educational needs of the students.

The much-anticipated transfer of schools from CTSA under by the Human Resource Department of the Indian central government, is slated to take over a three year period. However, the India central government will continue to fund the schools.

As indicated earlier, FM Chidambaram confirmed that the Indian teaching and non-teaching staff of CTSA would be “given an option to join the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan/ Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti / Central Board of Secondary Education /Demonstration schools of National Council of Educational Research and Training as and when CTSA schools are transferred to DoE, CTA.”

“CTA would be provided funds at the rate of Rs. 43 crore per annum plus an annual increment of 5 percent to CTA. The transfer would benefit 2220 residential students and 6455 day scholars through better focus on their educational needs,” Chidambaram said.

“There would be a potential saving of Rs. 69.29 crore for the Government of India over a 5 year period.”

CTSA was established as a Society in 1961 with the objective of establishing, managing and running schools for educating the children of Tibetan refugees who migrated to India while preserving Tibetan culture and heritage and promoting the Tibetan language.

However, concerns over the gradual deterioration of the quality of education and academic performance in these schools prompted demands for a handover of the schools to the Tibetan administration, which has done a reasonably good job of managing a number of its own schools.

Mid last year, the Department of Education of CTA confirmed submitting a “detailed takeover proposal” to CTSA, which was later forwarded to the HRD Ministry.

The Education Department further noted its “consistent efforts to take over the administration of Tibetan schools from the CTSA for an all-round management of education and welfare of these schools.”

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, the elected head of the Tibetan people, who is also the Kalon for Education Department is believed to have consistently raised the issue of the transfer of schools during his meetings with CTSA chairman and other senior Indian leaders.

This move is seen by many as a reiteration of the close inner-working relation and the trust that the Indian government has on the exile Tibetan administration led by a democratically elected leadership.

Dalai Lama to return to Kumbh after 12 years

The spiritual leader of the Tibetans, the Dalai Lama, will be staying here during Kumbh for three days in February. The last time he visited Kumbh was in 2001. This time, he will be delivering discourses, meeting spiritual leaders and also participate in a meeting by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. A spokesperson for Himalaya Baudh Sanskritik Sansthan, which has been allotted land in the Mela area to set up a camp for the Lamas, said that the Dalai Lama would be inaugurating the camp where around 250 Lamas are expected to come.

Allahabad spokesperson of VHP Pawan Srivastava said that a meeting of various religions, including Jains and Buddhists, in which the Dalai Lama would be participating, has been called on February 5.

Fight against ‘Dalai Lama clique’ must continue: Politburo member Yu

DHARAMSHALA, January 9: China’s new leadership is showing no signs of softening its stance on Tibet with one of it newly selected politburo standing committee members calling for continuing the “fight against the Dalai Lama clique.”

Yu Zhengsheng, one of China’s seven top leaders, who was appointed last November along with Xi Jinping, made those remarks while on an inspection tour in Kardze region of eastern Tibet.

"The fight against the Dalai Lama clique should continue in order to create a favorable social and political environment for economic development and the improvement of people's well-being," China’s state news agency Xinhua quoted Yu as saying.

His visit to Tibet and comments on the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama marks the first by a member of the newly appointed Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Addressing a seminar held with “Tibetan Buddhist representatives,” Yu called on monks and nuns to “support the government's efforts to manage monasteries in accordance with the law” and also encouraged them to be “patriotic and observe the law and monastic rules.”

"The government should offer public services to monasteries while enhancing their management, as well as help Tibetan Buddhism to correspond with socialist society," Yu said.

During his inspection tour from January 6 to 8, Yu is said to have visited “herdsmen, poverty-stricken villagers, and a middle school” and called for the improvement of infrastructure in Tibet and increase in incomes of farmers and herdsmen.

Protest against China’s rule in Tibet has escalated over the years with the region witnessing a wave of self-immolations and mass protests. Since 2009, as many as 95 known Tibetans have set themselves in fire in Tibet demanding freedom and return of the Dalai Lama from exile.

China’s top leader Xi Jinping, when he visited Tibet’s capital Lhasa in July 2011, had promised to "smash" any attempts to destabilise Tibet and walked the party line of fighting against "separatist activities" linked to the Dalai Lama.

Speaking in front of the Potala Palace, which is the Dalai Lama's traditional seat, Xi had called on the country to “thoroughly fight against separatist activities by the Dalai clique by firmly relying on all ethnic groups... and completely smash any plot to destroy stability in Tibet and jeopardise national unity."

"The extraordinary development of Tibet over the past 60 years points to an irrefutable truth: Without the Chinese Communist Party, there would have been no new China, no new Tibet."

Your Call with Dalai Lama: full transcript

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New Delhi: On Your Call, Dalai Lama takes on some questions from across the country, including one from Narayana Murthy of Infosys. Below is the full transcript of the interview.

NDTV: Traditionally we celebrate the arrival of a new year, but in the beginning of this new year, India is a country united in grief and anger against the brutal rape of a young girl. On this special episode of Your Call I am joined by a very special guest, the one man who can perhaps give us some sense of peace as we try to comprehend the brutal happenings around us, the Dalai Lama. It's a time when in India there is a great sense of grief and anger because of what happened to a young girl. What would your message be Your Holiness, at a time like this?

Dalai Lama: Of course, firstly, such incidents are really very sad, very sad. Now India is a huge country and with long history. I think a very civilized culture heritage. India had a culture of non-violence, Ahimsa, at least two to three thousand years ago. They had in modern times during freedom fight, difficult period. The Indian leaders follow thousand years' old principles, then also, religious harmony on the basis of mutual understanding is also very much alive. So now I think overall picture of India, I think the material development with modern education increasing or developed, then it's very helpful, but at the same time particularly people must pay more serious attention. You see the modernisation including education and thousand years old your own traditional values, these things are the basis of moral principal. Now that is lacking. I think they are neglected. Now over 53 years India is my home now. So big towns, big buildings, a lot of cars, lot of facilities are much improved even in my own place Dharamshala. Over 50 years it is much changed, but in meantime like these incidents and also lot of corruptions, injustice of activities here and there. Now people particularly people must think more seriously how to keep your thousand year old tradition. Basically the human values, these are very important.

NDTV: As a society, how do we regain our moral compass? I have some questions Your Holiness from some young protestors who wanted to ask you some questions. Let's hear what they have to say

Question 1: Right now in the situation where this girl has died a terrible death because of her horrendous rape. The public is baying for their blood, How do we argue with them against the death penalty which I'm against and which I think you as a Buddhist are also against?

NDTV: We see so much anger. People want the death penalty. How do we convert this anger into something constructive?

Dalai Lama: Actually, my own sort of belief since I think few decades some international organisations started a movement banning the death penalty. I'm one of the signatures so that's my basic stand, but then in case to case countries are putting their own law. So you have to deal according to your own law.

NDTV: You of course you have signed and Buddhism is against violence and you are against the death penalty. Leaving aside the issues of laws in India, many have argued that the death penalty can be a deterrent or it will make sure that crimes against women come to an end or it can work as the extreme punishment. They have cited the Middle East and Arab countries where the crime rate is much lower. Why are you against the death penalty?

Dalai Lama: Firstly because life is precious so ahimsa means respect for precious life so don't harm. That's the idea of Ahimsa. So according to that if you shorten life, it's not good and also it's a form of violence but in particular circumstances like abortion, basically it's the form of violence. So we should not do it, we should not implement the death penalty. Sometime back I think in Tihar jail the lady police tried to introduce some meditation.

NDTV: Kiran Bedi?

Dalai Lama: Yes. So that's the proper way. Death sentence means it's the punishment physically. It won't help. Look the violent method everywhere all over the world. Sincere motivation is a good goal. The result of violence is always complicated. So, therefore, education and also educate these criminal people. Let them eventually realize their own mistake. Very negative individual through awareness and more education eventually become very good citizen. So that's the proper way. That's my view.

Question 2: How do you keep your faith in the fundamental goodness of human beings when horrible things like this are happening all the time and we cannot do anything to stop them?

Dalai Lama: Seven billion human beings, if all seven billion human beings do this kind of thing then I will lose my faith. Perhaps I think 95 per cent of human beings still have human nature, affection, sense of concern about others well-being, still there are. Now only thing we should do is make awareness. Respect others' life, helping other people is actually the best way to fulfill your own happy life. Harming other people, bullying other including raping will destroy your own good future life. So, therefore, all these depend on awareness, education.

NDTV: We focus so much of course on the problem in India right now, but I also have questions from some young Tibetans for you, so let's just hear what they have to say

Question 3: My question to His Holiness The 14 Dalai Lama is that Tibet was an independent nation and now it's not an independent nation. Is there a possibility of seeing an independent nation in the near future?

NDTV: Many young Tibetans want independence.

Dalai Lama: Yes. Historically Tibet is a separate nation. There is no question but look at the future. Firstly, look at the spirit of European union, common interest is more important than individual because individual's interest very much link with common interest. So one time Vinoba ji, he once expressed concept of ABC, that mean A Afghanistan, B Burma, C, Sri Lanka, then India, Pakistan. All these countries should set up some kind of pattern. So these are, I feel, long term, long run realistic approach, if that kind of idea materializes, then Afghanistan today will be much stable and also Bangladesh and Pakistan. So, therefore, yes we are a separate nation but not necessarily just insist on that. Let us try to build new kind of genuine union. If that fails then it's something different. So far our middle approach brought lot of support from Chinese people, mainly Chinese intellectuals. After 2008 crisis we noticed over 1 thousand articles in Chinese language written by Chinese. All fully supported our middle approach and very critically about their own government policy. In anyway, support from Chinese people, from Chinese intelligence is very necessary. Emotionally many young people say, "oh we want independence" they never show us how to achieve independence step by step. How much support from Chinese people, how much support from Indian government? How much support from European union, how much support from the United States? Thinking realistically is important. Saying independence, independence is not easy.

NDTV: Are you optimistic about the new Head Premier Xi Jinping? Are you optimistic?

Dalai Lama: Too early to say but for their own interest they have to follow more realistic approach. Using force is outdated, more violence, more suppression, more resentment, that's logical. Therefore, I'm quite sure the new leadership, with help of these intellectual people, has to follow, as things are being stated, seeking truth from fact sooner or later the more realistic approach. The so-called minorities problems like Tibetan problem, Mongolian problem some other problem, they follow more realistic approach, more realistic approach and basically equal terms. Most times he emphasised equality. He always said against Han chauvinism. In recent decades that word disappeared.

NDTV: Even though you retired in a sense, whatever you say is still held as the word of God in a sense for the entire Tibetans and many have asked about the issue of your succession, and China has made it very clear they want to decide. You have said that let us see what will happen, the process of reincarnation. Some may say that you even appoint somebody before your death, which has never happened before. What is your view on this?

Dalai Lama: 2-3 years ago I made it very clear after thorough discussion with head of Tibetan Buddhist tradition, different tradition. Occasionally we gathered; we discussed about future of Dalai Lama institution or re-incarnation. Then I think two years ago we made one statement with full consensus with leaders that the essential thing is around my age, around late 90's then I will discuss with people and finalise. One time in America some media asked me about my reincarnation then I took my glass and looked at his face and said my reincarnation is quite a hurry or not much? Then he said no hurry.

NDTV: No hurry at all, but of course you said who knows, may be it's a woman, that may be a nice break

Dalai Lama: Actually as early as '69, in my formal statement I mentioned the very institution of Dalai Lama should continue or not is up to Tibetan people that's the principle. After 10 years or 15 years if the situation is such that the majority of Tibetan people feel now Dalai Lama institution is no longer much relevant, then the institution automatically will seize. In case majority of people want to keep this institution then the question how to carry the successor, that also is, either as you follow the traditional way or some senior sort of Tibetan Lamas, they are sort of successor and reincarnation also, you see in Tibetan history, even today this is some reincarnated Lama you see actually appointed by the previous life while still alive. So you chose through investigation, mystery way of investigation, then they found some children quite fit for their successor and then appoint. That's also possible.

NDTV: But China will make this an issue of control.

Dalai Lama: That I think is mainly a political reason now that I already retired. Quite popular fourteenth Dalai Lama also now retired already, so fifteenth Dalai Lama you see they're not so important in political field. So then their interests actually don't much reasons. In the past there was some Chinese emperor, actually showing interest about some high Tibetan Lama's. At that time the Emperors themselves are Buddhists, some Emperors actually receiving teaching from some Tibetan Lama, so some spiritually special relations. So then naturally when Dalai Lama passed away, the disciple, she's showing some interest, some involvement, that's natural, you see is possible. Today it's something different purely. It's political reasons, so then I was jokingly telling people the Communists firstly should accept the theory of rebirth, then according that sort of belief they should choose for reincarnation, then logically they have some right to be talking about Dalai Lama's reincarnation

NDTV: You represent God to so many people. The Chinese will describe you in very different terms. You've been described by them some times as a demon, sometimes the Lama who wears Gucci shoes, how do you see yourself?

Dalai Lama: Okay, well Buddhist times some people were very much criticised about Buddha. Jesus Christ also you saw fight a difficult period, so that's normal. And you see my case I think those Chinese officials, actually I had met one Chinese retired sort of official, he told me some Chinese officials who described me as a demon, then that Chinese retired person he told me that statement did not come from his heart but instruction. So the person who gave this instruction also I think do not really believed that, but because of political reason. I usually used to tell people yes they are blaming, I told you, see they blame on me some help to reduce this problem and I am happy

NDTV: What would you say to those who see you as a celebrity spiritual leader, the talk of your friendship with Richard Gere, the talk of the fact that you are so popular on Twitter, they say that you are a celebrity also more than a spiritual leader, what would you say to those people?

Dalai Lama: That also I don't care, some people say God, king nonsense. Some people say demon nonsense. When first time announcement was made about the Nobel Peace Prize, I think it's '89, so a lot of media people came and asked me "what do you feel" and I told I am a simple Buddhist monk no more, no less, no differences and still I am like that

NDTV: You're God for so many people Your Holiness

Dalai Lama: That's their view. If they believe, if they get some benefit from that view okay, if those people who considered me truly as a demon, if they are really happy, okay doesn't matter.

NDTV: I have some question for Your Holiness from Kolkata now, so let's travel there and see what they have to say

Question 4: Hi I am Raja Guha from Kolkata, Sir I have a small question for you. As per the recent newspaper reports the Chinese police has been blaming the Dalai Lama, India for the self-immolation and the various incidents, which are happening in Tibet. What will be your take on that?

Dalai Lama: Yes I received this information. Deep inside I really feel like laughing. That's the indication of desperation, they really find it difficult to explain outside world and also they put lot of restriction about this information to their own people. Now these days I always keep mentioning when I met some Chinese, 1.3 billion Chinese people have every right to know the reality, 1.3 billion Chinese people once know the reality they also have the ability to judge what is right and what is wrong. Therefore censorship is immoral, fooling their own people, let them know whether good or bad, let them judge that's very important. Then second thing, the Chinese Judiciary system must promote or uplift up to international judiciary system, then millions of Chinese poor people will really get some protection. So these two things I think are very important so. Therefore, it's the censorship and also the distorted information. I already mentioned you see, I think those people who make these sort of false statement, they themselves know these are not true. I was told after People's Daily mentioned all sort of accusations about me, there is a lot of response from Chinese people, intellectuals, a negative sort of expression to their own newspaper, it's okay it doesn't matter.

NDTV: But the tragedy, these self-immolations Your Holiness, initially there wasn't a clear indication. There was silence because of the feeling that this was also for a cause they felt very strongly in. You have afterwards condemned it, but Chinese argument is that self-immolation is completely against all Buddhist tenants. How do you actually see the people who have killed themselves in these self-immolations? Do you see them as martyrs, are they martyrs for you?

Dalai Lama: Strictly speaking from Buddhist viewpoint, ultimately it depends on motivation. Case to case we cannot generalise something wrong or something right. We cannot say. It depends on individual motivation so that we don't know. Last year when this first happened I was in Japan and I told time has come, the Chinese government must carry thorough investigation, what is the cause of these sad events? These events are symptom of some cause. I feel very sad, but these people carrying such decision. Not due to drunken state, not due to family problem but I think through generations, 2-3 generations they really suffered a lot. So in order to say something I must have something to offer them, then I can say, but I have nothing. I feel very sorry and can do prayer. Otherwise I can do nothing. The Chinese government can do but they simply blame on others. It won't solve the problem. So the time has come they should start thorough investigation, what are the causes for these events. They have to think more seriously about these events.

NDTV: 95 people, the number actually is so large. Would you appeal to them not to do this? We have seen young girls, monks do this, would you appeal to them not to do this?

Dalai Lama: Yes I mentioned earlier. This question is politically sensitive. Political leaders have expressed right from the beginning, very clearly we never encourage such acts, but at the same time if we have something to offer them then I can say you should not do this. We can do this way but nothing to offer them. Ask doctors or consult people now, please I cannot no longer bear this painful experience then please carry mercy killing. It's very difficult.

NDTV: Do you feel that it's a diplomatic issue that countries like India, the US must do more on this issue, must put more pressure on China for this? Because presumably the people who are killing themselves are frustrated, feeling that the Tibetan movement is going nowhere. Do you think there must be now more global pressure and also pressure from India?

Dalai Lama: Many countries publicly or behind the scene they are already pursuing. Actually this boundary problem is still there. India is our Guru. Sometimes I tell my Indian audience we are your chela. You are our Guru. When chela has some problem, Guru also has some more or less responsibility. Indian public right from the beginning, I always remember Jai Prakash Narayan and Acharya Kripalani, these people really came forward about Tibet problem. Then all Indian leaders are showing us their concern. In meantime how much India can do. That's also a real question. There is limitation. United States also faces some kind of limitation.

NDTV: Some questions Your Holiness from Mumbai

Question 5: Hi I'm Tanya from St Xavier's. Being such a great world religious leader I want to know what are your thoughts on this spread of religious terrorism around the world?

Dalai Lama: It's clear sign people generally are lacking about moral principles including those people who say I'm follower of this religion or that religion. Judging their act I don't think these are serious believers.

NDTV: The words Islamic terrorism, Hindu fundamentalism ...

Dalai Lama: Yes every religion like Christianity, Islam, is different. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism all talk about compassion, forgiveness, tolerance and everybody say human brothers, sisters like that. So therefore these people not only today but even in past history used name of religion but evoked some violent method or some different things. Their aim is economy reasons or power, political power so simply they use name of religion. They manipulate religion, so I cannot accept these people who carry violent activities in their own religion. I think they are essentially non-believers. There is too much emotion. If they are genuine believer of God or Buddha then they must implement compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, then there will be no violence.  Basically you cannot blame these people. There is too much self-cantered atmosphere. If they don't care about others rights, and then compassion, forgiveness is simply lip service. Sometimes, I publicly tell people unless we become very serious otherwise religion will teach us practice of hypocrisy, saying nice things, doing something different is totally wrong. Essentially these are non-believers.

Question 6: Hello I'm from St Xavier's college, my questions is little of a personal nature. I want to know if you have ever felt any kind of self-doubts or if your religious views have always been that the ones they are right now?

Dalai Lama: Buddha himself stated 'oh my follower should not accept my teaching out of faith, out of devotion, but rather thorough investigation and experiment, the scientific way of approach.' So all the Nalanda masters like Nagarjuna, Aryadeva, Asanga, Chandrakirti, all these great masters of Nalanda, even Buddha's own words, they carry investigation whether Buddha's statement is acceptable or not. So they are always based on logic and experiment so, therefore, I follow that pattern, tradition. For example Mount Meru, many Buddhists no longer accept that

NDTV: Really?

Dalai Lama: Yes I hope. I still bully Buddhists. So we have liberty. We must accept the reality. The round world, now scientifically through calculation, through observation we actually see that. So the flat world, in centre Mount Meru and sun and moon go like that. As a Buddhist you cannot accept that. Basically for noble truth, to truth and the concept of inter-Tibetan, the Sanskrit word prasannapada, it's very scientific, so more experience, more talk with scientist or non-believer. My belief in inter-Tibetanacy, which is prasannapada, my faith increases. Many scientists really found that concept. Everything inter-Tibetan and due to its own causes and conditions. No Creator of course. Religion based on concept of Creator, that's also wonderful, very effective. Very powerful, that approach is also very good. But Buddhist approach and Jainism have different way of approach.

NDTV: Besides the faith in Buddhist teaching as well, you were discovered, reincarnation at the young age of 6, you are now 76, I think. You have seen the world. Did you ever think, you described yourself as a simple Buddhist monk, did you ever think that maybe one day you would be something different or you could have seen something different, your life could have been different?

Dalai Lama: In this life?

NDTV: In this life, in the last 70 years from a 6 year-old boy to 76, any self-doubt on the path you are on?

Dalai Lama: No. I think more interaction with people including my best friend, with family, lot of problems.

NDTV: It's simpler this way, no wife?

Dalai Lama: No, when I saw my friend. What a trouble

NDTV: The fighting?

Dalai Lama: The fighting about global issues. That's okay, but trouble due to little things, so the celibate way of life. It's really very good. I really believe that. Even in my dreams I always remember I'm a monk, I never felt in dreams I am the Dalai Lama. I always feel I'm one Buddhist monk.

NDTV: You said Your Holiness over 50 years in India. Anything Indianised in you? Any particular food you like, any particularly music?

Dalai Lama: Indian Dal. Indian chapatti. Actually in recent years I discovered myself as the son of India and on one occasion some overseas Chinese media people came to see me. One Chinese asked me little seriously, why you mentioned you are some Vaidya? He thought some political reason maybe he felt this is political reason. Then I told him look my thought, my brain, every cell of my brain filled by Nalanda thought. That's ancient Indian thought, then my physical, I told in last 50 years this body survived by Indian dals, Indian rice, Indian chapatti, so therefore, mentally, physically I belong to this country, so I call myself as son of India.

NDTV: That's wonderful Your Holiness and final question tonight from someone I don't know if you know, a very famous Indian ethical corporate leader, Mr Narayana Murthy of Infosys. He has a question to ask you

Narayana Murthy: Dalai Lama ji, my question to you is how do you define success in life?

Dalai Lama: Meaningful means are social animal. Seven billion human beings are social animals, so when we judge others as a social animals, one individual taking care about rest of the community, we feel good. One individual is always fighting, we feel unhappy, although we are not part of them. Then look at our self we are social animal. In any way we are born on this planet not to create trouble or suffering, therefore, no matter how rich economically and educated, materialistic education and power it creates more problem to others, then your life is really a waste. If your life at least gives some benefit to others, some service like some Christian brothers, sisters, they have totally dedicated their lives for well-being of others. Many spiritual believer as well as non-believer really dedicated their life for well-being of others. Their life is meaningful life. So when their life ends they feel happy, oh I really dedicated my life for well-being of others, I never created any enemy, any trouble for others. On the other hand one billionaire will have too much self-cantered attitude, will bully others, cheat others, then at the end of their life they already know, this money, power is no longer any useful. Then they regret, rest of my life I really created trouble for others, bullied others, cheating others. Then at the end that person I think most probably will be very unhappy and helpless person. So I consider whole life dedicated for the well-being of others then that means fulfilment of your life. So I serve other people as much as possible. That's the right method to fulfil your life and becoming meaningful life.

NDTV: Your Holiness a wonderful message for 2013, thank you so much for joining us on Your Call. Thank you.