Dalai Lama blasted: Calling on West to negotiate with ISIS

Aik TC SG

Dalai Lama blasted after calling on the West to NEGOTIATE with crazed ISIS jihadis

NICK GUTTERIDGE Dec 7, 2015 Express.co.uk

THE Dalai Lama faced fierce criticism today after he said that the only way to defeat Islamic State (ISIS) is to NEGOTIATE a peace with them.

In a controversial interview the world’s most prominent Buddhist - characterised as a religion of peace - said education and not war is the key to defeating the jihadi movement. The spiritual leader raised eyebrows when he insisted that the West “must engage in dialogue with ISIS” and said leaders should still “have respect” for the terror group despite its sickening crimes against humanity.

But his comments were savagely criticised in some quarters, with people suggesting the holy leader should be sent to negotiate with ISIS himself.

Speaking to Italian newspaper La Stampa, the Dalai Lama also praised Germany for taking in record numbers of refugees despite strong criticism of Angela Merkel’s open door policy.

Asked how ISIS can be defeated, he replied: "Through dialogue. You have to listen, understand, still have respect for others. There is no other way."

He then added: ”We must do it with your heart. Be compassionate. Educate. Germany has been very generous to accept refugees, feed them and dress them, but now will have to educate them."

"Every man has his own religion and its truth, but in a community there must be so many religions and so many truths. Islam is a religion of peace, the intolerant damage their beliefs and their brothers."GETTY

But the comments were widely criticised on social media, where users accused the spiritual leader of failing to grasp the severity of the threat posed by ISIS.

One Twitter user fumed: “Yes, let's send the Dalai Lama to ISIS as an ambassador, then.”

Nicholas Jackson wrote: “ISIS will see your dialogue and raise you an AK-47.”

Diogo Maia tweeted a picture of jihadis barbarically killing prisoners by lowering them into fires, adding: “Lets go, Dalai Lama. We can 'dialogue' with ISIS at this barbecue.”

Another user, Rob Kent, branded the spiritual leader a “terrorist sympathiser”, presumably as a response to David Cameron’s blistering attack against opponents of Syrian airstrikes.

It is not the first time the Dalai Lama has landed in hot water over controversial comments.

In September it emerged that the spiritual leader once said his successor could only be a woman if they were “very attractive” otherwise they would be “not much use”.

Critics have also savaged writings in which he equates abortion to murder and calls homosexuality a sin and a crime, whilst noting that he appears to significantly change his tone when talking to Western audiences.

Last week MPs voted in favour of extending RAF airstrikes against ISIS to Syria, meaning Britain has joined a growing US-led coalition aiming to wipe out the evil jihadis.

Russian president Vladimir Putin is also carrying out his own bombing campaign against the terrorists, who have suffered significant losses in recent months.

Weychin SG

Generally when one perceives it is a superior power, instinct is to use blunt force, much akin to smashing a cockroach.

Only when repeated attempts has failed and the the "greater" power tires, then only does one resort to diplomacy. Such is the prevalent attitude on any entrenched authority.

Being a Buddhist, we should not see things in polar opposites, although it is a very easy sentiment to put ourselves in. If we are unable to put our prejudices aside, we easily fall into the trap of self righteousness, blinded our pride and act out without humility.

It should for lack of engagement that we allow things in an impasse. There must apparently be a deep dissatisfaction that such a violent movement arose. Yet we refuse to address it.

Are we so self absorbed that we find such unhappiness, intolerable, a nuisance in the course of one own self centered pursuit and interest?!

Aik TC SG

Weychin, you have nice thoughts indeed. No doubt many are exasperated by what the Dalai Lama said about negotiating with the ISIS to defeat them. Indeed it would sound rather impossible for anyone to be able to engage the ISIS in any fruitful dialogue.

The image of the thousand hands, thousand eyes Avalokitesvara is a truly fitting visual representation of the value of Compassion. I think basically, he is trying to point out that, compassion, is and should always be an all encompassing and unconditional value to be applied to all regardless what and who they are and their wrong doings. It may not be easy for most of us ordinary folks to comprehend.

Weychin SG

There is a Chinese saying "先禮後兵", using diplomacy before resorting to force. Force should always be the last resort.

Even if we cast our compassion aside, we should never lose our rationale when dealing with any issues we come upon.

Sure, especially within social media, it is so easy shoot our mouths off, hantam this, hammer that, this is not a luxury we allow our leaders to have. To have peace can be as simply as not to wage war.

Because we hold so much prejudices, that we are allowing so much suffering upon others. Why the islamic state is able to attract so many in such a short time, and makes a person lose the humanity that they can inflict so much cruelty and violence.

Discover underlying cause and take away the cause, then the recruitment stops.