Totally retired, no connection
with political responsibilities: Dalai Lama
Phayul August 25, 2015 Tenzin
Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, August 25: The Tibetan
spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has reiterated his
position of being “totally retired” from politics. In a brief
interview published August 21, 2015 with Religion and Ethics
Newsweekly, an affiliate of PBS network at his residence here, the
Tibetan leader who turned 80 in July said, “You see, in 2011 I
totally retired. Now no connection with political
responsibility.”
While the Tibetan leader rarely makes any political statements
during his visits within India or abroad he continues to be an
outspoken aura divulging fluent and precise one liners on a range
of topics from his reincarnation to his commitment to his message
of secular and genuine practice of compassion.
Asked if his reincarnation is as big an issue as it is being
discussed the world over, he simply noted, “Many people showing
interest about the institution of Dalai Lama. For me, not much
interest.”
He added that he had made it clear as early as 1969 that the
Tibetan people would have the final say as to whether the
institution of Dalai Lama should continue or not.
His Holiness has expressed on several occasions in the past that
his reincarnation would be purely subject to the need and validity
of the situation then, saying that he would consult other prominent
lamas and the Tibetan people when he reaches 90 years old to arrive
at a decision. He hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a non Tibetan
or even a female Dalai Lama in the future. “Inner values and world
peace and happy world, this is our common responsibility. About
next life is individual business. Our concept of God, concept of
nirvana, concept of next life is private business.”
Emphasizing the need for religious harmony which he has taken up as
one of his three commitments, he said, “All major religions teach
the practice of compassion, love, forgiveness, and tolerance. If
people who really, seriously, sincerely follow their own tradition,
then brings inner peace. Through that way, genuine peace.”
While pointing out that the Communist leaders in China who are
supposed to stand by the principle of Marxism have failed to uphold
the genuine Marxist ideals, His Holiness highlighted the shift in
position of Chinese leaders including President Xi Jinping who
recently acknowledged a role for its religious traditions,
including Buddhism.
“It’s unthinkable, a Communist, atheist leader of that express
publicly importance of Buddhism is something quite unique. So this,
I think the reality now shows [that] just material development
alone will not get satisfaction to the public, to the
people”.
Responding to a question about China’s allegation against him being
a ‘splittist’, His Holiness said, “We seeking genuine autonomy, not
seeking independence”.