An Afternoon with His Holiness The Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama’s arrival and visit with Israelis and Palestinians has touched many people and has been a big news story here. For many people in the world, The Dalai Lama is a symbol of humanity, hope, and vision. For many he is a spiritual leader and teacher. For many he is a symbol of nonviolent resistance and a fighter for self-determination.

The Dalai Lama’s visit comes at a crucial point in the history of Israel-Palestine relations. The formation of a Hamas Parliament and the upcoming Israeli elections seem to have everyone unsure about what will happen in the next few months. The regional and international community’s eyes seemed to be focused on the political developments here. The news of The Dalai Lama’s visit was splashed across the major papers. People have asked him about his advice for Hamas, about his perspective on the ‘Danish cartoons’, and his thoughts about the Israel-Palestine conflict in general.

His responses to these questions are interesting indeed (a link to one of many articles); however, I was fascinated by his response to the fact that both the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority refused to meet him. He explained that this did not bother him and that he was coming to help bridge a gap between people; whether they were top government officials or not did not concern him.

In retrospect, I found this amazing for two reasons. First off, how many other leaders with his stature in the international community visit any country (or any public event!) without SOME ‘big name’ to greet them? Second, were his obviously shrewd political perceptions. He likely received more attention (and got his message out to more people) by continuing his visit despite China’s success in twisting both the Israeli Government and PA’s “arm”. He knows who is doing the voting here, and knew how to reach them.

So, needless to say, when I found out last week that he was coming to visit Holy Land Trust (where I work) in Bethlehem, I was dumbstruck. Are you serious? As a student of Peace and Conflict Studies who is interested in nonviolent direct resistance and the role of religion in conflict and peacebuilding… this was AMAZING! What a great opportunity and what great exposure for the work of Holy Land Trust!

I found out from my coworkers later in the week that The Dalai Lama would not be able to come to the West Bank (for reasons I cannot get into here… but lets just say the Israeli Government was NOT stopping him from coming). But, I was told by a colleague, “we will go for a private visit with him on Sunday instead.” “Ha ha ha”, I laughed, “in my dreams!” “No”, he said, “I’m serious!”… WHAT??

So, I found myself at 2pm this afternoon with eight other Holy Land Trust staff (who our Israeli guests had to pull every string in the book for in order to get them a half-day pass into Jerusalem) in a Hotel meeting room, practicing how to greet The Dalai Lama and how to hold the traditional Tibetan scarves that he would put around our necks.

He arrived with a small entourage with a huge smile. We greeted each other and then walked into a private room. My coworkers were the only “official” Palestinian delegation from the West Bank or Gaza that he would meet (as far as I know). So, as he said, this meeting was very significant for him.

Here are some of the thoughts that His Holiness The Dalai Lama, shared with us in his introduction and in response to our questions (these quotes paraphrased from different parts of our discussion, and are intended to give an impression of our conversation. They are not to be reprinted as exact quotes from His Holiness)…

“In meetings with Israelis and Palestinians, my message is the same: Nonviolence, Compassion. When there is a problem we have two choices. Either remain indifferent or face it, engage it. To remain indifferent is too selfish, I think, and also eventually you will suffer because you are all of society. You will suffer. We must face or confront with sense of community and sense of responsibility. Once you face it you have two choices. With hatred and violence, short sighted, narrow minded; that’s one choice. Another choice: long-term interest, long-term future, holistic view. Accordingly, nonviolence out of compassion. Respect other’s rights, respect other’s interests. Two choices. The first choice, I think many people do that. Result? Endless bloodshed, endless violence. Violence out of violence, more violence, more violence.”

“The whole area owned by one group is impossible. You have to live together side-by-side. Therefore, violence is illogical. Nonviolence is the only way. It may take time. Sometimes, you may not achieve your satisfaction completely but that is the only way. Otherwise, I have no direct interest about this situation. I have enough crisis at home!”

“Earlier this morning I asked a group at a university to change society, to change concepts through education. How many schools exist where the Palestinians and Jews study together and live together? They told me there were several schools where exactly 50:50, 50% Israeli, 50% Palestinian… I always have the strong feeling that whenever there is conflict in the name of religion or race, we should make a special effort to bring people together, live together, play together... Then I think a new person will come.”

“The stronger side must extend a hand, then the weaker side let them feel safe, not miss the opportunity. It is wrong to expect a good gesture from the weaker side. The stronger side must extend a hand.”

“My concept of sense of universal responsibility. Wherever we have a problem: South Africa, Northern Ireland, or Canada (referring to Quebec), and Australia and America and northern Taiwan (referring to First Nations and native people’s suffering). I always am showing my sense of concern in these areas.”

“It is wrong to generalize about all of Muslims. Some Muslim individuals become terrorists, many terrorist cases come from Muslim community. This cannot generalize or symbolize whole Muslim community. I have many Muslim friends who live in Tibet. There is no record or quarrel with these Muslim friends… Please, don’t consider every Muslim a terrorist… No, we should not think along these lines.”

A group of Israelis joined us in the room after about an hour. The Dalai Lama conveyed his messages to the whole group of Israelis, Palestinians, and their supporters. Throughout the meeting, he was in a great mood and left us by joking that “tonight I am leaving, so all problems are in your hands!” He said that in the future: “when you feel that my presence is something helpful. Something useful. Even small contributions. I’m ready. I’m always ready.”

A huge thanks to my friends at Holy Land Trust who invited me to be with them today and to the Israeli Friends of Tibet who coordinated The Dalai Lama’s visit and hosted us.

The thoughts from The Dalai Lama I tried to convey here are a sampling of our discussion today. I would be more than happy to talk further with people who read this Blog about the visit (email me at ccowpert@yahoo.com), or about how they can contact Holy Land Trust for more information or to come and visit the West Bank!

• Holy Land Trust
• Friends of Tibet
• Pictures of the meeting