The Week India – July 14, 2019

JULY 14, 2019 • THE WEEK 35

you remain like a vegetable and there
will be no progress. Th e feeling of
survival of an individual or commu-
nity is the prime mover of human
evolution. But human beings have
a brain and they must use ego with
wisdom.

You have expressed concern about
climate change.
In Tibet, I am told by the elder
people that the snow-capped peaks
no longer have a lot of snow. I was
concerned when president Trump
withdrew from the Paris climate
accord.
Tibet is known as the world’s third
pole as it holds the largest number of
glaciers and snow after the Arctic and
Antarctic. If Tibet becomes a desert,
India will face a lot of problem. It is
from the Himalayan mountains that
the rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and
Indus are fl owing. Today, politically,
Tibet is a part of China. But there are
also millions of users of these rivers

in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh,

and these countries have a right to

express concern over Tibet’s ecolo-

gy. Th e concern should be not only

at the government level, but at the

public level [also].

Today, the young Tibetans are

going to the west.

I think that is one sign that modern

education is creating a desire for

more money and economic wellbe-

ing. So, young Tibetans are going to

America, Canada and Europe. Some

of them settle down there, but a lot of

them are also returning after making

some money. I see nothing wrong in

that. I think as far as preservation of

Tibetan identity and culture is con-

cerned, we have preserved it quite

well here as refugees.

Do you think India is doing enough

to learn about and preserve its

ancient culture and tradition?

In India, there is a growing gap

between the rich and the poor. Once,

when I was in Gujarat, I came to

know that so many farmers were

committing suicide as there was

shortage of water. Th ere are so many

rich families living in big cities like

Mumbai and Kolkata and if those

people decide to help, they can cer-

tainly make a change.

Th e rich people in India should

pay more attention to the study of

Indian philosophy and texts rather

than just uttering ‘Ram Ram’ and

doing puja. It is better to create small

libraries and learn about ancient In-

dian philosophy and psychology than

just praying without any knowledge

and performing rituals without un-

derstanding them. In Tibet, we have

over 300 volumes of all Indian texts

translated into the Tibetan language.

Do you have a message for India?

I am grateful to the Indian govern-

ment [and leaders such as] Nehru,

Indira Gandhi, Morarji Desai, Nar-

asimha Rao and the [later] gener-

ation of leaders, and also Indian

offi cials who have been very sym-

pathetic towards Tibet. Today, India

and Tibet are very close not only for

political or economic reasons, but

also spiritually and emotionally. I

always say, historically, we consider

India as our guru and we Tibetans as

chela (follower). Tibetan people have

showed India that they have kept its

tradition safe, especially at the time

when British rulers in India neglect-

ed it. So, we have showed India that

we are not only chela, but the most

trusted and reliable chela.

What do you want to tell the Tibet-

an refugees today?

For over 60 years the Tibetan refu-

gees have carried the Tibetan spirit

with them. Wherever they have lived,

in America or Europe, the Tibetan

spirit has been strong and has served

as an example to the rest of the peo-

ple. Th ey have shown the world that

we are honest, truthful and peaceful.

China has called you a separatist.

Even after 60 years, they look at you

with suspicion.

Let them say I am a separatist. Th at

will be helpful as I will continue

to live in India peacefully. If they

sincerely ask me to return—although

on many occasions to some Chinese

individuals I mentioned that I prefer

freedom—and if I return to China, I

[will be] put in a big house with no

freedom. Th ere is no use. I am happy

to live in India for the rest of my life.

Among all civilisations—whether it is

Chinese or Egyptian—it is the Indus

Valley civilisation that has produced

the best thinkers and philosophers.

I consider Buddhism and Hinduism

as twin brother and sister. India’s civ-

ilisation is something wonderful and

should be known for its contribution

to the world.

HOLY ENCOUNTER

The Dalai Lama meets visitors at his

residence in Mcleodganj