Audio recorded at Tibetan Buddhist Institute, Adelaide. Transcript auto-generated and AI-corrected; may contain errors.
About this talk. On May 23, 2002, the Dalai Lama addresses a public audience in Geelong, Australia—his first visit to a regional center in the country—and speaks on universal responsibility and human approaches to world peace. He begins by establishing common ground with his listeners, emphasizing that despite his external titles, he is fundamentally a human being and a Buddhist practitioner. He traces how twentieth-century violence and suffering have taught humanity the value of human rights and self-determination, positioning the twenty-first century as an opportunity for dialogue rather than conflict. The core of his message centers on the development of compassion and a warm heart as tools for individual peace and collective harmony: a narrow self-focused mind amplifies problems and suffering, while genuine concern for others naturally widens perspective and builds resilience. He illustrates this with modern medical evidence showing that those who cultivate compassion enjoy better mental and physical health. He concludes by calling on the younger generation to prioritize dialogue at every level—family, community, national, and international—as the only effective non-violent method for resolving persistent human problems. His tone is direct and accessible, grounded in personal experience and contemporary examples rather than technical Buddhist terminology.
File metadata (for organising)
File: 2023-05-02 – 1A – Public Talk Geelong – HHDL.mp3
UUID: f88d0bdf-df60-4b1f-aa10-a434bc6dba4b
Teacher: HH Dalai Lama
Collection: Dalai Lama Talks
Date: 2023-05-02
Recorded at: Tibetan Buddhist Institute, Adelaide
Words: ~3,494
Ladies and gentlemen, can I start by saying, wow? On behalf of the organizers, I’d like to offer you a warm welcome and a thank you for your generous effort, your support and your energy in welcoming His Holiness, the 14 Dalai Lama of Tibet. To begin today’s events, we have invited Aunty Berta Tuna as the revered elder of the Wathaurong people to offer a traditional welcome to Your Holiness. Thank you very much. Kinvani Bari Wathaurong, Kijarringitchi, Gingin Mao, Wailunitchi, Ba Ngawaringitchi.
In translation it means this is Wathaurong country, welcome, let us all talk together and learn in peace. Your Holiness on behalf of my community it gives me great pleasure to welcome you here to our country. I bear no gifts other than the warmth and sincerity from my indigenous community to your holiness to continue to campaign for spirituality, happiness and peace in the world. Good health, good luck. Thank you.
Today’s events would have not come about if it wasn’t for the hundreds of incredible volunteers and the local support. And they would not have had the honor with the experience if it wasn’t for the strong will, the determination, the persistence and the leadership of one person. Many people have asked why is His Holiness coming to Gelong, the first regional visit ever in Australia. We have to thank with all our hearts a local Tibetan Buddhist monk, the Dalai Lama initiator, Geshe Sonam Tage. Thank you.
Respected venerables, distinguished guests, brothers, and sisters, Welcome to the first ever visit by His Holiness, the fourteenth Dalai Lama to a regional area in Australia, and thank you for joining us. I am sure many of you already know how incredibly fortunate we are to be able to see and hear His Holiness here in Australia. In Tibet, more than 6,000,000 Tibetans have been waiting for over forty years for an opportunity such as is being offered to us here today. And for them, it has still not become a reality. This makes this event so much more precious than many of us realize.
I would like to briefly explain my reasons for inviting the Dalai Lama to visit Australia. Firstly, I thought it would be an appropriate thing to happen as Australia and its people are peaceful and loving. And his his holiness has close connections with many Australians from his last three visits, which have led to a keen interest to hear his message. As a longtime Gelong boy, I am extremely proud of our city and to have the Dalai Lama visit us. Secondly, my goal is not to promote Buddhism or politics especially, but to help promote peace and unity and friendship in Australia by encouraging and inspiring the growth of human potential and qualities, like love, compassion, and kindness, mutual respect, and tolerance.
I believe that Dalai Lama’s teachings help to cultivate these qualities irrespective of whether or not we believe in a religion. When I returned to Tibet in 1994, I asked The His Holiness what my job they should be. He replied that the number one task was to teach young Tibetans not to harm the Chinese. I feel we can place our trust in the Dalai Lama as peacemaker because he not only speaks of peace, but he is a living example of what he teaches. Finally, one of the most important objective is to bring together friends, teachers, and students of peace, the world over so that the combined message, energy would give our world renewed strength and inspiration to make our Global Village a better and a happier place.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all those people whose hard work and generosity have made the tour happen. The board and committee members, the benefactors, friends and sponsors, the volunteers. I would especially like to thank city of Greater Gelong and the people of Gelong for their support which has created the foundation for the inter Australia tour. I feel incredibly grateful that his holiness accepted my invitation to visit Australia, but I have no special qualities. It is the energy that comes from that audience that makes an event such as this become a reality.
Your Holiness, it is my greatest honor and fortune to welcome you on behalf of Australia in general and of the people of Gelong in particular to this beautiful city, your holiness as the spiritual and temporal leader of Tibetans. You have single handedly rescued a people and a culture from extinction as you brought your people to modern culture and education while firmly establishing in timeless values of Buddhist tradition and teachings. For millions of Buddhists around the world, you are the manifestation of Avalokiteśvara, the essence of the compassion of all Buddhas. For the last four decades, you have demonstrated your profound compassion for our world through words and action. You have frequently traveled around the world, emphasizing the need for the development of compassion and universal responsibility.
Harmony among different religious traditions through interfaith dialogue and cultivation of such basic human values and secular ethic like love, mutual respect, forgiveness, and a fellow human feeling. There is no question that your message messages are becoming more and more relevant in today’s unsettled world. When we are faced with many dilemmas and choices, with this very brief introduction, I would like to request his holiness to begin his talk on the topic, universal responsibility and a human approach to world peace. Thank you very much. Brothers and sisters, I am very happy to be here with you and especially with young people.
And indeed, I feel very, very great honor to share, to have this opportunity to share some of my own experiences. Now basically, I I feel it is important to realize we are same human being. I come from Tibet, but some people almost had to consider Tibet as mysterious land or sometimes people call it Shangri-La or something. And I think some describe me as a living Buddha or God King, either these are nonsense. Actually, we are same human being, Mentally, emotionally, physically, we are same.
So your experience, your emotions, my emotion, my experiences, actually is the very same. So therefore, we can communicate one another. So first, I think I would like to introduce myself. I just be another human being, then perhaps on top of that, I’m a simple Buddhist monk. I’m practitioner of the teaching of Buddha.
On the level of, as a human being, I have to take serious concern about our own problem, human problem, because each of us, every human being, have the responsibility and should have a sense of caring of our own planet, our own sort of humanity. So on that level, I believe many problems which today we are facing are essentially man made problems. Then also I think the reality much changed. So handling the problem, sometimes still carrying our old way of thinking. So through that way, sometimes more problems, more difficulties, more conflict happen.
That is essentially unnecessary because man made problems. Then secondly, a certain problem which we cannot avoid, but then in such cases, our own mental attitude is something very important. Problems, there, but if we have certain mental attitude, then at least mentally, we can reduce. You see, that sort of burden of that kind of issue is the problem. So therefore, the human attitude, outlook towards one’s own life, towards fellow human beings, towards the world, towards the problem, I think that is important, I feel.
So here, I feel the basic human value, such as human use, sense of caring one another, sense of sharing, and consider entire humanity as a member of one human family. So that kind of attitude help to broaden our mind, our attitude. So, one one level, I always try to make a contribution regarding promotion of human value. Then second, as a Buddhist monk, I see today’s world, now twenty first century, lot of material progress there, still progressing. But at the same time, in some cases, new type of problems, mental unrest are happening because of the the modernization or globalization.
And under such circumstances, I feel the various different major religious traditions have important role to help keep peace of mind and keep spirit of reconciliation, spirit of dialogue. So there are various different religious traditions, have the same potential to serve humanity. Therefore, harmony, close contact with one another is very, very essential. Sometimes, different tradition itself is becoming another factor for more division and sometimes even conflict. That is very unfortunate.
So therefore, the harmony of various different religions and traditions is not only possible but necessary. So therefore, wherever I go, I always try to make contributions regarding promotional religious harmony. So now, is my main interest and the main sort of I consider my main task. Wherever I go, I always try to make some contribution in these two fields. So here, the great opportunity meeting with the large number of people, especially young children, students, because you, now, you see something like the coming generation.
You are the people who actually now belong going to belong to twenty first century. My generation, I was born in 1935, So I was born in the twentieth century, which I described as the century of bloodshed, the century of violence. Now your century, twenty first century, I think there is every sort of indication and every sort of, I think, the basis to develop this twenty first century more peaceful, more harmony, more I think what is it? Whenever we face problem, you see, they utilize the method of handling more wisely, more patiently, more wider perspective, more wider perspective. I think that that is now the it seems that kind of situation.
So therefore, I think here, I I may, you see, tell you, I think what I may something tell you. A few years ago, one occasion I was in England. At that time, the late queen mother, then her age, 96 year old. So I have one audience with her. Then I asked him.
Ask her. I asked her. Sorry. I made queen mother male. Oh, so the I asked her that since she noticed almost the whole twentieth century, therefore, I ask according to her opinion, now world becoming better or worsening?
Without hesitation, she told me improving. Reason, when she was young, at least in England, nobody was taking serious concern about human rights violation and sort of I think the right of self determination and religious freedom, these things. So then she told me, nowadays, everywhere, you see, people have very strong concern or interest about human rights, about religious freedom, about the right of self determination, these things. I think, actually herself lived in the whole century. So therefore, I feel this is some truth in her opinion.
And then look, I think if we make comparison, the events are mainly, I think the human sort of way of thinking, in the late twentieth century and early twentieth century, there must have changed. So therefore, I believe, because of humanity’s sort of, I think what is it, lot of different experiences which we learnt in twentieth century. Some are really painful experiences. So as a result, humanity, generally speaking, is becoming more mature. Therefore, I feel now there is ground to build a better world, more harmonious, more friendly, more peaceful.
So now, on that basis, now you, younger people, now you should take this opportunity and make every attempt to fully materialise the more peaceful and harmonious and friendly and prosperous world. So I really feel great honor and great opportunity sharing with you. Now, in my life, you know, at the time, at age 16 years old, I lost freedom. Then age 24, I lost my own country. Now, more than forty three years, I remain as a refugee, political asylum refugee.
Meantime, news from Tibet, not a good one, always very saddening. So during these years, I found one of the, I think, most reliable supporters or protector or helper is my own intelligence and heart combined combination of brain and heart. So this gives me inner strength and self confidence and always with sort of enthusiastic attitude. In spite of many problems, I never touched tranquilizer. I never touched of course, as a monk, I cannot this is I cannot drink alcohol.
No need. And no sleeping pill. My daily life Of course, sometimes, you see a very disturbing news. Even if say, heartbreaking. Heartbreaking news.
Heartbreaking news or some tragic sort of situation. But, of course, on superficial level, on superficial surface, on the emotion, of course, lot of sadness, sometimes even anger, but not to remain long. Deep inside, some kind of peace of mind there. So therefore, I call this sort of combination, brain and good heart, this, I think, a real protector, real helper. So now there is nothing I mean, not unique in my case.
Everybody has the same potential. Now, the question is whether we utilise that or not. Now, here is the question, intelligence, brightest of the brain. You already have. Under this, your beautiful face, your very beautiful brain there.
So that is the source of your intelligence. Now you also have the we are human beings. We’re born. We’re grown up under sort of affection of your our parent. So from childhood, we learned the price of human affection.
And then this very body very much close with human affection. Look, the modern medical scientist says after birth, physical touch with mother or someone else is a very crucial factor for the development of a healthy brain. Then also, some modern therapists or doctors say, those people who have more narrow sort of view way of thinking and always think of oneself, always concern oneself, more extreme selfish sort of attitude, then these people naturally express or use these words, I, me, mine, like that. So the doctor, one occasion, one sort of seminar about human health, one doctor presented with his sort of Statistics. Statistics.
He told at the conference, at the seminar, that those people who often use these words, me, I, mine, is more danger to get heart attack, these people. So that means, I feel, they think just oneself. That automatically narrowing our viewpoint, our way of thinking. So the more narrow sort of thinking, even small problem, appears unbearable, very difficult. When we think about others, when we think if we think more about the world, about humanity, then our mind automatically widened.
Under that circumstances, your own problem, although the same amount of problem or a very serious problem, but in the emotional and mental level, it appears not very significant or not very important. So that makes differences. Therefore, more compassionate attitude, more compassionate feeling is actually immense benefit to oneself. Since you, from childhood, we already learned these values and we have every potential to develop this human warm heart. So now, I want to tell you that in modern times, everywhere now, people fully realise the importance of education, importance of the development of the brain.
But sometimes, we have not adequate paid attention about the development of warm heart. Now here, these teachers as well as you students, yourself, think more about the human values, human compassion, affection, sense of caring for one another. These, if you acquire more, you will be more healthier in emotional field, emotional world. As a result, you get more peace of mind. As a result, when you face some problem, you can handle more easily.
If your mind is too much disturbed and too much emotion comes, then even easy thing, then very difficult to solve because your intelligence cannot properly utilize. So that’s the situation. So therefore, please think more about basic human values. In other words, warm heart, compassionate heart. Therefore, out of my own experience, now 60 to 70 years experience, I am fully convinced of the problem there.
But if you have certain mental strength, sort of mental, I don’t know, wisdom or mental sort of openness, we can handle much more effectively. So since we have the same potential, which is emotionally or mentally, therefore, I felt maybe useful to share with you. So think more. But at the same time, I want to make very clear that these points, according to my own experience, are something useful. But if you feel these are not important, interest, then just forget.
No one is imposed on you. But if you feel there is some interest, then please experiment, think more, discuss more. In other words, I feel, as I mentioned earlier, twentieth century, whether we accept or not, that century is a century of violence, century of bloodshed. Result? More suffering, more killing.
Overall, that kind of atmosphere there, even young kids sometimes use it killing. They are classmates or just madly doing some wrong things. And also like eleventh September, these events, really horrible, Now these things are happening. I feel because of the atmosphere or because of the Overall, sometimes, we see that we not much sort of how should they valued, basic human value. We stress more importance of power, these things.
So therefore, now result, more trouble, more fear, more uncertainty. Therefore, now twenty first century should be a century of dialogue because problems always remain, always there. So long as human beings remain on this planet, problems, some form of problems, always there. So we need some non violent effective method or way of approach. Now that’s a dialogue.
Dialogue in the spirit of reconciliation and the spirit of compromise. So whenever we family level, community level, national level or international level, we have to promote the spirit of dialogue. Then, we will have more peaceful, more harmonious, more compassionate world. So that is my main story. So I want to share with you.
And that’s all. Now today, very bright sort of sky, and everybody’s face is also very bright, everybody’s smile, and that eye, I like. That’s very good. I think smile is one of the unique human sort of quality. Maybe some monkeys may have the ability to smile, but otherwise, I don’t know, among other species of mammal, I think our smile, I think really brings more sort of inner satisfaction, isn’t it?
The genuine smile. A genuine smile is really precious. But artificial smiles sometimes get more suspicious, isn’t it? So in any way, in any way, we are human beings. Future of humanity entirely depends on our own shoulder.
Through prayer may have some effect, but the real effect must come from our hard work, with sincere motivation and clear vision. Thank you. Thank you very much. Your Holiness, On behalf of Gelong, we’d like to thank you. And to do that, I would like to welcome the mayor, councilor, Barbara Abley from Gelong.
Your Holiness, we’re very proud and humbled to host such a well respected international humanitarian. We’ve all had the honor of hearing you speak today because of one man, Geshe Sonam Tage, spiritual director of Gelong’s Drukpa Buddhist Center. We thank Geshe-la and Your Holiness, of course, for giving the people of Gelong and regional Victoria this once in a lifetime opportunity to hear the philosophies of a world Nobel Peace Prize winner. Your Holiness has a tremendous gift for imparting peace to people all around the world. Everyone here today without fail, is trying to find peace, happiness, and a balance in their lives.
Your message of peace is already working by drawing together a community. The people of Gelong have embraced the many activities that have been taking place in anticipation of this event, and by attending today have shown their willingness and commitment to take responsibility and live a more harmonious and peaceful life. And I’m sure that everyone here will remember your visit as having a positive influence on our city. Thank you. Thank you for gracing Gelong with your presence and sharing your thoughts.
I sincerely hope your memories of Gelong will be fond and lasting as ours will be of you. Your Holiness, it now gives me great pleasure to introduce four young people who represent our region, and I’d like to invite them to come forward. Zachary Doherty, who represents Hamilton and Alexander College Hamilton, Elizabeth Clark, Heywood Primary School, Heywood, Siobhan Simpa from Brow College, Warrnambool, and Alicia Hocking from St. Bridget’s College in Horsham. And they’re going to present your holiness with prize winning world peace essays and gifts.
Your Holiness, on behalf of the people of Gelong and region, I want to again thank you for coming, and we wish you good health and energy in your work for world dialogue, world peace, and harmony. Thank you.