Audio recorded at Tibetan Buddhist Institute, Adelaide. Transcript auto-generated and AI-corrected; may contain errors.
About this talk. At the National Press Club in Canberra on his fourth visit to Australia, the Dalai Lama addresses reporters on his core preoccupation with promoting universal human values rooted in altruism and compassion. He frames this urgently, arguing that most global problems are human-made and solvable through broader thinking and interdependence. He then turns to three intersecting concerns: religious harmony across traditions, the critical role of preserving Tibetan Buddhist culture and spirituality for China and the wider continent, and environmental protection in Tibet, where deforestation and mining threaten major river sources for Southeast Asia, China, India, and Pakistan. Throughout, he calls for Chinese policy reform toward meaningful Tibetan autonomy, appeals to the international community to engage China constructively on human rights and democracy, and challenges journalists to investigate and report truthfully on corruption and abuse wherever it occurs.
File metadata (for organising)
File: 2024-05-02 – 1A – National Press Club Canb – HHDL.mp3
UUID: 0675625b-fc6f-4b09-8362-59e1348ddeff
Teacher: HH Dalai Lama
Collection: Dalai Lama Talks
Date: 2024-05-02
Recorded at: Tibetan Buddhist Institute, Adelaide
Words: ~3,325
Today at the National Press Club, His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet. On his fourth visit to Australia, the Dalai Lama has attracted crowds of thousands to hear him speak, promoting his views on human values. Today, His Holiness talks about Tibet and its contribution to the world at the National Press Club. Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today’s National Press Club Telstra address. We are delighted to welcome back for a third time the Dalai Lama.
Your knowledge of his visit would probably have been enhanced every day, almost by the hour this week, but although there are not thousands of people here, there are as many as we can have, and we are delighted to welcome them and the audience on television. His Holiness has had a very testing program in Australia this week, and he’s going straight from here to another one of the events for which he’s so well known, and we are very grateful to welcome him back. Please welcome His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. President Ken Randall, members of the National Press Club, and distinguished guests, It’s a great pleasure and honor for me to have this opportunity to address you today. Although the main topic is Tibet and its contribution.
But I want to say a few words in the beginning. My usual follow-up concern on main interest, major interest. The number one, about humanity. Of course, as a Buddhist monk, since my childhood, the I always received the receiving teaching about importance of altruism. At that time, I have not much interest about the practice of altruism, but my main interest is play, just play.
Then eventually, sort of new different experiences and new times, then eventually, realized more and more altruism is something very good, something very important, something very beneficial, especially after become refugee and constantly, you see, heard sad news. Then the this practice really gives me inner strength. Meantime, looking more awareness, I’m looking around the world and awareness of as a mainly as a result of visitors at different places. Then seeing quite a number of problems, essentially man made problem. Of course, major disaster, such earthquakes, these things is beyond our control.
But other type of problems, essentially, our own creation. So they hear suddenly, if we humanity, you see, have different sort of, I think, more open and more compassionate and more broad-sighted farsightedness and more holistic way of approach or way of thinking, I think, certainly, we can reduce this many man made problem. This is my feeling. After all, today is the reality. The world, not only nation to nation, but continent to continent, heavily interdependent interconnected, especially in the field of economy and also environment.
So under that circumstances, we need some kind of I think the enthusiasm or the concept, Think about humanity rather than just my nation, my my my family. Think about humanity because the things are very easy, very simple. If world become more thorough, happier, we get benefit. If world has a whole, as it become more difficulties, then individual naturally will suffer. So under that circumstances, I think that in reality, there is no sort of separate my interest and others’ interest.
My interest, my future, entirely related with the future of the other, interest of the other. So taking care of other is actually taking care of oneself, one’s own sort of what’s the future. So the I thought now then it’s it’s become very clear, the altruistic attitude in every field. Something very now relevant. Not question of believer or non believer.
Anyone, any human being, the and the citizen of the world, I think, need some kind of more altruistic or so to be thinking. So this also, when we look human nature, I believe basic human nature is more gentleness. I think reason, more frustration in our mind, more irritation, anger, agitation, agitation, anger, hatred, will be bad for our health. So more calm, more peace, more compassionate, more sort of non-aggressive feeling very good for our health. So that means this is very this is very physical.
It goes well with peace of mind, not the other agitated mind. So therefore, even if healthy viewpoint, the we can see basic human nature is more closer with human affection or peace of mind or compassionate mind rather than bullying or hitting like that. So so therefore, they I believe one of the important human value is human affection, sense of caring one another, sense of sharing. So number one, nowadays, where I go, I always try to make contribution regarding promotion of human value irrespective whether believer or non believer. Now here, I think we are facing some sort of, I think, I think new situation, perhaps few if I mentioned.
First, environment. When I was in Tibet, no idea about the environment. But now, you see, the time passes when especially when after meeting with specialist well, environment scientist, then really, now, you see, you get the sort of feeling or understanding how important. So therefore, they’re taking care about the environment. When we are talking about environment, the taking care of environment must be part of our life, in day to day’s life.
This is some kind of you see, a clear sort of awareness about the importance of the environment that that should be, number one. That also is related with the altruistic of the mind. Then second, mainly in economy, this gap, rich and poor. Global level, northerner, rich. You have surplus in the south, not even basic necessities are adequate.
And some are dying due to lack of food and nutrition. Where is that? Same planet, same human being, I think same potential, same right, but some are dying, some have of surplus sort of extra things there. That is unequal. This is not only morally wrong, but practically also source of problem.
So now the people, you see, seeking some asylum, mainly economy reasons coming here. You you find some difficulties. So in the European countries, you see the same situation is there. So they get from global level rich and poor. This is not only morally wrong, but practically also also source of problem.
Now within the nation, the again, huge gap. Look in India. Now in China also, supposed to socialist country. And during Chairman Mao and these periods, I think they are really taking care about equality in economy, in money matter. Nowadays, things are changing.
So now in even the socialist, it’s a country like China. Also, they’re now gap rich and poor now coming. So the poorest section of the people always suffer. So global level or national level, it is very important to make an attempt, you see, to reduce this gap. Here, one, I think the important matter is the population.
Of course, from the Buddhist viewpoint, we consider each human life is precious. So birth control that is not good. But now is the question is, entire precious human life or human being now facing problem, threat. So if you see the the trend of the population increasing as it go continuously, then, you see, the entire humanity is to face, I think, much more serious of the problem. Therefore, in order to save, in order to, because of the protection of, the interest of the means of human as well, human being, then we need some kind of measure.
Of course, that measure is nonviolent way, not killing way. Abortion, I think, is not not generally speaking, not good, but some other means to avoid. Best thing is more monk and more more nuns. That’s the best, isn’t it? Without so then the another thing, the I often used to call the twentieth century.
Now that century, I think, one of the most important century of human history. That century eventually turned century of blood, century of violence. I think very sad. How many people killed through war? And as a result of war, how many people suffer after war?
So many. So, therefore, the twentieth century eventually becomes century of bloodshed, in spite of many other sort of achievement. Okay. Okay. No.
No. No. No. No. Not a problem.
Okay. I I think think sound may disturb. So so I think today and end of the twentieth century and now twenty first century, I think genuine desire for peace, for nonviolence. Now it’s growing. I noticed it everywhere.
Genuine desire for peace. And somewhere, I do fundamentally now sort of fatigue about violence is now there. And so this is, I think, a good sign. So we must make further work for promotion of world peace. Now how to achieve world peace?
World peace through inner peace, not through weapon. Clear. So the ultimately, we must think in our vision. I think we should have one clear sort of vision about demilitarized world. Already, you know, some area now demilitarized like I think, as far as I know, Costa Rica, demilitarized.
So already, you see some small nation. You see, already, you see they it I just practice that. So, eventually, I think that spirit, I think, should kind of spread. And on, I think, firstly, at the regional level, here, maybe it’s two ways. One, say, demilitarize or reduce weapons, and one, unified forces on regional basis.
Then that’s, I think, one of the I’ll say the best method to reduce risk of war. So then while I was trying to achieve demilitarized, I think step by step. First, the nuclear weapons, and that we should reduce and stop. Then eventually, you see, production of weapon, I think, should reduce. This I often use it telling you see in many, many places, number one.
Then while we are trying to reduce violence, we must make sure the proper sort of human way of human way of approach to conflict, to deal with conflict. Now that is dialogue in the spirit of reconciliation and in the spirit of brotherhood, sense of brotherhood, sisterhood, and deal with the problem. Not, you see, we and they, that kind of, say, stiff way for the attitude. But consider other also part of part of part of myself. And they also have the right, you see, to live happily, prosperity.
So they share. So compromise in the spirit of reconciliation and friendship. So I think that we must make every effort to promote the dialogue. So that’s about humanity. And the second, the religious harmony.
I’m Buddhist monk. Wherever I go, I always try to promote the closer relation among the different religious tradition because it is very important now. Today, even today, I think various different major tradition have very important role for peace of mind, for promote human values, but not think how to propagate my teaching, but rather how to make a contribution from my teaching. I think that’s the proper way. Then thirdly, about Tibet.
I promise I my my talk in about twenty minutes. So now already, I think fifteen minutes already gone. And also much depends on my own English. If my English go smoothly, then my talk may become longer. If my English, you see, feel more obstacles, then automatically will reduce.
So I think today, you see your smile, seems my English seems quite quite smoothly coming in my mind. So now about Tibet. Tibet Tibet is what people call roof of the world. In any way, you see, Tibet have its own sort of unique cultural heritage and unique environment. My main concern is preservation of Tibetan culture, Tibetan civilization, and Tibetan Buddhism because I feel definitely that the preservation of Tibetan culture, Tibetan spirituality is not just interest for 6,000,000 Tibetan people, but also it’s a larger number, at least I think 14 millions traditionally followers of Tibetan Buddhism.
And then in China proper, in the past, you see, millions of Chinese follow Buddhist generally, particularly Tibetan Buddhism, including some Chinese as emperors or their relatives, they follow the Tibetan Buddhism. So therefore, that China, huge country, most popular nation, very important nation. If that nation nation sort of as a peace of mind prevail more. I think that’s not only is the interest of the Chinese people, but interest of the whole world. If that nation minds of that nation’s people, more than 1,000,000,000, you see people there, their mind remain more frustration, more sort of, I feel, unrest.
That’s not interest for for whole world. So, therefore, in their in that field, I think, certainly, Tibetan Buddhist culture can make some contribution. Therefore, preservation of Tibetan culture is also interest of the Chinese people. So our Chinese brothers and sisters have, I think, a special responsibility to look after Tibetan Tibetan culture, Tibetan sort of or the spirituality. Then Tibetan environment, because it’s a major river which cover whole Southeast Asia and and also the China, India, Pakistan, this area.
So all these major river is the ultimate source come from Tibet. So if you see the environment situation in Tibet due to large scale, unlimited deforestation, and then second, the mining without proper arrangement or proper care of environment. So the damaged environment is now become very serious. So then according to expert, you see, Tibet high altitude and dry climate, you see, you need special care about environment under that circumstances. So therefore, they’re taking care of the world environment of Tibet also is interest for billions of people in that continent, whole continent.
So these two things, I feel very, very important. So now recent sort of events, due to recent event, some damage about the culture, about environment, not nature disaster, but, you see, human behavior, especially the our neighbors sort of neighbor or our Chinese brothers, sisters behavior. That also not necessarily Chinese people, Chinese public, but policy. So therefore, now we need some kind of change, Chinese policy regarding Tibet. Although in early fifties, this central government, Chinese government, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, and also then, there was a comrade like Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping and Zhou Enlai, all these, you see, I think the leadership, they realized that Tibet is something very unique, something very special.
So accordingly, they treat it. But eventually, now things become more difficult. So so in any way, I therefore, you see this here, in order to sort of, what’s it, preserve Tibetan culture, is it the environment? We need some political change or political sort of will. So, yeah, I’m trying to find meaningful autonomy, Tibet.
The defense, the foreign affairs, of course, the central government should carry full responsibility. Besides that, about our own economy and work for education, work for environment, work for, I say, spirituality of these, Tibetan knows better. Instead of one Chinese Communist Party member, I think Tibetan themselves, let them carry the responsibility. Let them look after these things because they know better. Recently, saw a few years ago, I saw is one news Tibetan newspaper which published in Lhasa.
There, one quotation of the one party member’s sort of speech. He also takes some quotation of Buddhist sort of scripture. Completely wrong way. Disgrace. So that’s the I think they I think, really, I think they’re sad, unfortunate.
So these things, they threaten themselves, you see. Let them, you see, carry the responsibility. So the meaningful autonomy. So that is actually is a mutual benefit for us. Then that that that that will be a guarantee safety of Tibetan environment, Tibetan cultural heritage, and Tibetan spirituality.
To the Chinese government, that only that way, real stability and unity will come. Up to now, stability and unity is gone. That’s very superficial. More suppression, more hurt. Now I think I think the in other word, I think, unfortunately, when I was in Tibet till 1959, all the complaint there, although sort of resentment there, but then that time, we only sort of resented to the Chinese policy.
Now after more than forty years, more than four decades, now it become racial problem. Every single Tibetan mind, Han Chinese is something distant. In the eyes of Han Chinese, Tibetan is something different. So these are unfortunate because of the policy, because of the, how should the activities. So, therefore, this, I think, the things are is it getting worse?
So the genuine stability and unity which Chinese government consider top priority, that for that, I feel my approach is is the best way to achieve that. So any sensible Chinese, especially among, you see, some writers, some sort of, firstly the intellectuals whom I met and also some, you see, corresponding or some some sort of sending message, many of them support my way of approach. So now in order to achieve that, to to talk. Up to now, the the Chinese government at at the moment, very, very reluctant unlike in early eighties, then, you see, there was a real hope. But now today, the Chinese government more sort of Reluctant.
Reluctant. So, anyway, I believe the China people’s problem with China, in spite sort of very powerful nation, very big nation, still part of the world. So China have to go along the global trend. That is democracy, open society, rule of law, freedom of speech, freedom of press. So people’s problem with China have to go along that that way.
Of course, although it may take time. So therefore, the I think international community is concerned. I feel China should not isolate. China must bring into the mainstream of the world community. So make good friend.
At the same time, in certain truthful matters, like human right or religious freedom or democracy, rule of law, in these field, you see, you should make clear to the Chinese brothers and sisters. So that’s my main view, and I want to share with you, especially here as a pressman. You are in in free country, in modern society, the media people is very, very important. I often suggested to the media people, you should have, how say, long nose as long as the elephant nose and should smell everywhere. Oh, front, behind, or here, and there also.
Whether a religious person, whether politician, or whether, let’s say, a businessman, I think they in order to build healthy human society, pure society, more honest society, some of these mischievous people, I think, should be very clear, should be public. Not out of hatred, but out of sense of concern, out of out of sense of responsibility to build healthier human society. So therefore, it’s provided honest, truthful, unbiased. Should you should carry more investigation everywhere. Then make public public public known, info to the public.
That’s, I think, important and one especially your responsibility. So after all, as I mentioned earlier, it’s a promotion of human value, promotion of religious harmony, this not not just my own interest. This is interest for everyone. So that all people here, and especially as media people, have this special role and a special responsibility and to make a contribution. So that’s my appeal.
Thank you very much. Now some questions. Your Holiness, thank you very much. As you say, it is time for questions. I hope after that introduction on your view of the press that it’s not too daunting but the first question today is from Andrea Hopkins.
Are the questions? Yes, question. Your Holiness, Andrea Hopkins from Reuters. I’d like to ask you, what has prevented you from beginning talks with Beijing about the future of Tibet? Now early eighties, as I mentioned earlier, and in fact, ’79, some positive indication come from Chinese government, then there.
Hu Yaobang also there. I immediately responded, Talk with them. Because the middle way approach I mean, this concept or this idea actually developed in our mind as early as ’73.