I may be the last, says Dalai Lama

Summary

In a candid conversation, the Dalai Lama addresses various geopolitical and social issues, including his strained relationship with the Vatican due to China's influence, the global responsibility towards democracy, and the challenges of modern extremism. He emphasizes the need for moral leadership in addressing China's role in the world and maintaining democratic values. The Dalai Lama also touches on social issues in America, noting progress yet existing racial and faith-based discrimination. Reflecting on his legacy, he ponders the future of the Dalai Lama institution, suggesting it may end if it becomes politically irrelevant.

Highlights

• The Dalai Lama's meeting with the Pope was turned down due to concerns regarding China. 🔄
• He calls on the 'free world' to stand firm on democratic values and the rule of law. ⚖️
• The Dalai Lama discusses the moral responsibility of guiding extremist youth back from violence. 🚶
• He acknowledges existing racial and faith-based discrimination despite advancements in America. 🇺🇸
• Speculates on whether the Dalai Lama institution will continue or end depending on political circumstances. 🤔

Key Takeaways

• The Vatican's refusal to meet the Dalai Lama due to China shows the complex geopolitics involved in religious and state diplomacy. 🌍
• The Dalai Lama highlights the importance of global support for democracy and rule of law, particularly in nations like China. 🗽
• Extremism among youth is seen as a result of lack of education and genuine faith, highlighting the need for holistic views. 📚
• Race relations in America, despite progress, still require conscious effort to tackle discrimination effectively. 🌈
• Uncertainty about the future of the Dalai Lama institution underscores the potential for change in longstanding traditions. 🕊️

Overview

In an interview that spans several pressing global issues, the Dalai Lama delves deep into the intricacies of diplomatic relations, particularly why his meeting with the Pope was refused by the Vatican. The underlying cause? The delicate nature of China's relationships on the world stage. The Dalai Lama accepts this as a frequent diplomatic hurdle but doesn’t let it deter his spiritual and philosophical mission.

He offers a profound perspective on the role of the 'free world' in promoting democracy, particularly in regions like China, where economic prowess doesn’t necessarily translate to democratic freedoms. He envisions a global moral duty to advocate for democracy, rule of law, and a free press, despite economic dependencies or fears.

The conversation meanders into tough topics like extremism and discrimination. The Dalai Lama underscores that extremism often stems from a lack of education and holistic understanding. He also reflects on the perseverance required to combat discrimination in America, accentuating that while progress has been made, ongoing efforts are critical. Finally, he muses on the future of the Dalai Lama institution, pondering its relevance in a politically evolving landscape.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction and Interview Setting In this chapter, the setting is in Rome where a meeting with the Pope was requested but denied due to delicate diplomatic reasons involving China. The dialogue suggests an inquiry into the nature of these 'obvious reasons' as expressed by the Vatican, highlighting possible political sensitivities.
• 00:30 - 01:30: China and Demonstrations in Hong Kong The chapter discusses China's economic importance as a great nation and highlights the presence of Christianity within its society, drawing a parallel to South Korea, which is predominantly Buddhist but hosts a large Christian population. The chapter also touches on the administration's perspective and activities related to religious demographics.
• 01:30 - 02:30: Global Responsibility for Democracy The chapter discusses the role of global responsibility in promoting and supporting democracy, using the recent events in China and Hong Kong as a case study. Pro-democracy demonstrations occurred in Hong Kong, but these have come to an end. British Members of Parliament (MPs) on a fact-finding mission were denied visas to China, causing outrage and raising questions about whether Britain should adopt a tougher stance on China. Despite these political tensions, China is keen on integrating into the global economy, which the free world should welcome, suggesting a balance between economic engagement and political values.
• 02:30 - 03:00: Western Countries' Stance on China The chapter discusses the moral responsibility of Western countries to encourage China to adopt democratic principles. It highlights the desire of Chinese intellectuals and citizens for democracy and freedom. The speaker emphasizes that the ultimate goal for the world is to achieve freedom and democracy, suggesting that it is the duty of free nations to firmly promote these values.
• 03:00 - 04:00: Islamic State and Disaffected Youth This chapter discusses the relationship between disaffected youth and the rise of the Islamic State. It touches on themes of democracy, rule of law, free press, and the role of international players like Britain in supporting democratic movements. There is a particular focus on the disappointment some feel regarding the British government's response to protests in places like China, with anecdotal insights from English friends of the author's perspective on Britain's diplomatic stance and its cautious approach in international conflicts and advocacy.
• 04:00 - 05:00: 21st-Century Challenges The chapter discusses the geopolitical importance of maintaining close relationships with China amidst global challenges. It also highlights the predicament of Western individuals joining extremist groups in the Middle East, questioning whether their actions are beyond redemption.
• 05:00 - 06:30: Race Relations in America The chapter 'Race Relations in America' discusses the misuse of religion by disaffected youth as a pretext for violence and killing. The dialogue suggests that a lack of a holistic view and genuine faith are contributing factors, proposing that true religious practice should emphasize love and forgiveness rather than violence.
• 06:30 - 07:30: Future of the Dalai Lama Institution The chapter discusses the challenges faced when human emotions become uncontrollable, leaving little room for reason and intelligence. The speaker expresses concerns about the actions of the 20th century generation and the complex issues they created.

I may be the last, says Dalai Lama Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 we're in Rome and while you're here you asked to meet with the Pope but that was turned down why that please ask the Vatican sort of administration well the Vatican says that it's a delicate situation with China and for obvious reasons how do you interpret this obvious reasons this okay this all quite often happen that's okay do you know what it means I mean does it what does obvious reasons mean
• 00:30 - 01:00 China of course great nation now economically also you see very important so therefore and both's case you see there are I think quite quite number of sort of Christianity Christians in China like his recent visit Korea although Buddhist country but large number of Christians there I think his administration I think thinking uh po
• 01:00 - 01:30 visit China maybe pro-democracy demonstrations have now ended in Hong Kong British MPS on a fact-f finding Mission were recently denied visas this has caused outrage should Britain be taking a tougher stance on China China you see uh economically very much want to join mainstream of the world economy this they right we should most well come at the same time free world
• 01:30 - 02:00 have moral responsibility to bring China and mainstream of democracy for China's own interest Chinese people also want that particularly Chinese intellectuals want that so therefore I think whole world the future destination is free Freedom democracy I think a free world have certain responsibility you see to stand and firm
• 02:00 - 02:30 democracy uh rule of law and Free Press or free information these things but are you disappointed that countries like Britain didn't take a tougher sort of stance and speak up against China or you know in the time of protest when these students were seeking democracy some my friend English Englishman my friend you see they say the British government they pocket
• 02:30 - 03:00 more more or less empty so they very much important they B Clos with China for many reason that also realistic also realistic young British American Australian men and women are going to the Middle East to fight alongside so-called Islamic State and committing brutal acts are they now Beyond Redemption I think
• 03:00 - 03:30 due to lack of holistic View and also I think due to lack of genuine sort of Faith about their religion if they are genuine then they must practice love forgiveness should not touch weapon how do we regain though these disaffected youth who use religion as a pretext to violence and killing
• 03:30 - 04:00 now once you see they uh reach that stage quite difficult once human emotion become out of control then no room to utilize human intelligence or reasons very difficult so that's why uh sometimes I really feel the generation of 20th century uh we create a lot of
• 04:00 - 04:30 problem uh so now the generation of 21st century let them solve these problem we now time come to relax and we create sufficient problem for their work you were recently in America and again race relation has come at the Forefront with the recent race riots did you get a sense of that frustration while you were there
• 04:30 - 05:00 oh although America I love America see the uh a comparatively Young Nation uh about during uh Lincoln the slave you see or they Seas then Martin Luther King Civil Right a chief now today uh uh Obama originally from Africa Amica he become
• 05:00 - 05:30 president so the system America I think wonderful uh still emotion level and the over sort of long time sort of or say The Habit some kind of discrimination on the basis of color these you see we need more constant effort in order to uce this sort of
• 05:30 - 06:00 spontaneous some kind of discrimination on the basis of color and also similarly on the basis of Faith this I think we need on special effort continuously we should not take for granted now these things time passes gradually will change that's not sufficient we need more effort that I feel you said that you would potentially
• 06:00 - 06:30 be the last Dal Lama so there won't be a 15 Dal Lama that depend on the circumstances the very institution of dalama should continue or not up to tietan people you see my death may not come uh within next year or 2 years I think my death may come after I think 15 20 years then the circumstances uh is such that then is no longer relevant this institution then
• 06:30 - 07:00 automatically cease no worry but there's concern that the 15th might be controlled by China for example there is that concern out there that I think because of the political matter Dal institution have they had of the political sort of responsibility now they're no longer there in anyway the Dal institution will seize one day this man-made sort of Institution will cease
• 07:00 - 07:30 no guarantee some stupid Dal comes that disgraced himself or herself that's very sad so much better the century old tradition Sees at the time of quite popular