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Dalai Lama speaks out for peaceful activists and 'responsible media'
Source:thesuburban.com
By P.A. Sévigny
September 27, 2011
During a well-attended early morning press conference, dozens of city reporters heard His Holiness the Dalai Lama speak out about the need for peaceful activism and a responsible media who must "focus upon the source of happiness in people’s lives." As the spiritual leader for millions of people who believe in the basic principles of truth, justice and compassion, the man had a lot to say about our world, its moral and ethical deficits and its obsessive pursuit of money. His Holiness also had a lot to say to the media and their duty to bring truth to the masses who must make decisions about the future of their societies and their leaders.
"The media must have a long nose," said the Dalai Lama. "They must be able to smell corruption…they must help clean out dirty politicians and clean up dirty politics."
Dressed in nothing but a monk’s robes with an inexpensive watch, the smiling monk had lots to say about climate change and the kind of corruption that can destroy people’s minds and their lives. Following a question about climate change and China’s ongoing occupation of the Tibetan plateau, the Dalai Lama mentioned that the Tibetan plateau was the major source of water for both China and Asia which continues to have an immediate effect upon the survival of millions of people on both sides of the Himalayas. When asked about Canadian mining interests who were actively working in collusion with the Chinese government in Tibet, he told his audience that mining companies in Tibet and all over the world have a duty to look out for the environment and the people who work for them. As one of the three people to have been granted honorary Canadian citizenship over the country’s history (the other two were Nelson Mandela and Raoul Wallenberg) the Dalai Lama said he would be disgraced as a Canadian citizen if he learned Canadian mining companies were not doing what they could to preserve the nation’s environment and help the people of Tibet.
While he believes politics are always necessary, he believes more of an effort must be made to make sure our leaders are honest.
"Corruption is always a problem," he said. "Corruption is a serious disease all over the planet."
When asked about his exile and the ongoing pressure brought against him by the Chinese government for his activities on behalf of Tibet and its people, the Dalai Lama considers patience to be a supreme virtue.
"You can learn a lot from your enemy," he said, because you must have an enemy to learn and practice the skills of forgiveness, patience and compassion. "Patience is the ultimate source for a happy life."