Universal Responsibility and the Inner Environment
First of
all, I always think that it is very important to consider oneself as
one human being or one member of a big human family. Because every
human is basically the same irrespective of culture, religion, country
or race. It means everyone has the right to be a happy person and the
right to overcome suffering. After all, the purpose of our very life, I consider, is happiness. This is our birthright.
Then, because of the changing situation today, the
realization of oneness of all human beings is now very relevant. In
ancient times, if you had that kind of perspective, good. If not, it
did not matter. But now, today, in reality, whether we like it or not,
every crisis is essentially linked to a global crisis. So talking about
my nation, my continent, my family, my religion, my tradition is out of
date. Therefore, there is really an urgent need to have a sense of
Universal Responsibility and change of our Inner Environment.
This I consider to be the basic' foundation of our positive
motivation. The prime mover of every human action is the motivation or
the determination.
Firstly, our motivation should be simple and
sincere. Whether we achieve the goal or not does not matter so long as
our motivation is very sincere and we make an attempt. Finally, even if
we fail to achieve our goal we won't regret making the effort. If our
motivation is not sincere, even if the objective is achieved the person
will not be so happy or satisfied deep down. So motivation is very
important.
So, any human action, whether the result is
positive or negative, largely depends on motivation. If the motivation
is sincere then every human. action can be positive- including
political initiatives. If our motivation is not adequate, not pure,
even religion becomes smeared.
So, therefore, things ultimately depend upon
proper motivation. I consider the important thing is unshakable
determination based upon a genuine sense of brotherhood and sisterhood,
or a sense of Universal Responsibility based upon human compassion or
affection. That is the proper mental approach. Our goal may not be
achieved so easily this way- it may take more time and may face many
obstacles. I think right from the beginning, we must adopt that kind of
attitude. If one expects to achieve the goal because our motivation is
good, our work will be easy, and everyone will come to help, that is
not right attitude.
The world, unfortunately, is not pure; there are
lots of negative forces. For 33 years I have been telling my fellow
Tibetans that we should hope for the best but at the same time prepare
with optimism for the worst.
An optimistic attitude is the key factor for success. Right from
the beginning, if you hold a pessimistic attitude, even small things
may not be achieved. Therefore, to remain optimistic all the time is
very important.
As I mentioned earlier, many forms of human
activity like religion, politics, technology, science and law, are
supposedly meant for the betterment and happiness of humanity. Because
of past experience many people feel that politics is something dirty.
That is also a wrong concept. In a democratic country practicing
democracy effectively, whether we like it or not, political parties
must be there. Under such circumstances, if you remain removed from
politics, just to criticize or complain or resent, that is not a wise
way.
For example, in the field of religion there is
also abuse. In the name of humanity, and also in the name of religion,
some exploitations and abuses are there. How can you change that just
sitting on the sideline? If you only criticize, there won't be much
effect. Go into It and try to change things from within. That is the
way.
I want to praise the NGOs a little. Basically,
every human Individual carries responsibility for the benefit or
welfare of humanity and for the planet it self, because this planet is
our only home. We have no alternative refuge. Therefore, everyone has
the responsibility to care not only for our fellow human beings but
also for insects, plants, animals and this very planet.
However, the initiative must come from
individuals. But then, in order to make an impact, the unified
mobilization of individual forces through various organizations is the
only path. So various organizations become very important. I think at a
government level action is sometimes not true to desires. This is due
to certain policies or reasons and sometimes due to elected leaders
being concerned about their
re-election.
NGOs have more freedom and opportunity, so in many
fields you can do many more and also you can create certain new ideas,
new activities and act as a pilot. If this becomes something
significant then the government will also follow your lead. Already
some cases of this type have happened. So, therefore NGOs have a unique
opportunity to contribute. Already you have contributed many things for
humanity and planet and I hope you can continue your good work with
full co-operation, confidence and determination.
Now, already the East-West division is there,
mainly in economic terms. The richer nations, sooner or later, will
find some problems because of this gap. So, we have to find ways and
means to reduce this gap. In this field both sides should have genuine
discussion in the spirit of our world, rather than my nation or my
continent. This is to the mutual interest of our mutual future. If one
side adopts a defensive attitude, or another side seeks only to
complain and criticize, that is not good. Come together and think in
terms of one world. Both sides belong to that same world. With this
attitude you can achieve many things.
Another thing while we are talking about the gap
between richer and poorer nations. There is no point in neglecting ones
own community. Among nations there is a big gap between rich and poor
people, like India and Brazil. So, a terribly pathetic situation is
there. Practically, these are dangerous and critical situations.
Today only one Super Power remains. Last year
after the collapse of the Soviet Communist bloc, when I was returning
from Europe to India, there was a high official from an African state
on my plane. When we reached Delhi Airport we were together for a few
minutes. I expressed to him that recent developments in the world are
very hopeful and positive; now there is no more danger of a nuclear
holocaust. I expected his response to be equally positive. But instead
he raised another possibility. Before there were two superpowers, so
the Third World can manage between the two. Now there is only one power
so we have more fear, more anxiety.
We are not sure what kind of future lies ahead. I
think and feel this is quite unfortunate. The reason is not because of
the American system of liberty, democracy, and freedom but primarily
because of the US military forces. Perhaps economic power also has some
relevance there.
Soon after the Gulf War happened I myself made
some pledge or resolution that the rest of my life will be committed to
the demilitarization of this planet.
Yesterday I heard through BBC that about 18
million people in Africa face the danger of starvation. Of course one
immediate cause is drought but another cause is civil war in recent
years. A lot of money is being spent on weapons and agriculture is
neglected. All these unfortunate experiences are ultimately related to
weapons. The military establishment or war is part of human history.
But I think today things are completely changed and now we must find
some new way of thinking. After all, we have such beautiful human
intelligence but this intelligence certainly is not meant for
destruction. If we use our intelligence for destruction it is really
unfortunate.
Once I expressed that I consider the worst event
on this planet in this century was the October Revolution in Russia.
Because, in order to achieve that revolution and in order co sustain
that revolution, so much bloodshed happened. Although, as far as
original Marxism is concerned, I've deep sympathy, because of its
practice and eventual development the outcome was so terrible.
During a certain period weapons in general, and
particularly nuclear weapons, did some good that we call deterrent. Now
the Berlin Wall has collapsed and Soviet Communist Empire has
collapsed. That leaves only Communist China. Now there is no danger
from communism, so I think nuclear weapons did their job. Now the time
has come to say farewell to these dreadful weapons. We don't need them
any more.
When we get seriously ill we need medicine and
even some poison is needed. But as soon as one is cured then these
poisonous medicines must be thrown out of the home. To keep them is
really dangerous.
Now a quite favorable time has come and we should think seriously. First of
all we should eliminate nuclear and biological weapons. Eventually we
must think seriously about the very concept of war and military
establishments. A recent Chinese proposal to totally ban nuclear
weapons is good; whether they really stick to it or not is another
question. They carried out a nuclear test recently. That is
awful.
During one of my interviews with German
television, one written question put to me was that Westerners very
much fear death and Easterners don't fear death. Why is it? Then told
the interviewer that I believed the contrary. You Westerners love war,
you love these horrible weapons. These weapons kill, and war means
death, and it is natural death. This is awful and it seems you have no
fear of death! We Tibetans, in our time, saw soldiers and the military
as something negative. That means we have more fear of death!
So, I think our concept of building military
establishments in the name of defense is wrong. I consider military
establishments as the worst kind of human rights violation_but
legalized. Then, at the same time, I think it is true that with five
billion people there are bound to be some mischievous people. In future
world community there will be also never be a 100 percent perfect
society.
Therefore counter measures to that are also
necessary. During the Gulf War crisis the main force came from America.
Because of the world situation the system of collective forces has
already happened. In future a police or military force should be
'created by nations big or small, irrespectively, by equally balanced
forces. These collective forces should be controlled by collective
leadership on an international basis. Forces can be mobilized
everywhere. If we achieve this then there will be no more violent
conflict between nations, no more civil war. On the other hand, we save
a lot of money and also we save a lot of destruction. So fear in the
world atmosphere can be reduced to some extent.
Even if we take every precaution to preserve our
planet, this is simply not possible because of the population.
According to scientists, if the present rate of population growth
continues, there is a real danger and the situation is increasing in
seriousness every day.
As a Buddhist monk, of course, I consider every
human life is something very precious, almost like a jewel. Therefore,
from that viewpoint, to control human birth is not appropriate. This is
the individual case. If we look at the whole then obviously, because of
its high population, eventually this planet simply can't provide
sufficient requirements for human beings. So this is not a question bf
one individual, or two human beings, but the suffering of all humanity-
including other species. Therefore, and from a Buddhist viewpoint, it
is absolutely worthwhile to think about, and seriously implement birth
control.
Transcript of the address on June 6, J 992 to
the Parliamentary Earth summit (Global Forum) of the United Nations
Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED), Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
