| Amaravati, 10 January 2006 (www.tibet.net) - This afternoon at 12:30, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave an audience to over 150 followers from the People's Republic of China, who have come to attend the Kalachakra teachings. Talking to the Mainland Chinese, His Holiness said that Buddhism was practiced in their country 400 years before it came into Tibet, thus making Mainland China the senior student as compared to Tibetans. But at the same time, His Holiness said that the Tibetans have learned and preserved Buddhism better than the senior student. His Holiness said that he hoped he and the Tibetans would help the Chinese in China when he and Tibetan refugees return to Tibet. His Holiness then talked about his Middle-Way approach and his willingness to stay within the constitutional framework of the People's Republic of China without seeking independence. Meanwhile His Holiness asked them if they think him as a separist and splittist as the Chinese government says? All the Mainland Chinese answered in one voice saying 'No'. Then His Holiness gave them some time for a question and answer session. His Holiness the Dalai Lama stressed on the importance of compassion and peace and how they contribute in helping human beings to lead a productive and fruitful lives. His Holiness said that it is not good for monks and nuns to own and feel attachment towards worldly wealth. His Holiness said that the monks and nuns should devote their life in learning the wisdom of Buddhism taught by the great masters and to look to the way these great masters led their lives. After the teachings, His Holiness met with around 200 officials of the local government and later His Holiness gave an audience to over 300 Mongolians. Today there were around 8,000 to 9,000 Tibetans from Tibet, 5,000 from the Himalayan regions, 40,000 lay Tibetans, 6,000 to 7,000 local Indians, 16,000 monks and nuns and 4,000 foreigners from 36 countries, totaling 80,000 to 100,000 people attending the teachings. Prof. Samdong Rinpoche, Kalon Tripa of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), will arrive at Amaravati today evening and he will give talk to the new arrivals from Tibet on the policies and working of the CTA on 13 January 2006. |
