 His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama (left) says a prayer after placing a white scarf over the wreath at the Lorraine Motel. The wreath is where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed by an assassin's bullet on April 4, 1968. The Rev. Samuel 'Billy' Kyles (center) described to his Holiness the moment Dr. King was shot. Kyles was just a few feet from Dr. King on that night. The Rev. Dr. Benjamin Hooks (right), a noted civil rights leader, also bows his head during a moment of silence. His Holiness and Dr. King are both recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize. |
The exiled head of state and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people started the day by taking a tour of the National Civil Rights Museum, where the Lorraine Motel sits.
The Dalai Lama stood on the very spot where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated and placed a white scarf over the wreath on the balcony of the second floor.
 The Dalai Lama said his visit to the National Civil Rights Museum and Lorraine Motel was sad, but gives a conviction to fight for human rights. He also spoke on the importance of inner beauty and religious harmony. He later accepted the National Civil Rights Museum's 2009 Freedom Award and gave a public talk on developing peace and harmony at The Cannon Center in Memphis. [Click to enlarge] |
"Yes, you can kill the dreamer. No, you can't kill the dream," said Kyles and Hooks in unison.
The group then entered the room where King was taken after the shooting.
The Dalai Lama and King share one significant bond other than being humanitarians; they are both recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.
He said the tour of the museum and motel was very moving for him, but at the same time it gives inspiration to fight for human rights.
"One way, sad. One way, more conviction," said His Holiness.
He noted King was an example of a freedom fighter of true non-violence like Mahatma Gandhi.
"We should follow these great people's method," said His Holiness.
He went on to say Gandhi and King may not be living, but their spirit will continue for many years like Buddha, Jesus Christ and Muhammad.
His Holiness also added that totalitarian regimes are outdated and the free world has the moral obligation to remind them they are not practical.
He said freedom of information was essential and told of an example where Tibetans did not even know of the Cultural Revolution taking place inside their own country.
To assist in the exchange of information the Dalai Lama said the media need to help in spreading the truth to the people.
"The media people should have long nose like elephant nose," said His Holiness. "You should be very honest, objective, unbiased, truthful. Investigate what is going on. Good, bad, everything. Then inform people."
He said one human right was to know the truth; and that censorship and distorted information were outdated.
At one point, he said he and former President George W. Bush were good friends, but he had some reservations about some of his policies.
He pointed out his main commitment consisted of two things, one being the promotion of human value and the other the harmony between religions.
"Your individual future depends on the rest of the community," said His Holiness.
He went on to say trust was the antidote for frustration and internal beauty was more important than external beauty.
"Internal beauty really brings inner peace and good health," said His Holiness.
He closed by saying King's inner strength came from his faith. He may have had a different philosophy than Mother Teresa or Gandhi, but it didn't matter because it brought inner strength.
"It is not only just some people's social responsibility, but six billion people's responsibility," said His Holiness. "Big, happier, human society and more religious harmony."
During a luncheon at the Peabody Hotel, His Holiness received the Freedom Award. Later in the day, he gave a public talk at The Cannon Center on developing peace and harmony.
