Dalai Lama UK visit
His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited the UK this June; his first full trip since 2008 and also the first since he deferred his political role to the elected position of Kalon Tripa, held by Lobsang Sangay. The Tibetan spiritual leader made two visits to the UK in as many months after a fleeting trip to collect the prestigious Templeton Award in May. In June, he was here for a series of public and private talks and meetings with students, businessmen, politicians, religious figures and members of the Tibetan community mainly in London, Manchester and Edinburgh; with his main aim to inspire young people to adopt peaceful means to work out problems.
Strangely for many, His Holiness was introduced on stage in Manchester by controversial comedian Russell Brand, who often references Tibet in his stand-up sets. Many celebrities seeking to build international careers shy away from showing support for Tibet as some, like Bjork and Oasis, have been banned and lost their huge Chinese markets as a result. When asked if he felt meeting His Holiness would damage his films’ chances in China, Brand said "you've raised a point that I'd not previously considered. I suppose one has to ultimately think, what's more important, the freedom of a nation or the career of one person? And I suppose, really, the freedom of a nation in most people's minds would be more important.”
As always, media attention for Tibet perked up during his visit, with His Holiness interviewed in publications as diverse as the Guardian, Metro and Big Issue. And as always, the Chinese authorities complained that any meetings between His Holiness and UK politicians amounted to ‘meddling with China’s internal affairs’. The regime really decided to throw it’s toys out of the proverbial pram when His Holiness visited Leeds, the location for the Chinese Olympic team’s base this summer, demanding that Leeds council cancel the visit or that the Chinese team would pull out. It was a curious approach for a country which spent most of the build-up to the Beijing Olympics demanding that other nations should not ‘politicise’ the Games. But overall China’s reaction to the visit was less outspoken that usual; there were very few public criticisms of His Holiness thrown out into the press (or maybe reporters just weren’t biting) and there were no Chinese flag waving protesters, or Shugden supporters, at his Albert Hall talk. Perhaps China is finally realising that the rest of the world respects the Dalai Lama and any criticisms merely expose China as a spoilt bully not getting it’s way. Or maybe China was just too concerned with it’s own internal fallout to notice.
The only words of warning came when His Holiness met Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Nick Clegg after receiving the Templeton prize, but the meeting had already happened by the time threats over trade relationships emerged, and Downing Street responded that His Holiness had met former Prime Ministers so would also meet them. His Holiness was later invited to address MPs, and attended a lunch hosted by the House Speaker. China would’ve been seething at all of these meetings, and of every positive mention of His Holiness in the British media. China is investing more in exporting its propaganda ‘news’ services abroad, but the fact is that popularity doesn’t cost anything; just a little bit of integrity.
And speaking of integrity, one of the most historic moments of the Dalai Lama's visit came when he met heroic Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It was the first time that the two Nobel Peace Prize winners had ever come face-to-face. SFT UK is proud to support Ms. Suu Kyi in her struggle for human rights and democracy in Burma, which we all hope has turned a corner, but as Ms. Suu Kyi has continued to reiterate, there’s some way to go yet. But the important thing to remember is that change does happen. It’s something His Holiness always teaches, and which is central to Buddhist belief; driving what way things change is up to you, but change does happen; it will for Burma and Tibet. So after a successful SFT UK stall at His Holiness’ Manchester talks, inspiring events with His Holiness, film screenings by the Edinburgh Tibet Society and wise words digested by us, Tibetans, supporters and the British public, we’re all reminded that peace will prevail.
PHOTOS from top: His Holiness meets David Cameron and Nick Clegg, welcoming him at the Royal Albert Hall, on stage with Russell Brand, meeting kids in Scotland, with members of Edinburgh Tibet Society and others, SFT UK’s Katie asks a question, with Aung San Suu Kyi.