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His Holiness the Dalai Lama
(AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Revered by many around the world, the 73-year-old Dalai Lama recently gave a speech suggesting that two people should succeed him instead of just one: one spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, and one political leader of Tibet who would be elected through a free democratic process.
The Dalai Lama said, "The Dalai Lamas held temporal and spiritual leadership over the last 400 to 500 years. It may have been quite useful. But that period is over. Today, it is clear to the whole world that democracy is the best system despite its minor negativities. That is why it is important that Tibetans also move with the larger world community."
It is unknown whether the Dalai Lama’s recommendation will ultimately be supported by the Tibetan people, but it is a beautiful expression of the courage to change. The Dalai Lama has already shown enormous adaptability by leaving Tibet as a child, bravely living in exile, and quickly responding to rapidly changing conditions while fighting to free Tibet for decades. His latest speech is yet another reflection of his ability to assess and respond to the situation as it is today – not as he imagines or hopes the situation to be, not as the situation was yesterday or 500 years ago, but as it is today. We could learn from his example:
- “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” - Stephen Hawking
- “The only difference between a rut and a grave is their dimensions.” - Ellen Glasgow
- “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” – Commonly attributed to Charles Darwin
- "Adapt or perish, now as ever, is nature's inexorable imperative." – H.G. Wells
- "I found out that if you are going to win games, you had better be ready to adapt." – Scotty Bowman, Hockey Coach
We too can let go of the past and embrace each completely new, vibrant present moment. We too can avoid getting stuck in a rut, and keep going, keep flowing, keep adapting to change.
To read other motivational and inspirational thoughts throughout the day, follow me at Twitter.com/DrDebBrown.
Comments
Dalai Lama would say anything that Westerners like to hear. His today's speech would conflict yesterdays speech.
"The Dalai Lamas held temporal and spiritual leadership over the last 400 to 500 years. It may have been quite useful. But that period is over," Ruled over 400-500 is called TEMPORAL??????? And we lost Tibet because of Dalai Lama God king system.
Secondly, he oppressed those Tibetans who don't follow him, idolize him, who don't pray him. Please people do some research. Please check Shugden society. He and his administration ostracized those people who don't believe in him. He took all the money donation from West and give only to those who fanatically follow him. He misused fund and power.
Thirdly, He talk about Democracy, but behind he still advocates "Reincarnation stuff. (Medieval tradition)
Not only that, now he picks all the important reincarnation monks by himself. He is too eager for power.
Thirdly, he is spoon-feded king. He had done nothing for Tibet, but h
If he is serious about Democracy, he would have banned "Reincarnation" and stop allowing Religious figure to participate in politics. Because politics should be controlled by civilian not aristocrat and religious people.
If anybody know about Tibet real hisotry(Not hollywood version), then, it is not hard to tell if Dalai Lama is what he seems to be.
Democracy cannot go together with God king system. In Democracy, nobody is above the law, but Dalai lama has become the statue of Buddha which is he wanted to become one.
FREE TIBET FROM CHINA AND FROM GOD KING DALAI LAMA AND ARISTOCRAT GOVERNMENT.
I BELIEVE ONE DAY, WEST WILL FIND OUT THE TRUTH.
PLEASE DO NOT RESTORE DALAI LAMA GOD KING SYSTEM TO TIBET.
Actually, the "Reincarnation stuff. (Medieval tradition)" as you say, has a long standing root in many different spiritual pathways--from the Hindus to the Jains. Doubtful it would be "banned" anytime soon.
Tsering...I think you did a lots of good things for Tibet, if it is not HH Dalai Lama!
Don't make laugh on you by world!
It's better take the chinese money for your pocket money..!
Tenzing Sonam is quite right on Reincarnation. Tibetan Buddhism is in fact not Buddhism, but Hinduism. Buddha was totally against Reincarnation system and he rejected all the Hindu Gods and the CASTE system. But in Tibetan Buddhism, all the rituals are Hinduism, but disguise in Buddhism. And the Dalai Lama is a product of Hinduism. Please do not restore God king system in Tibet.
In Tibetan Community, anyone against Dalai Lama would be called "TAKING CHINESE MONEY" that becomes the pattern Tibetan Government in Exile use to accuse people. All the Tibetans know that quite well. H.H John,please use some other tactics like "you are Anti-Tibetan"
One thing I want to say is that "Tibet is not Dalai Lama. Tibet belongs to Tibetans in Tibet.
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