Dalai Lama: Non-Violence Cannot Tackle Terrorism
The Dalai Lama [pictured above at Jerusalem's Western Wall], a lifelong champion of non-violence, stated that terrorism cannot be tackled by applying the principle of ahimsa (the avoidance of violence) because the minds of terrorists are closed.
"It is difficult to deal with terrorism through non-violence," the Tibetan spiritual leader said in Delhi. He termed terrorism as the worst kind of violence which is not carried out by a few mad people, but [rather] by those who are educated.
The head of the Tibetan government-in-exile left the audience stunned when he said "I love President George W. Bush."
(Press Trust of India)
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The Dalai Lama [pictured above at Jerusalem's Western Wall], a lifelong champion of non-violence, stated that terrorism cannot be tackled by applying the principle of ahimsa (the avoidance of violence) because the minds of terrorists are closed.
"It is difficult to deal with terrorism through non-violence," the Tibetan spiritual leader said in Delhi. He termed terrorism as the worst kind of violence which is not carried out by a few mad people, but [rather] by those who are educated.
The head of the Tibetan government-in-exile left the audience stunned when he said "I love President George W. Bush."
(Press Trust of India)
*
5 comments:
If you read the entire article it does not seem so much that he loved George W., but that he was trying to make a point. it seemed like he was saying that in reference, possibly, to loving the American People, but then made it clear he did not agree or condone many of Bush's of America's policies at the time.
The central thrust of the article is that the world's leading pacifist appears just about ready to advocate force against jihadis.
On the Bush remark, i believe that he was paying Bush back for supporting the cause of his people.
I posted the original article on a Jewish listserv [bulletin board]. I was thrilled to get a reply [clipped below] from none other than author Roger Kamenetz, who wrote JEW IN THE LOTUS about a Jewish delegation's visit with the Dalai Lama. With his permission, i'm including his comments to that bulletin board:
"I have heard the Dalai Lama say similar things.
When we met with His Holiness in 1990 he made quite clear that "violence" is like a dangerous drug and that the side effects aren't always predictable.
He cited a jataka tale about an incarnation of the Buddha who killed a ferryman that he knew was about to kill 500 people. The Buddha killed him , interestingly, so that the ferryman would not acquire the bad karma of killing 500 people.
This is not the same as an absolute nonviolent position, which I personally think is untenable.
To say that violence is a dangerous drug is a very nuanced metaphor and points to an appreciation that, in certain circumstances--the drug may be needed.
Violence isn't always wrong and I believe that is the main takeaway from the rabbinic position as it is also from a close study of the Dalai Lama's teachings on this issue."
Roger Kamenetz
I did not read the article quite that way. Here are the 3 sentences copied from the brief article, that I think clarifies what he was trying to say. I would like to see what he would say to those who feel he is getting ready to advocate force.
"It is difficult to deal with terrorism through non-violence," the Tibetan spiritual leader said delivering the Madhavrao Scindia Memorial Lecture in Delhi.
He said the only way to tackle terrorism is through prevention.
The Dalai Lama said in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks he had asked Bush to spend billions of dollars on education and promotion of non-violence instead of warfare.
I think he was saying you need to stop it before it begins, and before the next generation of terrorists is created, not through Bushian preventive force, but through education and tolerance. I believe that, whether it works or not, is the posture of Obama currently.
The Dalai Lama would never advocate force...but he appeared to suggest prevention with those who do not yet have "closed minds"...he appears to have left the door open for force with those more closed minded.
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