His Holiness the Dalai Lama's views on
war and the Iraq conflict
The following is the English translation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's views on war and Iraq conflict shared with Buddhist devotees and others on the first day of the Great Prayer Festival.
11 March 2003, in Dharamsala
The Iraq issue
is becoming very critical now. War, or the kind of organized fighting, is something
that came with the development of human civilization. It seems to have become
part and parcel of human history or human temperament. At the same time, the
world is changing dramatically. We have seen that we cannot solve human problems
by fighting. Problems resulting from differences in opinion must be resolved
through the gradual process of dialogue. Undoubtedly, wars produce victors and
losers; but only temporarily. Victory or defeat resulting from wars cannot be
long-lasting. Secondly, our world has become so interdependent that the defeat
of one country must impact the rest of the word, or cause all of us to suffer
losses either directly or indirectly.
Today, the world is so small and so interdependent that the concept of war has
become anachronistic, an outmoded approach. As a rule, we always talk about
reform and changes. Among the old traditions, there are many aspects that are
either ill-suited to our present reality or are counterproductive due to their
shortsightedness. These, we have consigned to the dustbin of history. War too
should be relegated to the dustbin of history.
Unfortunately, although we are in the 21st century, we still have not been able
to get rid of the habit of our older generations. I am talking about the belief
or confidence that we can solve our problems with arms. It is because of this
notion that the world continues to be dogged by all kinds of problems.
But what can we do? What can we do when big powers have already made up their
minds? All we can do is to pray for a gradual end to the tradition of wars.
Of course, the militaristic tradition may not end easily. But, let us think
of this. If there were bloodshed, people in positions of power, or those who
are responsible, will find safe places; they will escape the consequent hardship.
They will find safety for themselves, one way or the other. But what about the
poor people, the defenseless people, the children, the old and infirm. They
are the ones who will have to bear the brunt of devastation. When weapons are
fired, the result will be death and destruction. Weapons will not discriminate
between the innocent and guilty. A missile, once fired, will show no respect
to the innocent, poor, defenseless, or those worthy of compassion. Therefore,
the real losers will be the poor and defenseless, ones who are completely innocent,
and those who lead a hand-to-mouth existence.
On the positive side, we now have people volunteer medical care, aid, and other
humanitarian assistance in war-torn regions. This is a heart-winning development
of the modern age.
Okay, now, let us pray that there be no war at all, if possible. However, if
a war does break out, let us pray that there be a minimum bloodshed and hardship.
I don't know whether our prayers will be of any practical help. But this is
all we can do for the moment.
Translated and issued by:
The Department of Information and International Relations
Central Tibetan Administration
Dharamsala INDIA
http://hhdl.dharmakara.net/oniraqconflict.html
You can find the teaching below by His Holiness at the FPMT site:http://www.fpmt.org/teachings/default.asp
Compassion and the Individual
The Global Community and The Need for Universal Responsibility
A Human Approach to World Peace
Words of Truth Prayer
At this very moment for the peoples and nations of the earth, May not even the
names of disease, famine, war, and suffering be heard, but rather may pure conduct,
merit, wealth and prosperity increase, And may supreme good fortune and well
being always arise.