The Dalai Lama, who leads the Tibetan government-in-exile while enjoying high popularity as a world religious leader, sent a message to Koreans on Monday asking them to “put forgiveness into practice.” The Dalai Lama has called for Tibetan independence while at the same time counseling reconciliation and forgiveness for even Chinese government persecution, and for these meritorious deeds, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.
In his video taped message, the Dalai Lama said that it was unfortunate and sad, but the Korean Peninsula is divided into South and North. Moreover, even within South Korea, because it was a human society, there were natural clashes between those of different beliefs, ideologies, and points of view. At these times, he said, putting forgiveness into practice was greatly important, and it was the secret to maintaining a healthy society. He said that regardless of whether we wanted to or not, we had to live together with people with whom we didn’t agree. Above all, he pointed out, all humans lived on the same planet called Earth. Moreover, all nations and public societies depended on one another for the future, he said. Everywhere in the world, there were differing opinions, differing ideologies, and individual living criterion. In this situation, he said, forgiveness was the best path to resolve problems, and the key to the most peaceful solutions.
The Dalai Lama went on to say that we were experiencing pain these days because of many unnecessary problems and arguments. A narrow-minded point of view that say only one side of an object created all sorts of unnecessary issues and disturbed our spiritual growth, he said. He hoped that many would realize the spirit of forgiveness and principle of mutual dependence.
(Kim Han-su hansu@chosun.com )
