By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, October 18: The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Prague on Monday to a warm reception from over 2500 people carrying Tibetan flags in a cold morning at Hradcanske Square, near the Prague Castle.
While thanking everyone for their support for justice and truth, the champion of peace appreciated the supporters carrying the Tibetan national flag, which he said is seen by Chinese hardliners as a separatist symbol.
“I’d like you to know that in 1954-55 I met Chairman Mao on several occasions and on one of them he asked me if we had a national flag. I hesitated and answered that we did. He said ‘it was important to keep it and fly it alongside the red flag’. So, you can tell any Chinese who complain that I received permission from Chairman Mao himself to fly our flag,” the Tibetan spiritual leader said.
The 81-year old leader recalled his close friend, the late President of Czech Republic Vaclav Havel, who he called a ‘distinguished personality’ for putting human rights issues ahead of economic concerns.
“I am an admirer of President Vaclav Havel. Although, he has physically passed away, his spirit lives on. Many of you, like me, will be determined to continue what he started, to carry his vision forward, not only in this country but also in other parts of the world,” he said.
To honor the late president Havel, he adorned a khata, white ceremonial scarf, on the large portrait of the former crusader of peace.
The Nobel Peace Laureate also expressed his admiration for the European Union and said such models can be started in Africa, Asia and Latin America and other parts of the world. “Since we are all part of humanity, our interest depends on our human brothers and sisters. If rest of the humanity is happy, we all benefit. I admire the spirit of the EU, which, after decades and centuries of war, was formed to place the common interest above that of this or that nation,” he said.
He also met with the widow of President Havel who accompanied the Tibetan leader on a visit to Havel’s office, left as it is since his demise, and offered his prayers. On Wednesday, His Holiness will give a public talk on Secular Ethics organized by Forum 2000 at the Lucerna Palace.
