By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, MARCH 24: The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama today met with the visiting Australian Cricket team at the courtyard of Tsuglagkhang and welcomed them to Dharamshala, his abode of nearly six decades.
“As for my knowledge on Cricket, it is less than zero. So no interest,” the Dalai Lama said, “However, people enjoy the game and I appreciate the happiness and joyfulness people receive from the game. So I thank you.”
Meeting the cricketers, His Holiness recalled his days of playing Ping-Pong with Chinese Prime Minister Chou En Lai (table tennis) in his youthful days. .
The Tibetan spiritual leader spoke on his three major commitments – Promotion of human values and sense of oneness, religious harmony and preservation of Tibetan culture.
“We all have the responsibility to promote the sense of oneness in all the seven billion human beings. Wherever you go please share this concept, as we all are part of humanity. If humanity is happy individual get maximum benefit,” the Dalai Lama said while discouraging the misuse of religion.
In response to a question from the team staff on what he would say to the Chinese leader, if they met, he said, “I tell the Chinese I meet that China is traditionally a Buddhist country with over 400 million Buddhists. So under the leadership of the Communist party they should make efforts on promotion of Buddhist psychology and philosophy. As for socio-economic is concern I am Marxist, equal opportunity for all.”
He further added that the motivation of the original Chinese leaders were good and sincere. However, after establishing control over Tibet, power got in their head.
Currently on tour of India, Australia is scheduled to play the fourth and final decisive Test match starting tomorrow at the Dharamshala cricket stadium. Both teams won one game each and drew one.
