By Phurbu Thinley
Tokyo, November 21: His Holiness the Dalai Lama today said he was not at all upset by the Japanese Government’s indifference during his ongoing visit of the country.
The exiled leader of Tibet said his Japan visit was not political in nature and he had no problem if the Japanese Government officials avoided contact with him.
When asked if he was upset with the indifference shown by Japanese Government against the fact that he was honoured by the top leaders of Germany and US; the Tibetan leader said, “Main purpose of my visit is not political, and nothing to ask from Japanese Government”.
“And also I don’t want to create any inconvenience to any person. So, no problem,” the Dalai Lama added.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama categorised his current Japan visit as mainly to promote human values and religious harmony. Top leaders of Japanese Government have refrained from meeting Tibetan leader during his ongoing visit in an obvious effort not to disturb its healing ties with China.
As of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s meeting with him, the Dalai Lama said they were long time friends. “Since she was the leader of opposition, we met and knew each other,” the Dalai Lama said.
“As a leader of opposition, we had interesting discussions, and she kept her good spirit even when she became chancellor”, the Dalai Lama added.
“I appreciate the German Chancellor for her good spirit. She kept her human spirit and friendship” he said. “So, when I met her again, I told her ‘you are my friend,” the Tibetan leader told the media gathering at the New Grand Hotel in Hachioji, Tokyo.
“Meeting with American leader, I had certain agenda,” His Holiness said.
Despite sharp protests from China, Germany’s Angela Merkel went ahead to meet the Dalai Lama at the Chancellery in September this year. On October 17, the President George W. Bush presented the US Congressional Gold Medal to His Holiness amidst China’s stern objections.
During the press conference, the Dalai Lama called for special care to protect Tibet’s ecosystem, saying once you damage the high plateau’s fragile environment, it would take long period to recover.
Since Tibet is the source of major rivers in Asia, the Tibetan leader said special care of the Tibetan ecology is “not only the concerns for Tibetans, but also for millions of people”. Although Chinese government has begun to impose ‘some restrictions on deforestation”, the Dalai Lama said that “unfortunately now in China, restrictions can be easily ignored through pocket money, or corruption.”
‘Some Chinese businessmen still carry out deforestation and also they exploit natural resources with poor care for the ecology,’ he said.
Also during the press conference the Dalai Lama said “all Tibetans wish to return to Tibet” and reiterated that he was open to resolve the issue of Tibet over a “genuine autonomy”.
“We are seeking genuine autonomy within the constitution of China provided the Chinese government is ready to create a meaningful autonomy,” the exiled leader of Tibet said. “Whole world knows the Dalai Lama side is not seeking independence,” he added.
“Only problem is they are over suspicious” the Dalai Lama said referring to Chinese Government leaders.
The Dalai Lama later addressed a hall full of audience gathered to hear his lecture on “Modern Science and Spirituality”.
