By Tenam
Paris, June 6- His Holiness the Dalai Lama met with Chinese students, democracy activists and exiles at his hotel today after meeting with some French lawmakers.
The Tibetan leader was welcomed earlier this morning on his arrival from Netherlands by a small group of Tibetans, French Buddhists and admirers.
Stressing on people to people relationship, the Dalai Lama applauded the efforts by Tibetans and Chinese in Paris for starting a friendship association.
“When we have interactions on a regular basis, then when a situation like the last year’s protests in Tibet happens, we have a ground for working to solve any misunderstandings that arise. Otherwise we just end up shouting at each other,” he said.
Many Chinese participants shared their doubts about the sincerity of the Beijing authorities and the practicability of the ‘Middle Way Approach’. The Dalai Lama responded that though he sometimes think many Tibetans support his stance due to their faith, nevertheless, the ‘Special Meeting’ in Dharamsala last year concluded in support of this path.
A group of around 50 Chinese and the Dalai Lama discussed a wide variety of subjects – from His Holiness first visit to China, his exile and the relation between the Tibetans in exile and the Beijing authorities.
He said that in 1956, on his first visit to India while situation in Tibet deteriorated, at Nehru’s behest, he returned instead of seeking asylum. He said he also tried to negotiate a visit to Tibet in the early 80s and again in 1992.
“In retrospect, I think I have been more useful being in exile. Otherwise I might have suffered the fate of the late Panchen Lama,” the Dalai Lama pointed out.
Referring to accusations against the Tibetan Youth Congress as being extremists, he said that they are firm in their commitment towards non-violence though their political goal differs from his.
“Though I had some doubts about the timing of the protest, I was amazed by the courage of the Tiananmen protesters in 1989,” he said. For the Chinese youths he reasoned that “it is important to look at all sides of an issue and come to their own conclusion rather than blindly following the official propaganda.”
“Be firm in your commitment to truth and then persevere,” advised the Dalai Lama to the Chinese youth.
The Dalai Lama will meet with Tibetans and people from the Himalayan region on Sunday morning and give a public conference titled ‘Ethics and Society’ at Bercy sports complex. Later in the afternoon he is scheduled to meet the Mayor of Paris and receive the ‘citizen of honour’, which was passed by the city of Paris last year.
The Green party members of the Paris council have hung portraits of the Dalai Lama and of the Chinese dissident Hu Jia from the windows of their offices near the city hall.
