By Kerryn Manifold
The Dalai Lama has met with Peter Slipper and the Sunshine Coast may be in for another visit from the Tibetan holy man.
The member for Fisher had a personal audience with His Holiness on Friday at the Dalai Lama’s Indian base, Dharamsala.
Mr Slipper handed over an invitation from the Eudlo-based Chenrezig Institute requesting the great man visit the Sunshine Coast region and consecrate the institute’s new garden of enlightenment during an Australian tour scheduled for November, 2010.
“His Holiness said he would consider the invitation very carefully,” Mr Slipper said.
The news was welcomed by the Buddhist study centre’s director, Maureen Walshe.
“Obviously we are delighted,” Ms Walshe said.
Mr Slipper visited the Dalai Lama, who was celebrating his 74th birthday, as part of a six-member parliamentary delegation.
Other members of the group were Labor MPs Michael Danby and Melissa Park, independent senator Nick Xenophon and Greens senators Scott Ludlam and Sarah Hanson-Young.
The delegation held discussions with the Dalai Lama about the future of Tibet and the succession to the 15th Dalai Lama.
Mr Slipper said the Dalai Lama was a living international treasure and he hoped to organise another reception for him during his Australian visit.
“He’s a role model for others,” Mr Slipper said.
“He has undergone incredible persecution over a very long period of time.
“He has suffered (and) he never complains.”
Mr Slipper said Tibet was not being treated appropriately by the international community.
“Around the world people are regaining democratic rights and somehow the world believes Tibetans are not entitled to the same rights other people are,” he said.
“A lot of people count out China because of resources and the need, of course, to have Chinese imports. I think that it’s sad that human rights have very much taken second place to economic development in countries dealing with China.”
