Dali Lama says Iraq War May Be Justified : Hawai'i IMC

Dali Lama: Iraq War May Be Justified
Scott Lindlaw, AP, September 10, 2003 11:09 PM

The Dalai Lama said Wednesday that the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan may have been justified to win a larger peace, but that is it too soon to judge whether the Iraq war was warranted. "I think history will tell," he said in an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, just after he met with President Bush.

"In principle, I always believe nonviolence is the right thing, and nonviolent method is in the long run more effective," said the Dalai Lama, who after the Sept. 11 attacks had implored Bush to avoid a violent response by the United States.

The exile Tibetan leader, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, said the Vietnam War increased suffering and was a "failure." But, he said, some wars, including the Korean War and World War II, helped "protect the rest of civilization, democracy." He said he saw a similar result in Afghanistan - "perhaps some kind of liberation."

"The people themselves, I think, suffer a lot under their previous regimes," he said. But he was adamant that the United States not lose sight of rebuilding Afghanistan.

The Dalai Lama urged Bush, in a letter on Sept. 12, 2001, to "think seriously whether a violent action is the right thing to do and in the greater interest of the nation and people in the long run." Asked whether the Iraq war was just, the Dalai Lama said the situation there is "more complicated" and will take more time before he can judge.

The Dalai Lama said he had briefly raised these concerns to Bush during their meeting in the White House residence. He declined to say what Bush's response was.

The Tibetan Buddhist leader, who is a five-city, 20-day tour of the United States that is timed to coincide with the Sept. 11 anniversary, called on Americans to channel their lingering grief "into a source of inner strength."

"Big, unthinkable tragedies happen," he said. "Now, instead of keeping that and developing hatred or sense of revenge, instead of that, think long-term. The negative event, try to transform into a source of inner strength."

He likened the terrorist attacks to Tibetans' struggle to reclaim their country from Chinese rule. Communist troops took over Tibet in 1951, and the Dalai Lama fled in 1959 during a failed uprising. He now lives in India.

"In my own case, many experiences of unthinkable situations have happened, but we never lose our hope. We never let negative emotions (rule), so that's immense benefit - including my own health," said the Dalai Lama, who was hospitalized last year with stomach ailments. "More peace (of) mind, more calm mind, more compassionate mind - very good for my health!" he said with a hearty laugh.

The White House meeting irritated Chinese authorities, who said in the official China Daily newspaper that the visit to the United States "constitutes a serious intervention into China's internal affairs." Nevertheless, the Dalai Lama got an audience with Bush; Secretary of State Colin Powell and his top aide on Tibet, Paula Dobriansky; Laura Bush; White House chief of staff Andy Card; and a deputy to Vice President Dick Cheney, Scooter Libby.

The Washington-based International Campaign for Tibet, however, said it was high time Bush received the Dalai Lama in the Oval Office, not in the White House residence - a symbolic step that would signal a stronger commitment to the Dalai Lama's teachings, said John Ackerly, ICT's president.

"Our war on terrorism should include embracing nonviolent leaders, and not ushering them in through the back door of the White House," Ackerly said.

The Dalai Lama, regarded by Tibetan Buddhists as the 14th incarnation of the Buddha of compassion, broke into laughter often during the interview, even when the conversation turned to serious topics.

He laughed when he described his political role as one of "semi-retirement," when he stumbled on a word, and again when he characterized Beijing's occasional "bullying" of Tibet.

He gestured continuously, the beads on his bracelet rattling at the end of his bare arms. The 68-year-old Dalai Lama had flecks of gray in his close-cropped hair, but looked decades younger than his age.

The Dalai Lama and his followers seek greater autonomy for Tibetans while keeping the region part of China. Beijing demands that the Dalai Lama publicly renounce any claim to Tibet's independence, and says he is welcome back as a religious leader, but may have no political role.

The Dalai Lama said he saw hopeful signs of an agreement. Direct contact between his envoys and Chinese officials resumed last year after an impasse of nearly a decade.

He called China's new president, Hu Jintao - a former top Chinese official in Tibet - "cautious," but said he hoped Hu will continue a process of liberalization. But he also said he was concerned about frustration among Tibetans after decades of Chinese rule, and amid an "overwhelming" influx of Chinese into Tibet. "Not necessarily intentionally, but unintentionally, the cultural genocide is taking place," he said.

Asked whether decades of frustration could lead to violence or even terrorism, he paused. "Oh, possible," the Dalai Lama said. "But up to now, Tibetans, in spite individual views or feelings, I think generally they listen to my approach. Strictly nonviolent."

The U.S. illegal invasion of Iraq is "too complicated" for the Dalai Lama to judge?

What Planet are you from, your High & Mighty-ness? Perhaps Hitler's wars of aggression are also too "complicated" for you to assess yet?

Tens of millions of world citizens marched to oppose this Imperialist War-for-Oil, and you can't decide whether it's right or wrong?

What kind of "spiritual" guru are you? And you received the Nobel Peace Prize?

im an american buddhist and i applaud His Holiness for his position on the american invasion of iraq.

I think this article was actually a mis-interpretation of the Dali Lama's comments begun by a New York Times report.

In regard to the NY Times Report the following is a copied from

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=03/09/25/1443250#transcript

The next day the Dalai Lama’s representative sent a letter to the Times in response. It said that the Times “gives the misleading impression his holiness is endorsing violence as a way to confront terrorism, I am sure, as many of your readers are aware, his Holiness always advocated nonviolence as the most effective method of dealing with conflict. More specifically, with regard to the war on Iraq his Holiness has publicly issued a statement expressing his opposition to war as the momentum was building towards an invasion”.

I believe, His Holiness, the Dali Lama being a refugee from a country invaded by the Chiness would ever condon brutal aggression and invasion of any souverign nation. Specially what bush has done to Iraq.

This information must be clarified by the Dalia Lama. It simply doesn't seem true. Could it be he was swayed or missled by the bush buddies? Or, miss quoted by the press?

http://www.tibet.com/NewsRoom/nytimes1.htm
Letter to Editor of NY Times for misleading headline, report

September 19, 2003

To the Letters Editor of the New York Times:

Your headline, as well as the report on the interview with His Holiness the Dalai Lama by Laurie Goodstein (Dalai Lama Says Terror May Need a Violent Reply, September 18, 2003), gives the misleading impression that His Holiness is endorsing violence as a way to confront terrorism. I am sure, as many of your readers are aware, His Holiness has always advocated nonviolence as the most effective method for dealing with conflict. More specifically, with regard to the war on Iraq, His Holiness has publicly issued a statement expressing his opposition to war as the momentum was building towards invasion.

As the Official Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, I was personally present at the interview that was the basis of your article. I can assure that your article has taken His Holiness' comments out of context. For example, on the question of countering terrorism, His Holiness emphasizes the need for another level of response. This is the long-term approach. Efforts should be made towards transforming human hearts and minds, which, His Holiness suggested would require, among other things an emphasis on closer contacts between the Western world and the Middle East. A truly effective counter to terrorism is to transform the human emotions of hatred and suspicion that motivate acts of terror.

Furthermore, the reference to Osama bin Laden is not reported in the way His Holiness had put it. In response to Laurie Goodstein's question on how one can understand Osama bin Laden's behavior of expressing delight in the death of thousands of people as a result of the terror acts, His Holiness stated that it is partly a question of conditioning. He gave the example that, although an average person may feel hesitant from killing animals, because of their conditioning, butchers learn to kill animals without experiencing such discomfort.

Sincerely,
Nawang Rabgyal
(Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Americas)
The Office of Tibet
241 East 32nd Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 213 5010
Fax: (212) 779 9245
Email: otny@igc.org
Web: http://www.tibetoffice.org

His Holiness the Dalai Lama's views on war and Iraq conflict
The following is the English translation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's views on war and Iraq conflict shared with Buddhist devotees and others on the first day of the Great Prayer Festival

11 March 2003, in Dharamsala

The Iraq issue is becoming very critical now. War, or the kind of organized fighting, is something that came with the development of human civilization. It seems to have become part and parcel of human history or human temperament. At the same time, the world is changing dramatically. We have seen that we cannot solve human problems by fighting. Problems resulting from differences in opinion must be resolved through the gradual process of dialogue. Undoubtedly, wars produce victors and losers; but only temporarily. Victory or defeat resulting from wars cannot be long-lasting. Secondly, our world has become so interdependent that the defeat of one country must impact the rest of the word, or cause all of us to suffer losses either directly or indirectly.

Today, the world is so small and so interdependent that the concept of war has become anachronistic, an outmoded approach. As a rule, we always talk about reform and changes. Among the old traditions, there are many aspects that are either ill-suited to our present reality or are counterproductive due to their shortsightedness. These, we have consigned to the dustbin of history. War too should be relegated to the dustbin of history.

Unfortunately, although we are in the 21st century, we still have not been able to get rid of the habit of our older generations. I am talking about the belief or confidence that we can solve our problems with arms. It is because of this notion that the world continues to be dogged by all kinds of problems.

But what can we do? What can we do when big powers have already made up their minds? All we can do is to pray for a gradual end to the tradition of wars. Of course, the militaristic tradition may not end easily. But, let us think of this. If there were bloodshed, people in positions of power, or those who are responsible, will find safe places; they will escape the consequent hardship. They will find safety for themselves, one way or the other. But what about the poor people, the defenseless people, the children, the old and infirm. They are the ones who will have to bear the brunt of devastation. When weapons are fired, the result will be death and destruction. Weapons will not discriminate between the innocent and guilty. A missile, once fired, will show no respect to the innocent, poor, defenseless, or those worthy of compassion. Therefore, the real losers will be the poor and defenseless, ones who are completely innocent, and those who lead a hand-to-mouth existence.

On the positive side, we now have people volunteer medical care, aid, and other humanitarian assistance in war-torn regions. This is a heart-winning development of the modern age.

Okay, now, let us pray that there be no war at all, if possible. However, if a war does break out, let us pray that there be a minimum bloodshed and hardship. I don't know whether our prayers will be of any practical help. But this is all we can do for the moment.

Translated and issued by:
The Department of Information and International Relations
Central Tibetan Administration
Dharamsala INDIA

How dare the Dalai Lama suggest that the Iraq war - or any war is justified. I have respected his holiness for many years but as a pacifist I cannot accept this decision. I am extremely disapointed but remain enlightened by his holiness.

you display you ignorance

SFIMC OFF THE AIR AGAIN , SOME ONE PULLED THE PLUG AGAIN!

who knows who nessie has pi**ed off this time. SOME ONE HAS STRIPPED S/F IMC OFF THE NET. they claim it is swtiching servers but at this point we all know
some thing is up.

It just goes to show, from the responses that anger is a human trait and it is even more interesting to watch the angry claim to be pacifists when they cannot even maintain calm in conversation over the topic of peace.

One can be full of peace, and throw a theif out the window, and yet his peace reamains intact.

hahahaha....i just love how all the iggnorant liberals against the Iraqi war are soooo appalled that the dali lama might actually believe the war was necessary and justified despite its inevitable violence. Their only explaination is that he was either misinterpreted or does not have the knowledge to judge for himself. i know exactly how they would've reacted if he actually agreed with them (although he is too smart and insightful to do that)...they would have praised him as the world's greatest genius and would harshly scold anyone who suggested otherwise ....hahahaha....modern liberals are the biggest hypocrites in the history of mankind. dali lama: you continue to astonish me with your sense of truth and logic in this crazy world. liberals: get over yourselves!!!

I think he was trying to avoid pissing off all the rightwing nutjobs like G.W Bush.
He was being diplomatic.
But if you read what he is saying he says WAR is WRONG.
But he cant come out and openly slate the reneck warmonger and half of the USA so he says it politely and then gets misquoted by the press.

I'ts obvious today that the war in Iraq should have never happened.
I wish the Dalai Lama could run for President. I would definately vote for him.

May all beings be happy

Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Calling of names and pointing of fingers is hardly constructive.
His Holiness is a leader, not God himself.
We can disagree and be abject to his ideas, but I am sure you have some ideas we don't agree with.
I can think of a million of these small statements to express how I feel personally as well.
I appreciate his honesty. Seeing from all points of view. Expressing an idea that may, to some, seem not "like him."
Who are we to know what he truly feels?
Who are you to know how I truly feel?
Who am I to know exactly waht he means.
I am an advocate of non violence.
Call me crazy too if you'd like. I'll happily agree and laugh out loud.

the dali lama is the spritaul leader of tibet he is the buddha of compassion, he is probably one of the most loving beings in this world, direct your anger some where else

This truely saddens me.

To think that a man so looked to for guidance would say something to this nature.

No war is ever correct in the path of enlightenment, though it may be easily justified, so may destroying the planet.

Justifying something only makes it right in the eyes of the one justifying. There is no truth in justice.

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.

Compassion and justice are opposites.

Buddha teaches compassion, not the later.

If a man seeks enlightenment then justice is not for them.