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Klagenfurt (Austria) - 16 May 2012

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Austria today

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Klagenfurt airport earlier this afternoon from Maribor, Slovenian. Mr. Gerhard Dörfler, the Governor of Carinthia region welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the airport. The was a traditional Austrian welcome ceremony and a very large media was waiting for His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the airport.

Governor Mr. Gerhard Dörfler is the host of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to Klagenfurt.

Tibet Centre - International Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies based in Hüttenberg is the main organizer of the Austrian visit. The centre is a non-profit registered association. It was established in 2006 under the Patronage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and continued support from the Regional Government of Carinthia.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama made a short visit to Hüttenberg, the birthplace of Mr. Heinrich Harrer, the author of Seven Years in Tibet. Hüttenberg this year celebrates the centenary birthday of their famous son. He also consecrated the construction of Tibet Centre.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give four public talks, two days Tibetan Buddhism teaching and take part in one day symposium on Buddhism and Science during his visit to Austria. He will visit Klagenfurt, Salzburg and Vienna, capital city of Austria from 17 to 27 May. From 22 to 24 May His Holiness will travel to Udine, Italy and Huy, Belgium.

Starting tomorrow in Klagenfurt, the capital of Carinthia, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will give two days Tibetan Buddhism teaching and a pubic talk on The Art of Happiness. In Salzburg His Holiness will give the keynote address on World Peace and Universal Responsibility jointly organized by the Alpine Peace Crossing and the Tibet Centre on 20 May morning. In the afternoon, His Holiness will take part in an interfaith dialogue - Harmony in Diversity organized by the University of Salzburg and the Tibet Centre.

The renowned Austrian quantum physicist Prof. Dr. Anton Zeilinger, German neurophysiologist Dr. Wolf Singer and Protestant theologian, Buddhism Prof. Dr. Michael von Brück and other speakers will join His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the one day Buddhism and Science symposium on Mind and Matter - New Models of Reality in Vienna. The symposium is jointly organised by the University of Vienna and the Tibet centre.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama will address the European Tibet Solidarity Rally in Vienna, the final stop of his Europe visit on 26 May 2012. The main message of the solidarity rally is Tibet needs you. Now. It calls on Europe and the world to act on the present situation in Tibet. For more information see www.europefortibet.com

This is His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 12th visit to Austria. The first was in 1973 and second in 2007.

For Austrian visit details, see www.dalailama.at

Media contact:

Mr. Tseten Samdup Chhoekyapa +43 688 960 2341

17 May 2012: 19:00 to 20:00 hrs – Central European Time

18, 19, 20 and 21 May 2012

06:00 to 08:00 hrs – Central European Time

18:00 to 20:00 hrs – Central European Time

 


 

Maribor (Slovenia) - 16 May 2012

His Holiness the Dalai Lama's second day in Maribor, Slovenia

Meeting his host, the Mayor of Maribor, Franc Kangler, and his staff this morning, His Holiness the Dalai Lama recalled how much he had enjoyed his first visit to Maribor in 2010 and how impressed he had been with what he saw of Slovenia. When Mr Kangler proudly told him that, although Slovenia is a comparatively small country, Maribor's football team had beaten both Russia and Serbia here in Maribor, His Holiness remarked that in the field of truth and justice too, size is not always the deciding factor. He recalled that in 1959, the Tibet issue was raised at the UN by Malaysia and Ireland, neither of them large countries. Indeed, he said, it is sometimes smaller countries who are less swayed by economic considerations and more able to stand by their principles.

Mayor Kangler agreed, telling His Holiness that Maribor had had to struggle to become the Cultural Capital of Europe. He added that you have to fight for your rights, but having done so you have to be prepared to shoulder the consequent responsibilities. Next year, when Maribor is the European City of Youth the Mayor said that as a gift to Tibetans the city would like to invite Tibetan students to come to Maribor to join in the events.

Before leaving for the University of Maribor, His Holiness and the Mayor talked enthusiastically about the Slovene language, its dialects and the varieties of language in the region. Arriving at the University, the Rector Prof. Dr Danijel Rebolj was waiting in the light rain to greet His Holiness and had a short meeting with him before escorting him to the auditorium where the Out of the Box Conference – Innovative Ways to Improve the Culture of Living was taking place. His Holiness joined the Rector, Prof. Denis Noble of the University of Oxford, who he has met before, Prof. Dirk Helbing from Zurich and Prof. Siegfried Grossman of Marburg University, Germany before an audience of about 800.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama offering a Buddha statue and Butter lamp to the Mayor of Maribor

After observing that on a fundamental level we human beings are the same emotionally and physically, His Holiness declared how pleased he was to join the other scholars to talk and learn from each other. He said that despite his age, he still thinks of himself as a student. He quoted an ancient scholar as saying that even if you are going to die tomorrow it's still worth learning something today. He said that thinking out of the box and finding innovative ways to improve the way we live is not only important, but it is something human beings are peculiarly equipped to do. Education therefore is the key to improvement, we have to think more holistically, not narrowly pursuing our own interests, but understanding that if we neglect the interests of others, ultimately we will be the losers. Therefore, warm-heartedness is the guarantee of our own future.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama signing the guest book of Maribor

Alluding to the importance of looking at challenges from a different angle, His Holiness noted that when a tragedy occurs it may provoke frustration and anger in you, but it may also provide you new experience and insight that strengthens your determination. He cited events from his own life, that he lost his freedom at the age of 16 and lost his country at 24. On the one hand it was sad, but on the other it liberated him from what he considers useless formality and enabled him to meet many different kinds of people from whom he has learnt a great deal about the oneness of humanity.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to participants of the luncheon, organized by the Mayor of Maribor

After he had attended an invited lunch with Mayor Franc Kangler, about 2400 gathered to hear His Holiness deliver a public talk on Cultivating Peace of Mind. Commenting on the greater maturity of people in the latter part of a twentieth century, a period during which many people regarded war as unavoidable, His Holiness remarked that great changes had taken place since the fall of the Berlin wall. The ideological conflict of the Cold War came to an end. People began to take much greater interest in preserving the natural environment and acting to stop climate change. Meanwhile, among religious communities there is a much greater acceptance of other spiritual traditions. Therefore, he feels quite optimistic.

Once again His Holiness praised our marvellous human intelligence, the sharpness of mind that enables us to think things through and analyse them. Analysis allows us to judge which of our emotions favour a calm mind and which disrupt it. Through analysis we can come to understand that fear, anger and jealousy undermine our peace of mind, while cultivating a more compassionate attitude to others boosts our self-confidence, which in turn supports a calm mind. Scientists have found that peace of mind is good for our physical well-being, while afflictive emotions like anxiety and suspicion eat into our immune system.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the Public Talk in Maribor

When it comes to discussing the moral principles that reinforce our ability to develop a calm mind His Holiness says he likes to take a secular approach. This is because a large proportion of the world's 7 billion people have little interest in religion and even those who profess to be religious are little affected by it in their day to day lives. At the same time humanity is facing many problems that are a direct result of our lack of moral principles, which is why presenting ethics in a secular context is so important.

His Holiness urged those who will come of age in the twenty-first century to create a better world by cultivating vision, determination and enthusiasm. While he admitted that the UN, political leaders and the clergy may not be able to do much to change the world for the better, His Holiness stressed the need for individuals and smaller nations to seize the opportunity to create a more peaceful, more equitable world. “Don't give in to helplessness or hopelessness” he said, adding, “Every one of you can make a contribution. I may not live to see the results of your efforts, but you surely will. “

Many individuals came forward to ask His Holiness questions, one young woman beginning by thanking him for showing the goodness of smiling and laughter.

Tomorrow His Holiness is to join several other Nobel Peace Laureates to discuss Why we need dialogue and solidarity in the global crisis? at the National Theatre, Maribor, before travelling to Klagenfurt, Austria in the afternoon.

 


 

Maribor (Slovenia) - 15 May 2012

HH the Dalai Lama arrives in Maribor, Slovenia, the Cultural Capital of Europe

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrives in Maribor airport from Vienna

It was raining in London this morning as His Holiness left for Vienna, Austria on his way to Maribor, Slovenia, at the invitation of the Mayor, Franc Kangler. His Holiness was accompanied to the door of his plane by David Cassidy of the Templeton Foundation, his host during his brief visit to London.

During his transit stop at Vienna airport, His Holiness met Kurt Seinitz, Foreign News Editor of Kronenzeitung, Austria's largest newspaper with an average daily readership of nearly 3 million. Kurt Seinitz began by asking if His Holiness had a message for the people of Austria, and he replied, “Nothing special”. He went on to elaborate that Austrians like him are just human beings, some among the 7 billion who want a happy life and who have a right to achieve happiness. He pointed out that happiness derived from mere physical comfort tends to be shallow and fleeting, failing to pacify anxiety and fear, whereas if we have a calm mind it is effective in overcoming even physical pain, therefore we should not neglect the inner values that are a source of a calm mind. His Holiness said that he was most concerned to advise people to cultivate secular ethics, those inner values beyond religion that help us lead a peaceful and happy life.

His Holiness noted that he has a strong link with the Austrian people because of his friendship with Heinrich Harrer and Peter Aufschneiter. He recalled that he has been aware of this special link since his first trip to Europe in 1973 and offered his special greetings to all Austrians today.

A short flight took His Holiness and his party from Vienna to Maribor, Slovenia's second city and currently the Cultural Capital of Europe. He was met on the tarmac by his host Mayor Franc Kangler with members of his staff and family. His Holiness spoke briefly, recalling his first visit here 2 years ago. He told assembled journalists that he wanted to share his experience that since most of the problems we face are of our own creation it is logical to think that a solution to them is also in our own hands. We need to approach them with self-confidence and whether we face problems on local or global levels we must not lose our sense of optimism.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Mayor Mr. Franc Kangler address the media at Maribor airport

Arriving at his hotel within sight of the Drava River, His Holiness met the Mayor again and asked what changes had taken place since he was last here. The Mayor told him that this year Maribor is, jointly with Guimaraes, Portugal, the European Capital of Culture. He added that next year Maribor will be the European Youth Capital and asked His Holiness if he had time to talk to the leaders of the European Youth Forum. They told him that they are in touch with youth groups across Europe and in Russian and Azerbaijan. They are also in touch with various faith groups and advocate the kind of inter-faith dialogue dear to His Holiness's heart. Asked what advice he would offer European Youth today, His Holiness suggested that they should not become demoralised because we need courage, determination and self-confidence to solve our problems. He recalled his own experience of losing his freedom at the age of 16, losing his country at the age of 24, and yet he has not given up. He noted that although there is great suffering in Tibet under Chinese communist oppression, Tibetans steel themselves against it by hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Mayor Mr. Franc Kangler at Hotel City in Maribor

His Holiness continued that young people in their teens and early twenties belong to the 21st century, whereas he considers himself to belong to the 20th century that is already over. The 20th century was, despite many momentous developments, characterized by violence, bloodshed and oppression. If that had resulted in a better, more stable world it might have been justified, but that was not so, he said. Recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are symptoms of mistakes originating in the 20th century. He urged young people today to ask themselves how to solve problems they might face. What you need, he said, is a vision that this 21st century will be an era of dialogue and peace and he commended the steps already being taken in this European Youth Forum.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mayor Kangler and youth leaders at Hotel City in Maribor

Tomorrow morning His Holiness has been invited to participate in the University of Maribor’s Out of the Box Conference – focusing on the theme: Innovative Ways to Improve the Culture of Living – Special Session with World Thinkers. In the afternoon he is to give a public talk on Cultivating Peace of Mind.

 


 

Geneva (Switzerland) - 15 May 2012

His Holiness the Dalai Lama to visit Maribor European Capital of Culture 2012

This afternoon His Holiness the Dalai Lama will arrive in Maribor, Slovenia - the European Capital of Culture 2012 at the invitation of Mayor Mr. Franc Kangler and Rector Prof. Dr. Danijel Rebolj, University of Maribor.

On 16 May morning His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be the key speaker at the University of Maribor’s Out of the Box conference: Innovative Ways to Improve the Culture of Living. His Holiness and three prominent European scholars will address the Special Session with World Thinkers. University’s Rector Prof. Dr. Danijel Rebolj will moderate the session.

In the afternoon, His Holiness will speak on Cultivating Peace of Mind. The public talk is part of the Maribor for Peace - Nobel Peace Prize Laureates in Maribor initiative to raise awareness of human values amongst its citizens and to inspire them.

On the third and last day of the visit, His Holiness the Dalai Lama with Nobel Laureates Dr. Rigoberta Menchú Tum, Prof. Muhammad Yunus, and Prof. Lučka Kajfež Bogataj (member of 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) will address a peace conference called Why do we need Dialogue and Solidarity in the global Crisis? After the conference, His Holiness will unveil the Peace and Reconciliation Mural in front of the National Theater in Maribor.

From 10 to 18 May Maribor will host a number of Tibetan cultural events - creating sand mandala, numerous lectures and concerts.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s public talk and the peace conference with Nobel Laureates in Maribor will be live webcast via http://www.mariborforpeace.si and http://tvslo.si/#tv.slo2

16 May 2012 - Wednesday 13:30 - 1530 hrs (European Time) Public talk: Cultivating Peace of Mind

17 May 2012 - Thursday 10:00 - 11:30 hrs (European Time) Maribor Peace Conference: Why do we need Dialogue and Solidarity in the global crisis?

This is His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s second visit by to Maribor. On 17 May afternoon His Holiness will leave for Klagenfurt, Austria.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama will address the European Tibet Solidarity Rally in Vienna on 26 May 2012. The main message of the solidarity rally is Tibet needs you. Now. It calls on Europe and the world to act on the present situation in Tibet. For more information see: http://www.europefortibet.com

 


 

Geneva (Switzerland) - 15 March 2012

International NGOs tell UN the current situation in Tibet is serious

Four international NGOs in their oral statement at the UN Human Rights Council on 13 and 14 March expressed concern about the current situation in Tibet.

Speaking at the 19th session of UN Human Rights Council under agenda Item 4’s general debate on “Human Rights Situation that requires council’s attention, Mr. Tenzin Samphel KAYTA (Photo) on behalf of Society for Threatened Peoples drew the Council’s attention on series of self-immolations taking place in Tibet.

He said the self-immolators have called for “religious freedom in Tibet” and “return of their beloved spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to Tibet”. 27 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009. 19 were confirmed dead and fate of others remain unknown. Last week alone, a student of 20-year-old woman, a 32-year-old mother-of-four and another two 18-year-old man and monk burned themselves alive. Sadly, all three died on the scene of their protest.

In 2008 there was widespread protests across Tibet. The Chinese authorities forcibly cracked down on the peaceful protestors. According to Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy based in Dharamsala, there are over 830 known political prisoners in Tibet. In 2011 alone, (as of 15 December) 230 known Tibetans have been arrested and detained.

Tibet today is virtually locked down and undeclared martial law is in place. Mr. Jonathan Watts, Guardian newspaper’s reporter based in Beijing described the situation in Ngaba area as “conflict zone”.

The Chinese security forces opened fire on unarmed Tibetan protestors on three occasions in three different counties in late January this year. Five Tibetans were killed and over 30 were severely injured. Those injured from gunshots have been in hiding without medical treatment for fear of being arrested by the Chinese authorities.

Mr. Kayta further said instead of Tibetan monks studying Buddhism, the Chinese communist official work teams have been rigorously conducting communist ideology and making the monks denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the Tibetan monasteries. Monks have been arrested, expelled or force to leave their monasteries for refusing to denounce the Dalai Lama and displaying allegiance to the Communist Party.

He reiterated Special Rapporteur on Food Mr. Olivier de SCHUTTER statement at the Human Rights Council session that Tibet is virtually closed to outsiders and all communication channels were blocked making it hard to verify information. Tibet is under undeclared martial law said Mr. Kayta.

He called upon the Council to urge China to respect basic rights of the Tibetan people and allow unfettered access to independent observers including UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in all restive Tibetan areas.

Ms. Kalden Tsomo, spoke on behalf of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights. She raised issues concerning Tibetan people’s cultural rights and right to development.

She made reference to a Radio Free Asia report where Chinese miners had told locals Tibetans in Driru County in Nagchu Prefecture that “their permit had been approved by the Communist Party secretary of the TAR, and that those Tibetans protesting the mining site would be treated as separatists.”

She further said that in 2010, at least four Tibetans were killed when police officers fired upon a crowd of Tibetans protesting mining in Palyul County, Kardze Autonomous Prefecture.

Just days ago, exile sources reported that 6 monks, including the Abbot of Lingka Monastery were given prison sentence ranging from 4 - 5 years for participating in a month-long anti-mining protest in Tamo, Shigatse in October - November 2011.

She called on the relevant Special Procedures of the Council to investigate how the Tibetan Peoples’ right to development is carried out.

Mr. Ngawang C. Drakmargyapon on behalf of Asian Indigenous and Tribal People's Network drew the Council’s attention to unresolved longstanding disappearance case of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima since May 1995. He said Chinese government has so far not implemented the Committee on the Rights of the Child’s recommendation on 30 September 2005 asking China to “[a]llow an independent expert to visit and confirm the well-being of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima while respecting his right to privacy, and that of his parents.”

He said that on 3 August 2007, China's State Administration for Religious Affairs issued a decree that all the reincarnations of tulkus of Tibetan Buddhism must get government approval; otherwise they are "illegal or invalid".

However, he said that His Holiness the Dalai Lama in a public statement on 24 September 2011 made it absolutely clear about his reincarnation.

“When I am about ninety I will consult the high Lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the Tibetan public, and other concerned people who follow Tibetan Buddhism,… I (H.H. the Dalai Lama) shall leave clear written instructions about this. Bear in mind that, apart from the reincarnation recognized through such legitimate methods, no recognition or acceptance should be given to a candidate chosen for political ends by anyone, including those in the People’s Republic of China,” said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) expressed deep concern over Chinese officials’ announcement to close the “Tibet Autonomous Region” from February 20 to March 31, 2012 for foreigners as well as the close off of Tibetan areas in Sichuan and Qinghai provinces where protests, crackdown and self-immolations occurred.

Mr. Gianfranco Fattorini, a representative of PEC quoted the Chief of the Chinese Communist Party in Tibet who affirmed that "Mobile phones, Internet and other measures for the management of new media need to be fully implemented to maintain the public's interests and national security."

One journalist team reported that their car was suspiciously rammed by another vehicle. Reporters have been followed, questioned for hours, asked to write confessions and had their material confiscated.

He said that this is a clear violation of China’s regulations governing foreign reporters, which allow them to travel freely and interview anyone prepared to be interviewed. He urged the Chinese authorities to provide free access to foreign journalists to Tibetan areas as such a guarantee will allow the international community to judge the situation with reports from as many as possible different observers.

On 13th March afternoon, a side event was held by three NGOs inside the UN building to discuss on human rights situation in Tibet. In this event, 6 minutes video footage of the Central Tibetan Administration showing Chinese security forces brutal treatment of Tibetans during 2008 protests and self-immolations was screened. Read here for full report on this side event.

 


 

 

 

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